The Walt Disney Company Invests in Young Native American Leaders with a $250,000 Commitment to the American Indian College Fund

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Apr 11, 2015, 10:00 ET

DENVER, April 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Indian College Fund (the College Fund) announced that The Walt Disney Company has committed $250,000 to create The Walt Disney Company American Indian College Fund Scholarship Program. The program will provide Native American and Alaska Native students who have financial need with multi-year support to attend tribal colleges and universities nationwide.

The donation, announced at the American Indian College Fund's 25^th Anniversary Gala in Los Angeles today, will also support the "25 in 25" capital campaign to expand the College Fund's student initiatives, including professional development, networking opportunities, internship programming and a new scholar and alumni program.

"The College Fund is so honored to be the first American Indian organization to team with The Walt Disney Company on the implementation of a scholarship program for Native American students," said Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. "Collaborations like this help dreams come true and allow our students to experience a little of the magic that is Disney."

"When we looked at the American Indian College Fund we saw not only an organization doing important work, but one that benefits all tribes and educates future leaders and storytellers," said Paul Richardson, Chief Diversity Officer of The Walt Disney Company. "Their mission aligns with our commitment to the inclusion, celebration, and growth of people from all different backgrounds and cultures."

Students can begin the application process online at www.collegefund.org. Please follow the conversation at @CollegeFund, @CitizenDisney and #DisneyAmericanIndianCollegeFundScholars.

About the American Indian College Fund
Founded in 1989, the American Indian College Fund has been the nation's largest provider of support for Native higher education for 25 years. The College Fund provides an average of 6,000 scholarships annually to provide access to a college education and support for the nation's 34 accredited tribal colleges and universities located on or near Indian reservations. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. For more information, please visit www.collegefund.org.

About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $48.8 billion in its last fiscal year.

SOURCE American Indian College Fund