American Indian College Fund Receives $50,000 from Citi Foundation

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$50,000 Grant

Native Brief: DENVER - The American Indian College Fund has received a $50,000 grant from the Citi Foundation's Scholarship & Career Exploration Program.

This program provides scholarships to Native students attending the following tribal colleges and universities in South Dakota: Sisseton Wahpeton College, Oglala Lakota College, or Sinte Gleska University.

As part of the grant, The Citi Foundation will also sponsor a one-day career fair at a Sinte Gleska University in the spring of 2012. Citi representatives, tribal program administrators, and city and county department officials from the region will introduce students to career opportunities around South Dakota and beyond.

"Education is the universal economic development tool, and life is all about developing strong and successful partnerships. Due to the efforts of the American Indian College Fund and through investments in tribal schools and Native students from the private sector and companies like Citi, we are slowly seeing a change in the number of Native Americans earning post-secondary education degrees," said Ruth A Christopherson, Senior Vice President, Citi Community Development. "The lives of thousands of people in Indian Country are being transformed through the American Indian College Fund, and Citi is proud to count the Fund as its longtime partner."

"For nearly two decades, the Citi Foundation has supported American Indians in higher education in South Dakota who are attending tribal colleges and universities," said Richard B. Williams, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. "Through the Citi Foundation's involvement, students have a chance to attend college and create a better life for themselves and their families, making a positive and lasting impact in Indian Country."

The Citi Foundation is committed to the economic empowerment of individuals and families, particularly those in need, in the communities where we work so that they can improve their standard of living.

posted August 6, 2011 6:00 am edt