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Media Contact: Dina Horwedel, Public Education Director, 303-426-890

American Indian College Fund Receives 2008 Denver Award and Mention in USA Today

The American Indian College Fund has been selected for the 2008 Denver Award in the Foundations category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).

The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

“The American Indian College Fund works hard to meet high national standards of giving while working to better serve our American Indian students and the nation's 32 tribal colleges and universities. This is indeed an honor and a reflection of our hard work to achieve our mission,” said Richard B. Williams, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.

The USLBA is a Washington D.C.-based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USLBA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USLBA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Its mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

The American Indian College Fund was also one of two Colorado nonprofits named in USA Today's “Sharing in the USA ” section which appeared on newsstands October 7. The special section looks at the growing trend with minors giving, how the economic situation effects philanthropy, and lists several organizations and their missions, including the Fund. The section also lists the Fund in the Better business Bureau's (BBB) advertisement, titled “Start with Trust,” that lists organizations approved by the BBB as meeting its 20 rigorous Wise Giving Alliance standards.

The Fund has worked hard to meet the high standards of giving set forth by the BBB and is proud of these achievements, which help it to raise funds for American Indian student scholarships.