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Native Forward Scholars Fund

EIN 85-0222386 · Albuquerque, NM

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TRIBAL CITIZENS SEEKING HIGHER EDUCATION AND SUPPORT THEM IN OBTAINING UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, AND PROFESSIONAL DEGREES. WE PARTNER WITH TRIBES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS TO ENSURE THE GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY OF SCHOLARSHIPS.

Income
$15.9 million
Spending
$19.1 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
10.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
31
Volunteers
274
Highest pay
$348,694, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $11.4 million spent. AWARD AND DISBURSEMENT OF SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO TRIBAL CITIZENS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES; PRIMARILY THOSE SEEKING GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL DEGREES. IN THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR, 1,252 STUDENTS WERE SUPPORTED AT VARIOUS LEVELS.
  2. $5.8 million spent. PROVIDES A STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICE AND RESOURCE PROGRAM THAT ENGAGES HIGH SCHOOL, UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS. ALONG WITH THESE SERVICES, THE NATIVE FORWARD WEBSITE HOSTS THE WEB RESOURCE CENTER WHICH ISSUES A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF EDUCATION AND CAREER PLANNING RESOURCES FOR ALL STUDENTS.STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES:ONE OF NATIVE FORWARD'S CORE COMPETENCIES AND PRIORITY AREAS OF FOCUS LIES IN COLLEGE ACCESS. WE WORK WITH INDIVIDUAL TRIBAL CITIZENS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH ACCESS TO FUNDING, RESOURCES, AND INFORMATION.- ACCESS TO SCHOLARSHIPS/FELLOWSHIP FUNDING THROUGH EFFECTIVE SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATION. MARKETING AND OUTREACH TO NATIONAL NATIVE AUDIENCES. EFFICIENT APPLICATION, REVIEW, AND AWARDING PROCESS, INCLUDING DISTRIBUTION, AND TRACKING.- PROVIDE ONE-TO-ONE OUTREACH TO STUDENTS, INCLUDING FINANCIAL AID ASSISTANCE, APPLICATION SUPPORT, AND ADVOCATING FOR OUR STUDENTS THROUGH IMPROVING POLICIES, REDUCING OBSTACLES, AND INCREASING ON-CAMPUS SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO TRIBAL CITIZENS.- ONLINE STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER IS AN ONLINE COLLECTION OF BEST PRACTICES, STRATEGIES AND ADVICE SPECIFICALLY TAILORED FOR TRIBAL CITIZEN SUCCESSES THAT SUPPLEMENT OUR ONE-TO-ONE SERVICES AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE THROUGH THE ENTIRE ACADEMIC JOURNEY.NATIVE FORWARD'S BEST IN CLASS STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ARE WHAT DIFFERENTIATES US WHEN IT COMES TO COLLEGE SUCCESS. WE HAVE SPENT THE PAST 26 YEARS REFINING SUPPORT SERVICES TO TRIBAL CITIZENS AND EXCEL AT PROVIDING THESE SERVICES TO ALL OUR STUDENTS.- PROVIDE ADJACENT HIGH IMPACT, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES TO EACH STUDENT THROUGH OUR TARGETED PROGRAM.- PROVIDE FINANCIAL AID COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE TO SCHOLARS WITH NATIVE FORWARD APPLICATIONS AND FAFSA, PROVIDE STANDARD FINANCIAL LITERACY INFORMATION, ASSIST STUDENTS WITH AWARD REVISIONS AND COA ADJUSTMENTS, AND RESOLVE ANY ISSUES WITH AWARD DISBURSEMENTS.- PROVIDE ONE-TO-ONE OUTREACH TO STUDENTS UTILIZING A THREE-TOUCHPOINT SYSTEM TO ASSIST STUDENTS THROUGH THE MOST DIFFICULT POINTS OF THEIR ACADEMIC JOURNEY. THIS CONTACT IS DONE THROUGH EMAIL, FLYERS, SOCIAL MEDIA, DIRECT CALLS AND SURVEYS.- INSTITUTIONAL OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY ARE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE IN CONNECTING TO CAMPUS RESOURCES SUCH AS TUTORING, MENTORING, FINANCIAL AID, PEER GROUPS ETC.- TRANSCRIPT REVIEW TO ASSURE STUDENTS SUCCESS, WITH TARGETED "BACK ON TRACK" INITIATIVE TO ASSIST STUDENT WITH ON CAMPUS RESOURCES.- INCENTIVE PROGRAM- CELEBRATE STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THROUGH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, INCLUDING THE AWARDING OF STOLES, ACHIEVEMENT MEDALS, AND THROUGH THE STUDENT OF THE PROGRAM.- EACH MONTH NATIVE FORWARD HIGHLIGHTS STUDENTS IN THE STUDENT OF THE MONTH PROGRAM.- NATIVE FORWARD ALSO NOTIFIES STUDENTS OF SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS INTERNSHIPS AND CAREER OPENINGS AS PART OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.BACK ON TRACK PROGRAM:ACADEMIC INTERVENTION THROUGH OUR BACK ON TRACK PROGRAM MAY OCCUR IF STUDENTS STRUGGLE TO REMAIN IN GOOD STANDING WITH THEIR INSTITUTION, AND WE CONNECT STUDENTS WITH COMMUNITY AND CAMPUS RESOURCES INCLUDING TUTORING, MENTORING, AND CONNECTION TO OTHER TRIBAL CITIZENS AROUND THE COUNTRY.NATIVE FORWARD SPECIALIZES IN PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT SERVICES TO SUPPORT AWARD RECIPIENTS TO ENSURE THEY THRIVE THROUGHOUT THEIR ACADEMIC JOURNEY AND SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCH THEIR CAREERS. WE RECOGNIZE AND UNDERSTAND THE EXPERIENCE OF TRIBAL CITIZENS ENTERING WESTERN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS, AND WE CONTINUOUSLY STRIVE TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE NETWORKS AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO MAKE THEIR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY A TRANSFORMATIONAL AND EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE. OUR EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN ADMINISTERING STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES HAS MADE OUR TEAM UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF TRIBAL CITIZENS AND QUICKLY ADAPT TO PROVIDE THE MOST RELEVANT AND RESPONSIVE PROGRAMMING TO BEST SUPPORT THEM.2024-2025 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED DURING THE YEAR, WHILE 1,252 STUDENTS RECEIVED AWARDS.ADVISE AND COLLABORATE WITH U.S. GRADUATE SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS TO ENSURE STRONG SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TRIBAL CITIZENS PURSUING GRADUATE DEGREES AND POSTGRADUATE AND EMPLOYMENT ADVISEMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1973.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.