Video

The CIRI Foundation's 25th Anniversary

The CIRI Foundation "Making a Difference" 25th Anniversary Video features interviews with scholarship and grant recipients. Students speak about their experiences with TCF and how they are achieving economic self-sufficiency through education. Education and heritage project grant recipients relate how TCF funding has helped promote and maintain pride and culture among Alaska Natives through their programs.

Mission Statement

The mission of The CIRI Foundation is to promote individual self-development and economic self-sufficiency through education and to maintain pride in culture and heritage among Alaska Natives who are original enrollees of Cook Inlet region and their descendants.

The major goal of The CIRI Foundation (TCF) is to encourage the education and career development of The Foundation’s Alaska Native beneficiaries through post-secondary scholarships and grants, research and other education projects.

A second goal is to perpetuate and enhance the heritage of Cook Inlet region’s Alaska Native people through programs that foster appreciation and understanding by the general public.

As part of its mission, The CIRI Foundation strives to support continued living traditions through selected heritage publications and media productions that enhance appreciation and understanding of Alaska Native cultures among all people. 

Earnings from its endowments and other private donations fund The Foundation. Because it is a non-profit organization with a charitable purpose, The Foundation is exempt from federal income tax under the IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).

Through post-secondary scholarships and grants, internship opportunities, research and other education projects, The Foundation, as a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has helped to fulfill one of CIRI's major corporate goals, "to improve the lives of its shareholders."

Established

The CIRI Foundation (TCF) is a private foundation established in 1982 by the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) Board of Directors to encourage education and career development of Alaska Native original enrollees of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. and their direct lineal descendants. 

Since its establishment in 1982, The CIRI Foundation has contributed more than $16 million for the Alaska Native beneficiaries of CIRI to participate in post-secondary education. Approximately $1.79 million through The CIRI Foundation Education and Heritage Project Grant Program toward other non-profit organization projects that further the goals of The CIRI Foundation by serving our people, Alaska Natives and Alaskans.

Private sector contributions are the primary source of funds for the programs and administration of The Foundation. The major source of private sector funds is derived from earnings from The Foundation's several endowments, of which CIRI is the primary contributor.
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