The third in a series highlighting the CIRI family of nonprofits
A private foundation established 37 years ago by the CIRI Board of Directors, The CIRI Foundation (TCF) has contributed more than $35.5 million for the Alaska Native beneficiaries of CIRI to participate in post-secondary education. TCF offers funding for post-secondary education through scholarships, vocational training grants, individual fellowships, research and other education projects. A variety of village and Tribal scholarships and grants are available as well.
Prior to the establishment of TCF, CIRI awarded scholarships through two programs: the CIRI-H&N Scholarship Program and the CIRI/ARCO Scholarship Program. TCF was incorporated on July 9, 1982.
TCF’s primary purpose was, and continues to be, expanding and enhancing the educational assistance programs made available to original CIRI shareholders and their direct lineal descendants. However, TCF’s Raven Fund, created in 2015, offers funding to other Alaska Native voting shareholders of CIRI.
Individual TCF scholarship and grant opportunities include:
- General scholarships: Awarded to CIRI original enrollees or direct lineal descendants, up to $6,000 per academic year for full-time students and up to $5,500 for part-time students.
- Vocational training grants: Awarded to CIRI original enrollees or direct lineal descendants, up to $5,500 per calendar year for students enrolled in a technical skill-training program.
- Raven Fund: Applicants are eligible for up to $3,000 per term for full-time students and up to $2,500 for part-time students, or up to $5,500 per calendar year for vocational students. High-school students concurrently enrolled in a recognized or accredited college, training program or other authorized post-secondary education course of study are eligible for the Jump Start Award, which awards up to $2,000 per calendar year.
Project grants are offered to nonprofit organizations, Tribal organizations and individuals. They include 1) Education Project Grants, 2) Heritage Project Grants and 3) A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Arts and Culture Project Grants. Grants are available to support projects that affect and/or involve Alaska Native beneficiaries of CIRI and further the education and heritage goals of TCF.
For more information, visit www.thecirifoundation.org.
