Tribal colleges were created to fight Native Americans educational failure, cultural loss and high rates of poverty. About 85 percent of tribal college students live at or below the poverty level. Unemployment in the areas served by tribal colleges can reach 80 percent. Now, tribal colleges provide students with personal attention and cultural support they need to continue, despite significant odds attributable largely to profound poverty. Ninety percent of tribal college graduates find jobs or pursue further education.
Tribal colleges credit their mix of fully-accredited academics and Native culture.
This aid directly supported more than 5,000 students. The College Fund also supports endowments and public awareness, as well as college programs in Native cultural preservation and teacher training. On September 16, the College Fund was named a partner in the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. Lilly Endowment is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. In keeping with the wishes of its founders, Lilly Endowment exists to support the causes of religion, education and community development.