American Indian Higher Education
American Indian Higher Education, also known as the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), is based in Alexandria, Virginia. Founded in 1973 by six tribally controlled colleges, it has grown to 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in the United States. AIHEC works collectively with TCUs on higher education policy and supports member and emerging institutions through technical assistance, networking, and program initiatives.
Key facts about American Indian Higher Education
In short: American Indian Higher Education gave $4.0M across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $109K), top state New Mexico. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 84-0640326
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,027,355
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- Average grant
- $108,847
- Median grant
- $47,607
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (8 of 37, 2025)
- Total assets
- $34,532,502
- Primary geography
- New Mexico (25% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$34.5M
+7.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.0M
+87.5% YoY
Grant Count
37
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$109K
+87.5% YoY
Is American Indian Higher Education open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 37 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $130K; repeat grants $103K. How we count
Medians: $64K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
AIHEC describes itself as the collective spirit and unifying voice of the nation’s TCUs. Its stated mission is to provide leadership and influence public policy on American Indian higher education through advocacy, research, and program initiatives; promote and strengthen Indigenous languages, cultures, communities, and Tribal Nations; and serve member institutions and emerging TCUs. Its stated vision is a unified group of TCUs that cultivates student success and perpetuates the lifeways and sovereignty of Tribal Nations.
AIHEC’s 2024 grants included support for TCU-related initiatives and pass-through funding. The recipient organizations’ own missions illustrate the kinds of institutions receiving support: Sitting Bull College says it builds intellectual capital through education and promotes economic and social development; Salish Kootenai College says it provides postsecondary opportunities for Native Americans and promotes community development and the cultures of the Confederated Tribes of the Flathead Nation; and Northwest Indian College says it meets the academic, vocational, and cultural needs of Native American communities in the Northwest and promotes Indigenous self-determination and knowledge.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, AIHEC reported 37 grants totaling $2,147,927. Grants ranged from $9,750 to $1,300,000, with a median of $19,500. The largest listed award was $1,300,000 to American Indian Law Center Inc. in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for “Pass Thru Funding.” Other notable awards included $78,350 to Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College for “TCU Building Bridges,” $71,740 to the University of North Dakota for “HHS INNOV.PROG. TO ENHANCE RESE.TR.,” and $51,500 to Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College for “SGU Correction TCU ISC.”
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from American Indian Higher Education
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AIHEC’s work serves its 37 U.S. Tribal Colleges and Universities. In 2024, the largest shares of its grant dollars went to recipients in New Mexico (63%), North Dakota (14%), Montana (6%), Michigan (5%), and Minnesota (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 37 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
140 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNITED TRIBES TECHNICAL COLLEGE Bismarck, ND | FI&R FUNDING | $535,492 |
| NAVAJO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY Crownpoint, NM | FI&R FUNDING | $534,892 |
| FOND DU LAC TRIBAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE Cloquet, MN | FI&R FUNDING | $466,892 |
| INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS (IAIA) Santa Fe, NM | FI&R FUNDING | $457,142 |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA Grand Forks, ND | HHS INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE RESEARCH TRAINING II | $268,043 |
| ECONOMIC MODELING LLC Moscow, ID | GATES IFS | $197,500 |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATORS Washington, DC | GATES IFS | $172,700 |
| NORTHWEST INDIAN COLLEGE Bellingham, WA | TCU COP INIGENOUS T&L | $147,946 |
| NEBRASKA INDIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE Macy, NE | NON-RESTRICTED FLEX FUNDS | $146,123 |
| RED LAKE NATION COLLEGE Red Lake, MN | TCU-BUILDING BRIDGES | $137,200 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $32,140,635 | $12,013,923 | $11,315,278 | $2,147,927 (37) |
| 2023 | $28,935,465 | $8,547,379 | $9,910,963 | $3,026,015 (32) |
| 2022 | $27,893,635 | $12,179,694 | $8,018,803 | $2,387,438 (14) |
Filing type: 990T
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $34,532,502 | $32,140,635 | $28,935,465 |
| Revenue | $14,334,157 | $12,013,923 | $8,547,379 |
| Expenses | $14,146,873 | $11,315,278 | $9,910,963 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $490,808 | $500,156 | $818,866 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Carrie Billy, President and CEO; Tina Cooper, VP of Finance and Administration; Erica J. Moore, Vice President for IIT; Ahniwake L. Rose, VP of Congressional and Federal Relations; and David Yarlott Jr., President/Chair.
AIHEC states that its board is composed of presidents of accredited U.S.-based TCUs and that the board elects an executive committee.
American Indian Higher Education is led by Ahniwake L. Rose, President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2024); 10 of 46 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ahniwake L. Rose
President & CEO
Vp-Congressional & Federal Relation → President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$148K (2024) → $283K (2025)
David Yarlott Jr.
