DENVER, Colo. — The American Indian College Fund is one of two Indigenous organizations named as grant recipients from the charity organization of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan.

The College Fund announced Dec. 7 that it received a $1 million grant from Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) to support the College Fund’s work helping Indigenous students access a higher education. Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, whose focus is on the self-determination and sovereignty of Native nations, also received a grant. In all, 25 organizations were awarded grants.

According to CZI, the grants support organizations that are “leading the way to advance racial equity, diversity, and
inclusion efforts.”

“Embedding a racial equity lens across CZI’s philanthropic areas of focus will help us drive the impact and results that
we are all working to achieve,” Belinda Stubblefield, CZI’s head of diversity, equity, and inclusion, said in a statement. “As part of this critical work, we are engaging change-makers, community members, and movement builders with deep expertise and lived experience as partners, helping to shape our strategies and actions. We are dedicated to this work for the long term.”

The grants are part of a multiyear, $500 million investment CZI announced in December 2020.

The College Fund, based in Denver, Colorado, is the nation’s largest charity that supports Native higher education.

“Native students give back to their communities through their deep commitment to improving their well-being and that of their families; through their entrepreneurship and work ethic; and through their creative and transformative vision. CZI’s support of equity through this grant helps us support our students as they build better lives,” Cheryl Crazy Bull, president and CEO of the College Fund, said in a statement.