20+ Years of Partnership

Here at Pendleton, we have had the honor of partnering with The American Indian College Fund for more than two decades. In that time our scholarship program has raised more than $1.6 million dollars for scholarships to tribal colleges. Through this scholarship program, recipients are able to cover most of their yearly tuition and books. Our commitment is strong and ongoing, and recognized in the following letter from the President and CEO, American Indian College Fund, Cheryl Crazy Bull.

Pendleton’s American Indian College Fund Endowed Scholarship Exceeds $1 Million

The American Indian College Fund and Pendleton Woolen Mills have enjoyed a relationship for more than 20 years. Our collaboration has made Native people more visible by introducing the public to beautiful blanket creations that are reflective of Native cultures and histories through its American Indian College Fund blanket collection, which also includes tribal college student-designed blankets and blankets from the Nike N7 collection. As part of its relationship with the College Fund, Pendleton created an endowed scholarship to support Native higher education which, as of this writing, has exceeded $1 million. We are delighted that Pendleton has committed to ensuring that Native people have access to a higher education. We know this endowed scholarship will continue to grow and support Native students in their educations for generations to come.

Our relationship started with blankets. Pendleton offers blankets in stunning designs and colors with meaningful stories inspired by Native people from across the nation in the American Indian College Fund collection. Pendleton blankets are cherished by families for generations for their quality, designs, and stories—and while creating greater visibility of Native people, the line also creates awareness of the American Indian College Fund’s mission to invest in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities.

Today 14.5% of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) have a college degree—half that of other groups (35%), according to the U.S. Census. At the American Indian College Fund, we know that education is the answer to creating vibrant Native communities and are committed to closing that gap through scholarship support and programs to support Native students’ academic success and career achievement. And thanks to the longtime support of Pendleton, 1,250 American Indian and Alaska Native students have received scholarship support for higher education since 2003.

As we celebrate the $1 million milestone of Pendleton’s endowed scholarship, we know this is not an ending but a beginning. We are blessed to have had the friendship and financial support of Pendleton for more than 20 years and we look forward to seeing how the seeds they have planted will blossom as we continue to work together to help Native students achieve their dreams.

Cheryl Crazy Bull

President and CEO, American Indian College Fund

How to Contribute

If you’d like to support the College Fund, you can do that through direct donation.

Information is here: Donating to the College Fund

If you’re interested in Pendleton’s College Fund blankets you can see our current selection at http://www.pendleton-usa.com – if there is a blanket you are hoping to find that isn’t featured on our website, please contact the Pendleton Home store at 503-535-5444. We will do our best to locate it for you at one of our Pendleton stores.