President & Chair
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Phillips
Land-Grant Prg Director
Land-Grant Program Director → Land-Grant Prg Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$105K (2023) → $232K (2025)
Mary Depalma
Program Director
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$138K (2024) → $133K (2025)
Jana Marie Hanson
Senior Director Member & Student Svcs.
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$140K (2025)
Kea Shantay Magoh
Director Ppl. & Ppl. Culture
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$143K (2025)
Tina Cooper
Vice President of Finance & Administrator
Vice President, Finance & Administrator → Vice President of Finance & Administration, 2020
Vice President of Finance & Administration → Vice President of Finance & Administrator, 2024
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$157K (2019) → $242K (2025)
Anthony A. Quander
Senior Accountant
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$133K (2024) → $124K (2025)
Frank Boccovi
Senior Accountant
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$134K (2024) → $112K (2025)
Bradley Shreve
Managing Editor - Tcj
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$102K (2025)
Myrna Ramos
Finance & Acct. Manager
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$122K (2025)
Carla Sineway
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Roessel
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cory Sangrey-Billy
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Lindquist
Member-At-Large
Member at Large → Member-At-Large, 2022
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan King
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elmer Guy
Vice Chair
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin Guillory
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurel Vermillion
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leander R. McDonald
Secretary
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lori Ann Sherman
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Oltrogge
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Robertson
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Martin
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Russell Swagger
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandra L. Boham
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Twyla Baker
Board Member
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donna Brown
Board Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Duane Bedell
Board Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Helen Zaikina Montgomery
Board Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justina Wilhelm
Board Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lane Azure
Board Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Manoj Patil
Board Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monte Monteith
Board Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monte Randall
Board Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sean Chandler
Board Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tamarah Pfeiffer
Board Member
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anna Sheppard
Board Member
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Caldwell
Board Member
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Haven Gourneau
Board Member
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anita Hanson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Hall
Board Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Craig Smith
Board Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Frank
Board Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eva Flying
Board Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rhonda Labatte
Board Member
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (29)
- Former: Carrie Billy (2019–2024) — President & CEO
- Former: Algirdas S. Kuslikis (2024) — Senior Associate S.i.
- Former: Erica J. Moore (2024) — Vice President for Iit
- Former: Patrese Atine (2023) — Director of Cong. & Federal Relations
- Former: Lionel Bordeaux (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Richard Littlebear (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas Shortbull (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Karla Bird (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Stephanie Hammitt (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Haven Goumeau (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Stephani Hammit (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Helen Zaikina-Montgomery (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Julia Good Fox (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Lorna Lague (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Martin M. Ahumada (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Paul Trebian (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Marilyn Delgazo (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Carol Murray (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Carole Falcon-Chandler (2019) — Board Member
- Former: James Davis (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Leland Kinter (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Manuka Morgan (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Parish (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Pearl Brower (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Randy Smith (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Raymond Burns (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Bible (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Sherry Allison (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Venida Chenault (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
Contact
Mailing address: 121 Oronoco St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 838-0400
Website: https://aihec.org
Frequently asked questions about American Indian Higher Education
How much does American Indian Higher Education give each year?
American Indian Higher Education gave $4.0M across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.1M across 37 grants.
What is American Indian Higher Education's typical grant size?
American Indian Higher Education's median grant in 2025 was $47,607, and its average grant was $108,847, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from American Indian Higher Education that year got $130K on average.
Where does American Indian Higher Education give grants?
American Indian Higher Education's top state is New Mexico, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were North Dakota (24%) and Minnesota (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Yates, ND (2 grants).
Does American Indian Higher Education give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 37 grants with a stated purpose on American Indian Higher Education's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Non-Restricted Flex Funds" (17 grants), "Gates Ifs" (5 grants) and "TCU Building Bridges" (5 grants).
Who are American Indian Higher Education's largest grantees?
American Indian Higher Education's largest 2025 grantees include United Tribes Technical College ($535,492), Navajo Technical University ($534,892) and Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College ($466,892), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is American Indian Higher Education?
American Indian Higher Education reported $34.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.3M.
What does American Indian Higher Education fund?
AIHEC describes itself as the collective spirit and unifying voice of the nation’s TCUs. Its stated mission is to provide leadership and influence public policy on American Indian higher education through advocacy, research, and program initiatives; promote and strengthen Indigenous languages, cultures, communities, and Tribal Nations; and serve member institutions and emerging TCUs. Its stated vision is a unified group of TCUs that cultivates student success and perpetuates the lifeways and so…
How do I apply for a grant from American Indian Higher Education?
In filing year 2024, AIHEC reported 37 grants totaling $2,147,927. Grants ranged from $9,750 to $1,300,000, with a median of $19,500. The largest listed award was $1,300,000 to American Indian Law Center Inc. in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for “Pass Thru Funding.” Other notable awards included $78,350 to Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College for “TCU Building Bridges,” $71,740 to the University of North Dakota for “HHS INNOV.PROG. TO ENHANCE RESE.TR.,” and $51,500 to Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College …
What is American Indian Higher Education's EIN?
American Indian Higher Education's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-0640326. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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