Indigenous People's Education Fund
Accepts applications
Indigenous People's Education Fund is a private foundation in Brooklyn, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $499,400 in 34 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $130,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$499,400
- Number of grants34
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$130,000
- Assets$13.3 million
- New grantees33%
Giving in 2025 was up from $231,606 the year before.
33% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $138,000 | 3 | $5.9 million |
| 2024 | $231,606 | 7 | $7.0 million |
| 2025 | $499,400 | 34 | $13.3 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Noreen Weiss or James Wickenhauser 168 Clinton St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (646) 513-3284, jwickenhauser@theknowledgefund.org |
| What to submit | Applications for undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate scholarships are available by request and on our website. Submit completed application by email to either jwickenhauser@theknowledgefund.org or to nweiss@theknowledgefund.org. |
| Restrictions | The foundation will provide scholarships and other educational support to enrolled members of any state or federally-recognized native american tribe, with priority given to members of navajo and lakota tribes. The foundation shall provide scholarships and other educational support to college, graduate and post-graduate students, teachers and schools. The foundation will consider applicants in any field of study but may prioritize those students who are pursuing a field of study related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics ("stem"), medicine or law, including teachers in those fields, for undergraduate, graduate and professional programs at an accredited institution of higher learning, and/or may support schools and/or pre-college stem education and school support. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Indigenous People's Education Fund funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 16 states, the most to Colorado. It also paid $5,000 in 1 grant to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 4 | $185,000 |
| New Mexico | 5 | $113,000 |
| Michigan | 2 | $77,400 |
| Utah | 2 | $25,000 |
| Arizona | 4 | $20,000 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $20,000 |
| North Dakota | 3 | $15,000 |
| Alaska | 1 | $5,000 |
| California | 1 | $5,000 |
| Louisiana | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Indian College Fund | Scholarship awards to eligible students in the native pathways program to facilitate, encourage and support native high school seniors to attend college. | $130,000 |
| American Indian Science and Engineering Society | Scholarship awards to eligible students in the native pathways program to facilitate, encourage and support native high school seniors to attend college. | $90,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to university of michigan | $72,400 |
| American Indian College Fund | Support general mission | $40,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to university of utah | $20,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to fort lewis college | $10,000 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | Scholarships | $10,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to louisiana state university | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to the university of tulsa | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to brigham young university | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to tulsa community college | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to baylor university | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to university of oklahoma | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to arizona state university | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to university of arizona | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to cameron university | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to navajo technical university | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to alfred university | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to turtle mountain community college | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to university of british columbia | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to university of north dakota | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to arizona state university | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to colorado state university | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to pennsylvania stat university | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to university of north dakota | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to university of southern california- la | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to university of arizona | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to university of alaska anchorage | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to university of new mexico | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to michigan tech | $5,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to scc milford | $3,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to wyotech | $3,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to perry technical institute | $3,000 |
| Individual | Scholarship to central new mexico community college | $3,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Noreen Weiss
- James Wickenhauser
Questions people ask
Does Indigenous People's Education Fund accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does Indigenous People's Education Fund give?
$499,400 in tax year 2025, across 34 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Indigenous People's Education Fund?
Its 2025 filing lists Noreen Weiss (Executive Director/Treasurer) and James Wickenhauser (Grants Officer/Secretary).
What does Indigenous People's Education Fund fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education and seniors.