The CIRI Foundation (TCF) distributed more than 330 scholarship and grant awards to CIRI shareholders and descendants for the Fall 2008 term. The awards included scholarships, career upgrade grants and vocational training grants, and totaled $900,000.
“It is truly amazing to think that The CIRI Foundation is able to assist our people in this magnitude as they pursue better lives for themselves and their families through educational opportunities,” said Susan Anderson, TCF president and chief executive officer.
The Foundation is in its 26th year of supporting educational dreams, and since 1983, more than 9,600 awards totaling $13.8 million have been distributed to CIRI original enrollees and descendents seeking post-secondary education and training all over the world.
“Alaska Natives are succeeding and excelling and are taking on the world right there with everyone else,” said Dr. Jeff Gonnason, TCF board chair and one of the original founding board members. “It’s really exciting to see that the vision has become a reality for our people.”
