Mackenzie Scott donates $70 million to support Native American students
The unrestricted gift will fund tribal college scholarships, career training and a $20 million endowment as part of a seven-year plan.
Mackenzie Scott, through her philanthropic organisation Yield Giving, has donated $70 million to the American Indian College Fund to expand educational opportunities for Native American students, according to the Times of India.
The unrestricted gift is part of a seven-year plan to strengthen tribal communities and students. It will support tribal college and university (TCU) scholarships, career training, academic and wellness programmes, and a $20 million designated endowment.
The American Indian College Fund said the plan includes college success coaching, internships, mentoring and a family-friendly campus initiative. Tribal colleges will also receive support for faculty development, research and curriculum.
Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, said the gift provides resources to build on their history of supporting Native students. She added that the plan was built by listening to stakeholders to ensure students can graduate and enter careers to serve their communities.
The donation comes as a report by the American Indian College Fund and Brookings noted that less than 1 per cent of U.S. philanthropic investment serves Indian Country. U.S. Census data shows 16 per cent of American Indian and Alaska Native adults have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 33 per cent nationally.
