Today’s Honoring Nations Awardee #ThrowbackThursday is dedicated to the Hopi Education Endowment Fund. In November of 2000, the Hopi Tribal Council set a vision in motion of securing a source of funds to ensure educational opportunities would continue to exist for the Hopi people. Through tribal law, Ordinance #54, and as a form of community investment, the Tribal Council created the fund by allocating the first gift of $10 million dollars from tribal coffers into the perpetually endowed fund: The Hopi Education Endowment Fund (HEEF).
In 2006, the Hopi Educational Endowment Fund was recognized by the Honoring Nations program for their efforts in providing financial assistance to Hopi students of all ages in education, research and programs, as well as sponsoring charitable and educational activities. Charged with the mission of cultivating and nurturing the future of Hopi people through education and growing and safeguarding a perpetual source of funding, the Fund has awarded over 2,111 educational grants, totaling $3.3 million in scholarship support.
HEEF embodies many of the principles of good governance; it exists outside of shifting political environments, functions independently from the tribal government while maintaining accountability, and operates under culturally appropriate policies and procedures. Additionally, it uses best practice models for businesses and nonprofits with multiple levels of responsibility and coordination among its governing entities, conducts independent annual audits, performs responsive short- and long-term strategic planning, and reviews ongoing income generating activities.
Importantly, HEEF maximizes self-governance because it is organized under Section 7871 of the Internal Revenue Code; oversight of tribal funds remains under tribal jurisdiction. HEEF demonstrates not only the importance of placing education at the center of a community's priorities, but also how to make the most for your money. By following its lead, other nations can empower their citizens to value philanthropy, utilize special status for profit, and delegate authority to experts without losing oversight privileges. This is more than fund management, it is capacity building at the highest level.
Creating a self-perpetuating fund to support higher education is one way a Native nation can secure its ability to promote education well into the future.
Organizing as an Internal Revenue Code Section 7871 corporation reinforces a tribe's right of self-governance; Section 7871 provides the same non-profit status as 501(c)(3), but makes the corporation subject to tribal (rather than state) law.
Clear lines of accountability and transparent award processes help shield tribal non-profits from politics.
You can find out more about the Hopi Education Endowment Fund on their website at: http://www.hopieducationfund.org/.
You can also access the original Honoring Nations report here.
