November 13, 2006
For Immediate Release
NEWS RELEASE

American Indian Economic Development Internship Scholarship Fund Established

The Economic Development Association of Minnesota Foundation (EDAM Foundation) (www.edamfoundation.org) and the Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) are pleased to announce the establishment of an Annual American Indian Economic Development Internship Scholarship. These two organizations are partnering to provide American Indian students with scholarship support for internships at Minnesota economic development organizations.

The Economic Development Association of Minnesota Foundation is a statewide non-profit foundation dedicated to "Building Stronger Communities in Minnesota" through scholarship, research, education and community outreach-based initiatives. The Foundation’s Education and Scholarship Goal is to provide training and education for current and future Economic Development Professionals through internship placements and scholarship support of National Development Council and International Economic Development Council training programs.

The Native American Community Development Institute is an American Indian intermediary community development organization with the mission of partnering with American Indian communities to build and execute 21st century community development strategies. NACDI seeks to work with others to expand the American Indian community’s capacity to develop sustainable physical and economic assets, economic vitality and to maintain human and social relationships through cooperative efforts.

The internship scholarships are aimed at both undergraduate and graduate level college students and recent college graduates. The EDAM Foundation will contribute $1,000 annually to the American Indian Economic Development Internship Scholarship Fund which will support the salary of an American Indian intern at the workplace of a member of the Economic Development Association of Minnesota (www.edam.org). This fund must be matched with at least $1,000 by the workplace sponsor, a Minnesota economic development professional. The goal is to give the intern professional economic development workplace experience. The EDAM Foundation will assist in establishing the internship workplace experience. NACDI will recruit screen and place students with the internship opportunity.

For more information contact:
Patrick Connoy, EDAM Foundation, 612-348-2215
Justin Huenemann, NACDI, 612-596-7601