Investment scales Native Forward’s 55-Year impact, as scholarship demands surge 35%

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Native Forward Scholars Fund, the largest direct provider of scholarships to Native students, announced today a transformative $50 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, marking her second major gift to the organization. The investment underscores Native Forward’s long-term impact, empowering over 22,000 scholars from more than 500 Tribes across all 50 states. This gift strengthens Native Forward’s ability to support Native scholars and advance economic mobility, self-determination, and Tribal sovereignty.

With Scott’s initial investment, Native Forward transformed its reach and impact: launching six new scholarships and matching another to establish a $2 million endowment fund that will sustain opportunities for generations to come. Every scholar now receives comprehensive wraparound services, and the organization rebranded to reflect its mission of funding and empowering the next generation of Native leaders while honoring the histories and cultures of Native communities. The organization also purchased its own building, generating significant cost savings that are redirected to student support. These bold steps have fueled record growth and expanded Native Forward’s ability to serve more students than ever before. Yet, with scholarship requests surging 35% this year, the need has never been greater. This new investment will allow Native Forward to meet more of that urgent demand while continuing to strengthen the systems that help scholars thrive.

“We are incredibly grateful for MacKenzie Scott’s commitment to trust-based philanthropy,” said Angelique Albert (Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes), CEO of Native Forward Scholars Fund. “This unrestricted gift allows us to meet Native students where they are, respond to their most pressing needs, and ensure they not only enroll, but thrive and graduate.”

 Lillian Sparks Robinson, Board Chair of Native Forward Scholars Fund and a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, added, “This gift reflects not only the growing recognition of Native Forward’s impact, but also the trust that national leaders like MacKenzie Scott place in our ability to deliver long-term change. For more than five decades, Native Forward has ensured that Native students have the resources and support to succeed in higher education and beyond. As Board Chair, I am confident this investment will strengthen our capacity to reach more scholars and the next generation of Native leaders.”

Since its founding in 1969, Native Forward has provided scholarships, culturally congruent programming, emergency relief funding, and mentorship opportunities to Native undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. These supports have led to graduation rates of 69% among undergraduates—compared to the national average of 41% for Native students—and 95% among graduate students.

The $50 million investment represents MacKenzie Scott’s longstanding commitment to Native Forward Scholars Fund, further demonstrating the critical role of philanthropy in ensuring Native students can access and complete higher education.

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Native Forward Scholars Fund is the largest direct provider of scholarships to Native students, advancing economic mobility, self-determination, and Tribal sovereignty across Native communities. The organization is committed to ensuring that every Native student who wants to pursue higher education has the resources to do so. Over 55 years, it has empowered over 22,000 scholars from more than 500 Tribes in all 50 states and contributed to over 1,700 law degrees and more than 2,200 PhD degrees. By pairing scholarships with meaningful, culturally congruent student support and programming, Native Forward has succeeded in increasing the graduation rates of undergraduate students to 69%, compared to the national average of 41% for Native students, and has boosted the rate for graduate students to 95%.