Sovereign Nations Scholarship Fund Endowment

American Indians share a long history of philanthropy. Whether generosity was demonstrated by holding a giveaway or a potlatch, a person's value was measured not by what they owned, but rather what they gave away.

The Sovereign Nations Scholarship Endowment (SNSE) is a permanent endowment supported by Indian Nations, businesses, foundations and individual donors.

A student drum group at Salish Kootenai College sings an honor song during a building dedication ceremony.

• The SNSFE will provide scholarships to American Indian students in perpetuity.
• SNSFE Scholarships are available to students of any Indian nation, major, undergraduate, graduate or professional school, who are attending either tribal colleges and mainstream universities.

History
In 2001, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community made history by donating $900,000 to launch the Sovereign Nations Scholarship Fund. The American Indian College Fund set a goal to raise $10 million for the endowment.

The Challenge
In 2005, the Shakopee community made an additional $600,000 challenge grant, offering to match the funding if Indian nations, businesses, foundations, and individual donors also supported the Sovereign Nations Scholarship Fund Endowment.

In 2006, the Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay generously responded to the challenge grant with a gift of $25,000 to support SNSFE. And in 2007, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Sioux Community gave another $300,000 challenge grant. In 2008 the San Manuel Mission Band of Indians met the challenge with a $100,000 grant.

How You Can Help
When the wise leaders of our tribes made decisions, they considered the future of our people. The SNSFE honors our ancestors’ belief by providing educational opportunities for our people in perpetuity.

Your gift to the American Indian College Fund to support the Sovereign Nations Scholarship Fund will be a gift that will give forever in the tradition of the true Indian way of giving.

Help us reach our goal by giving generously.

Contact Casey Lozar to learn more about the Sovereign Nations Scholarship Fund Endowment at 1-800-776-3863.