Ford Motor Company Fund Awards $60,000 to American Indian College Fund

DENVER--July 23, 2013: Ford Motor Company Fund has awarded a $50,000 grant to the American Indian College Fund for Native student scholarships through the Ford Motor Company Blue Oval Scholars Program and an additional $10,000 to support the American Indian College Fund's Flame of Hope Gala on October 10, 2013, which raises money for student scholarships.

The Blue Oval Scholars Program awards eight tribal college scholarships and four mainstream university scholarships of $3,000 each for Native students studying science, technology, engineering, math, or business in a two or four-year degree program with a 3.0 grade point average. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate a commitment to American Indian communities or volunteer service.

"We are deeply honored to be recognized for our commitment and 13 years of contributions to the American Indian College Fund," said Mike Schmidt, Director of Education, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. "At Ford, we understand that the strength of our country relies on the quality of its leaders and the education they receive. We are pleased to support Native American students in their pursuit of higher education."

"The Ford Motor Company Fund's commitment to Native education for 13 years in these important fields of study is instrumental to our students' success in fields that help impact the future of our nation as well as Native communities," said Dr. Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. For more than 60 years, Ford Motor Company Fund has operated with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, 25,000 Ford employees and dealers work on projects each year that better their communities in 30 countries. For more information, visit Ford Community.

About the American Indian College Fund With its credo "Educating the Mind and Spirit," The American Indian College Fund is the premier scholarship organization for Native students. Created in 1989 to provide scholarships and support for the nation's 34 tribal colleges, the Fund receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators, including the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, and received its third consecutive four-star rating from Charity Navigator. It provides more than 4,200 Native students with scholarships annually.