Hopi Education Endowment Fund

"The Hopi Education Endowment Fund grows and protects financial resources to provide every Hopi the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams to assure the future of our sinom (people)."

The Hopi Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) provides financial assistance for citizens of the Hopi Tribe to pursue a college education and to develop educational programming vital for the benefit of Hopi villages and communities. Established in 2000, the HEEF has helped students to earn associate, bachelor, master's, doctorate, and other professional degrees. Annually, the HEEF awards approximately $500,000 in scholarship funding to the Hopi Tribe Grants and Scholarships Program, which serves approximately 120 students. Students that receive HEEF scholarships attend colleges/universities all throughout the United States. The HEEF also funds the IMAGINE Grant program. HEEF IMAGINE Grants are community grants that have been used for projects to enhance the educational attainment of Hopi villages. Donations to the HEEF have helped with:

- Over 600 degrees earned
- Hopi language reacquisition programs
- Traditional farming education
- Leadership development
- Youth/elderly programs

Testimonials

"The future of the Hopi Tribe depends on the future success of our children. We must do all we can to help our children succeed. The Fund can make that success more likely." Wayne Taylor, Jr., Former Chairman/CEO, The Hopi Tribe

"Askwali! Thank you for all of your support in providing a scholarship, not only for me, but for all of the other Hopi scholars! Without this program and funding, we wouldn’t be able to achieve our dreams in pursuing our higher education. I am very thankful for your ongoing support of HEEF’s mission." - Ellyse Fredericks, Fort Lewis College Alumna, Class of 2024

"Because of you all, I am able to do everything that I accomplished in college. I could not have done it without you financially. Being able to pay for the schooling, the tuition, supplies such as the laptop, printers, etc. In addition to that, the care packages that the HEEF had sent out to Hopi students. Getting snacks and spiritual items such as Homa (white corn meal) and Hoyhoysi (wild tea), that really meant a lot. It was to nice to know others were thinking and rooting for me when I was in school. I can’t say thank you enough for the generous support that you have given me." - Meranden Numkena, Arizona State University Alumna, Class of 2024

"Thank you for helping me to have the opportunity to do what I love (photography). I am happy I don't have to rely on student loans and will minimize the stress of having to pay for school. I can move forward with my major without having to worry about the cost of school." - Hope Honani, Arizona State University (current student), Class of 2024