The Katz School of Business is dedicated to cultivating career-ready students within a nurturing, inclusive, and experiential learning environment. Our focus is on fostering innovation in business education and encouraging diverse scholarship through the active engagement of our faculty within the community.
You can advance our mission by supporting the Katz School of Business Impact Fund. Your generous donation will offer flexible funding, addressing critical areas such as program needs, supplies, scholarship support, and other emerging requirements identified throughout the year. Together, we can make a lasting impact on our students' education and future success.
Johnson Scholarship Foundation
Native American Business Scholarship
The Johnson Scholarship Foundation (JSF) is committed to paving the way for brighter futures. Through its Indigenous People Program, JSF extends scholarships to Indigenous students pursuing studies in business or entrepreneurship. The Katz School of Business at Fort Lewis College has been awarded a grant from JSF, earmarked for providing scholarships to eligible business majors benefiting from the Native American Tuition Waiver.
As an incentive for support, the Johnson Scholarship Foundation pledges to match your contribution dollar-for-dollar, with a cap of $1,000,000, towards the Native American Business Scholarship Endowment. In essence, for every dollar you contribute, JSF will match it. This joint effort is poised to establish a $2 million scholarship endowment, marking a historic milestone as the largest in Fort Lewis College's history!
American Indigenous Business Leaders
American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) is the only American Indigenous non-profit organization in the United States, singularly committed to empowering business students. Our array of programs is meticulously crafted to involve students in activities beyond conventional academic approaches, seeking to stimulate, enhance, and broaden their educational experiences.
AIBL’s inclusivity is paramount. We extend an open invitation to all students, regardless of race, academic major, or career objectives, encouraging diverse and dynamic participation. It is imperative to note that only 11% of Native Americans attain Bachelor’s degrees, and a mere 6% pursue Graduate-level degrees. AIBL is steadfast in its mission to furnish Indigenous youth with the essential resources, unwavering support, and invaluable work experience needed to uplift these statistical indicators. Together, we strive to create a brighter future for the next generation of Indigenous business leaders.
Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition
Hawk Tank is instrumental in fostering a positive impact on Durango and its surrounding communities by providing extraordinary opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Modeled after ABC's Shark Tank, Fort Lewis College has established a business plan competition that empowers students to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and future business ventures. The Hawk Tank Competition, made possible through the support of past contributors, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the community as a whole.
Center for Innovation
Maximize the impact of your philanthropic contributions by investing in the economic growth of your community. Leveraging the initiatives of the Katz School of Business and the Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center, the Innovation Center aims to foster the development of local businesses and entrepreneurship through incubation, business acceleration, and workforce training.
