What is an Endowment?

Definition: Basically... A savings account that lasts forever (in perpetuity) from which only earned income (dividends, interest, capital gains, etc) is spent while the principal (in our case $10 million) remains untouched forever.

As an endowment, the Fund's assets are held in trust in perpetuity and only the income of the Fund's principle is expended in support and maintenance of the educational needs of the members of the Hopi Tribe.

However, although endowment by name, since inception the HEEF has operated much like a foundation in awarding grants and funding to various organizations on a yearly basis awarding over $4.2 million to date, to various educational programs of the Hopi Tribe.

Realizing the ever-growing need for educational funding, it is the job and mission of HEEF to continually raise funds on behalf of Hopi educational endeavors and this is accomplished through several ways including: Investments, Proposals, and other fundraising activities.