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American Indian College Fund

CharityWatch rating issued
March 2026

Top-Rated Charity
B+
CharityWatch Rating
Our independent rating based
on a number of factors.
 
76%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$21
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

American Indian College Fund
8333 Greenwood Blvd
Denver, CO 80221

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

Invests in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2025

Program Percentage: 76%

The percentage of American Indian College Fund's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$62,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $21

How many dollars American Indian College Fund spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$59,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
American Indian College Fund Audited Financial Statements 52-1573446
American Indian College Fund IRS Form 990 52-1573446
Entity: American Indian College Fund
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 52-1573446
Entity: American Indian College Fund
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 52-1573446

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
American Indian College Fund
meets governance benchmarks.
 
American Indian College Fund
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Cheryl Crazy Bull President / CEO $429,924
2 Tamela A. Miller-Carlson CFO $270,100
3 Nancy Jo Houk Chief Marketing & Development Officer $254,950
1
Name: Cheryl Crazy Bull
Title: President / CEO
Compensation: $429,924
2
Name: Tamela A. Miller-Carlson
Title: CFO
Compensation: $270,100
3
Name: Nancy Jo Houk
Title: Chief Marketing & Development Officer
Compensation: $254,950

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the American Indian College Fund audit of June 30, 2025 (Note 9, In-kind Contributions):

"During the year ended June 30, 2025, we received donated television airtime and magazine and newspaper print space, with a total estimated value of $1,155,248 to broadcast and publish our public service announcements.

During the year ended June 30, 2025, we received donated property with a total estimated value of $465,000, with the intent to sell. Subsequent to year-end, on September 11, 2025, the donated property was sold..."

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the American Indian College Fund audit of June 30, 2025 (Note 11, Related Party Transactions):

"Certain members of our Board of Trustees also serve as tribal college presidents. Those colleges are eligible, along with all other tribal colleges, to receive scholarship and other direct funding awards from the College Fund. Typically, awards are distributed on an objective or equal basis among all the tribal colleges. During the year ended 2025, $8,021,359 was distributed to tribal colleges whose presidents also serve as Trustees for the College Fund.

During the year ended June 30, 2025, a member of our Board of Trustees served as an executive and owner of a company from which we purchased $2,063,578 of advertising, social media, and consulting services. In addition, during the year ended June 30, 2025, members of the Board of Trustees made contributions to the College Fund totaling $148,188." 


According to the American Indian College Fund tax filing of June 30, 2025, IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Part IV, Business Transactions Involving Interested Persons:

Vladimir Jones was paid $2,063,578 by American Indian College Fund. The "Relationship between Interested Person and Organization" is reported as "Entity owned more than 35% by a Board Member" The "Description of Transaction" is reported as "Provided consulting, social media, and advertising services"

According to the American Indian College Fund tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, the College Fund reports re: Compensation, Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II):

The College Fund reports providing "bonus & incentive compensation" to six individuals during 2024. Cheryl Crazy Bull, President & CEO, received $39,339 of bonus and incentive compensation with total reported compensation of $429,924. The remaining five individuals received between $9,642 and $11,038 with total reported compensation ranging from $205,299 to $270,100.