Cargill Supports American Indian College Fund with $100,000 Donation to Scholarship Program

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Nov 02, 2010, 07:22 ET

DENVER, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Indian College Fund has received $100,000 from Cargill to continue the Cargill Tribal College Scholarship Program for the 2010-2011 academic year. This program provides much-needed scholarship support to Native students attending the nation's tribal colleges and universities, with particular emphasis on tribal college students who attend institutions where Cargill has a strong business presence.

A portion of the donation is also used for the "Backpacks to Briefcases" program, which provides an opportunity each year for selected scholars to visit Cargill's headquarters and participate in career development workshops and meet company leaders.

"Cargill is committed to creating greater access to quality education for people in our communities," said Margaret Studer, Vice President of Cargill Global Diversity & Inclusion. "Through partnerships like the one we share with the American Indian College Fund, Cargill invests in people and communities around the world. We are proud to be a supporter of the Fund and believe that the scholarships and programs offered will result in increased representation of Native students in higher education."

"It is an honor to continue our partnership with such a forward-thinking, innovative company," said Richard B. Williams, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. "This gift will allow many more Native students to achieve their educational and career goals. We are grateful for Cargill's generosity."

About Cargill

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 131,000 people in 66 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit www.cargill.com.

About Cargill Community Giving

Cargill gives back to communities by contributing 2 percent of its global consolidated pre-tax earnings (based on a three-year trailing average). Cargill donated $57.5 million in 54 countries during its 2010 fiscal year. Cargill provides support to organizations, projects and programs that fall in three focus areas: nutrition and health; education; and environmental stewardship.

About the American Indian College Fund

With its credo "Educating the Mind and Spirit," the American Indian College Fund is the nation's largest private provider of scholarships for American Indian students, providing an average of 6,000 scholarships annually for students seeking to better their lives and communities through education and support to the nation's 33 accredited tribal colleges and universities. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org

SOURCE American Indian College Fund