KESHENA, WI – College of Menominee Nation President Christopher Caldwell says he’ll never forget the moment he learned about the college’s historic $10 million gift from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation. “Holy Bleep, are you kidding me? I actually wasn’t sure I heard the person right,” Caldwell said, recalling his initial reaction to the unprecedented donation.
Caldwell says one of the college’s first priorities will be establishing endowments and expanding scholarship opportunities so students can benefit both now and long into the future. He noted that the gift provides much-needed long-term stability for CMN at a time when proposed federal budgets have suggested cuts of nearly 90% to the core funding tribal colleges rely on.
The donation, Caldwell says, will help secure resources not only for students but also for staff, academic programs, and campus operations. He added that the investment gives CMN the ability to diversify its revenue base and strengthen the support systems that uphold the college’s mission of serving Indigenous students and communities.
College leaders say planning is already underway to determine how best to invest the funds for lasting impact.
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