JSF is committed to helping individuals overcome barriers to education and employment. By supporting initiatives such as scholarships, mentoring, tutoring, and internships, JSF aims to enable people, particularly those with disabilities, financial needs, or from Indigenous communities, to graduate, find good jobs, and enrich their communities.
The grant program aims to catalyze economic development within Indigenous communities through investments in entrepreneurship and business education, as well as capacity building for business and entrepreneurship. With over 30 years of experience, the Foundation has been supporting Indigenous students through its Entrepreneurship Scholarship program, providing around $500,000 annually in scholarships and an additional $100,000 to $500,000 for endowment building. This initiative not only covers scholarships at tribal colleges but also supports Indigenous students at other institutions with significant Indigenous attendance. Additionally, the Foundation has backed the creation of an MBA in American Indian Entrepreneurship at Gonzaga University and has funded full-ride scholarships for Indigenous students. Furthermore, it grants capacity-building grants to entities like American Indigenous Business Leaders and Lakota Funds, aiming to enhance business and entrepreneurship training in Indigenous communities.