Native Forward Scholars Fund just got a huge boost from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott – a $50 million unrestricted gift that will be invested entirely into Native higher education. The organization plans to use $10 million of this gift to expand its scholarships over the next five years, which will add about $2 million annually to its funding. This is especially important right now, as Native Forward is seeing unprecedented demand for scholarship assistance, with its scholars facing an average unmet financial need of $26,000.
The remaining $40 million will be put into a permanent endowment, which will provide ongoing support for Native students in the long term. This decision reflects a key principle in Native communities – planning for future generations. By investing in both immediate scholarship expansion and a permanent endowment, Native Forward is addressing the current needs of its students while also thinking about those who will come after them. This approach will help ensure that Native students have access to the resources they need to succeed in higher education.
Native Forward’s support goes beyond just financial aid – it also provides one-on-one advising, mentorship, and culturally centered programming to help students succeed academically and stay connected to their communities. The organization has already seen some impressive results, with graduation rates well above national averages. Now, with this new gift, Native Forward is aiming to grow its permanent endowment to $100 million, which will help even more Native students pursue higher education and become leaders in their communities.