Native American Philanthropy

Native Americans in Philanthropy

Native Americans in Philanthropy is a Native-led organization that embraces Indigenous values such as reciprocity and intergenerational support. Their mission is to advocate, educate, convene, and innovate to dramatically increase philanthropic investments in Native communities and transform the philanthropic sector’s relationship with Indigenous communities.

NAP’s goals include:

1. Support a powerful national network of Native philanthropic leadership.

2. Strengthen the growing movement in the philanthropic sector to be in higher alignment with Native Peoples, communities, and values. 

3. Increase robust and long-term philanthropic investments in Native communities that support their self-determination, sustainability, and vision for a thriving future across generations.

In 2025, their Tribal Community Vision Partnership mobilized $1 billion in philanthropic and private investment to complement and leverage historic levels of federal funding for Tribal communities.

NAP maintains a free database of grant opportunities in education, climate and conservation, community and economic development, health and public safety, language, arts and culture, information and communications, sports and recreation, housing, and other categories. Visit https://nativephilanthropy.org/grants to learn more.

Contact Aaron Baumgardner, NAP Grant Manager, through email at info@nativephilanthropy.org or by calling the main office at (202) 991-0468.

Examples of their grant programs include Social Justice Fund Northwest; Indigenous Tomorrows Fund; Power of Ceremony & Healing Grant

First Nations Development Institute

The First Nations Institute's mission is to strengthen Native economies. The Institute’s grantmaking program provides financial and technical assistance, along with opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing, to tribes, Native nonprofit organizations, and Native individuals. Through year-end 2025, they successfully managed 4,405 grants totaling over $110.6 million to Native American projects and organizations in 46 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territory American Samoa, and Guam.

Eligible applicants include:

1. Federal- and State-Recognized Tribal Governments (Tribal Government Programs, such as Tribal Arts Programs, Heritage Departments, Economic Development Entities)

2. Native-controlled 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations

3. Native 7871 Organizations

4. Fiscally sponsored Native community organizations

To learn more about their grant-awarded projects, award amounts, and grantees, navigate to https://www.firstnations.org/listing/awarded-grants/

Access the Institute’s Grantseeker Resources at https://www.firstnations.org/grantmaking/grantseeker-resources/

• Creating Successful Applications

• Common Rejection Reasons

• Fiscal Sponsorship

• FAQ

• Grant Applications 101

• Grant Readiness

• Evaluation Tips

• Prospect Research

Contact the Institute’s Headquarters at 2432 Main Street in Longmont, CO 80501 at

303.774.7836 or email info@firstnations.org. Contact Brooke Jones, Lead Grants Development Officer.

The Tribal Funding Registry

The Tribal Funding Registry is a Native-led entity that centralizes grant opportunities for Tribal Nations and Indigenous-led organizations. The Registry offers a centralized, searchable funding tool built for Indian Country. It includes federal, state, corporate, foundation, and Tribal opportunities. Grant matching workshops are regularly scheduled on the second Wednesday of every month, 8:00 am-9:15 am Pacific time. Register by navigating to https://www.tribalfunding.org/get-support  Contact Onawa Haynes, onawa@hozhonigo.com or by phone at (505) 702-9934.

Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous People

The Seventh Generation Fund supports Native grassroots initiatives focusing on healthy environments, social justice, and community well-being through their affiliate program and grant funding efforts. Seventh Generation focuses on cultural revitalization, leadership development, tribal sovereignty, and culturally appropriate economic development

Grant opportunities are found on https://7genfund.org/make-a-difference/apply-for-a-grant/

The Fund can be reached by mail at P.O. Box 5248, Eureka, California 95502

Phone: 707-825-7640. Christopher Peters, the President of the Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, can be reached at chris@7genfund.org. General and grant-related inquiries can also be directed to grants@7genfund.org.

Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation

The Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation, a subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc., provides financial assistance generally in the range of $10,000 to $20,000 to organizations that support the preservation, promotion, and advancement of American Indian self-sufficiency and culture through the development of American Indian entrepreneurs, the facilitation of American Indian education, and the preservation of American Indian languages in the United States. It funds:

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1. The development of American Indian entrepreneurism.

2. Facilitating American Indian education (particularly college, graduate, and post-graduate education).

3. The historic preservation and enhancement of American Indian culture, including language.

Grant opportunities are posted when funding is available. The Foundation is located at 401 N Main St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101-3804 and can be contacted at 336-741-6313 or by email at SFNTCFoundation@rjrt.com or sfntcfoundation@sfntc.com

Margaret A. Cargill Foundation

The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation supports Native American art for the purpose of the intergenerational transmission of artistic skill and cultural knowledge. They support organizations working directly in the community so that artistic skills and cultural knowledge can thrive sustainably. Cargill’s Native Arts & Cultures program supports work in three regions: (1) the Northwest (Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana); (2) Southwest (Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico); and (3) Upper Midwest (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin).

Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies has an invitation-based grantmaking process and does not accept unsolicited proposals or letters of inquiry for funding. They can be contacted at 6889 Rowland Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 and by telephone at 952.540.4050 or email at info@macphil.org

The Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation

The Notah Begay III Foundation is a national Native-led nonprofit leading the way to improve Native American children’s health. The Foundation is changing the lives of Native American children by supporting and funding Native-driven, culturally centered programs and by providing direct opportunities for Native youth to live healthy, active lives. Their focus is on holistic prevention, including child, family and community. Their approach focuses on four core areas:

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1. Physical Activity

2.  Healthy Nutrition

3. Youth Development

4.  Cultural Connections

The Foundation serves Native American youth and communities, including its Community Empowerment National Grantmaking Program, designed to provide Native American communities, tribes, and Native-led organizations with resources, tools, information, and inspiration needed to create measurable impact and sustainable change in their own communities that benefit their children’s health. The Foundation approaches its grantmaking by recognizing that Native American communities have the inherent knowledge, assets and values to address Native children’s health. By employing a variety of funding pathways, communities are able to focus their efforts at the levels they believe would have the most impact.

As an example, the Foundation’s Youth Council Grant Program for Native youth ages 14 to 24 living in New Mexico brings together young leaders from Native communities across New Mexico who are passionate about improving the health and well-being of Native youth. Youth members serve as ambassadors for the Foundation, provide guidance on youth-focused initiatives, and lead service projects that support their communities. Through the Youth Council, participants gain leadership development opportunities, hands-on service experience, and connections with peers from across the state. Members also have opportunities to represent the organization at local and national events, including youth leadership conferences and community gatherings. Contact Simone Duran for more information at  simone@nb3f.org

Northwest Area Foundation

The Northwest Area Foundation dedicates 40% of new grant dollars to Native-led organizations working to advance economic, social, and cultural prosperity in their communities.  From 2012 to 2024, the Foundation invested more than $95 million in Native-led organizations—45.3 percent of our $210 million in awarded grants during that period. To learn more about the Foundation’s grants to Native-led groups from 2012 through March 2026, navigate to https://www.nwaf.org/approach/native-led-work/grants-to-native-led-groups/.

If you’re from a Native-led group within Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, or Washington, or one of the 76 Native nations that share the same geography, provide the Foundation with your contact information and a detail about how your work connects to their four funding portfolios and provides a better, more equitable future for Native communities. The form is located at https://www.nwaf.org/approach/native-led-work/. They will keep your info on file for updates and to contact you if/when there are opportunities for further engagement.

During the first quarter of 2026, the Northwest Area Foundation approved 35 grants worth $7,894,300. Generally, proposals are accepted by invitation only. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. For more information, contact Cody Stalker, Program Coordinator, or Janelle Reich, Grants and Contracts Manager, at Northwest Area Foundation, 60 Plato Blvd. E., Suite 400, St. Paul, MN 55107 or by phone at (651) 225-3888 or email at cstalker@nwaf.org or jreich@nawf.org.

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribal government. It is 1 of 4 Dakota communities in Minnesota and 1 of the 11 tribes in Minnesota. As a Community, the SMSC works to preserve Dakota cultural values through philanthropy, partnerships, environmental initiatives, and cultural programming.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community invests in Native tribes across the country. The Community has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to tribes and organizations across the country and provided more than half a billion dollars in loans to other tribes at a fair interest rate to spur economic development on their reservations. They provide funding in the form of monetary funding and non-cash donations.

Only tribal governments, Native American organizations, and Native American schools may apply. An organization is eligible to submit only one request for monetary funding and one non-cash donation per fiscal year (October-September). Grant funding for larger projects, such as capital projects and economic construction projects, is available. The Community asks that you request what is needed rather than what is wanted and be able to justify your request in the application process.

Examples include:

• Sponsorships (Events, Conference, Gala, Golf, etc.)

• Equipment

• IT Equipment

• Supplies (Education/classroom, craft, Food, etc.)

• Furniture/Furnishings

• Economic Development / Infrastructure

• Construction/Remodel/Repairs

Requests that will not be considered for funding are listed at https://smsc.gvgrantcloud.com/account/Announcement/ReadMore;fundingOpportunityId=952faadf-e4af-49b2-9e26-08ddec08c9ff

All funding applications must be received via the online portal located at https://smsc.gvgrantcloud.com/account/Announcement. Applications sent via mail or email will not be considered. The FY2026 funding period is Oct 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.

For more information, contact DONATIONS@SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG

Native Ways Federation

The Native Ways Federation (NWF) was founded in 2008 by six national Native-led nonprofit organizations: (1) American Indian College Fund (College Fund); (2) American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES); (3) Association on American Indian Affairs (The Association); (4) First Nations Development Institute (FNDI); (5) National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA); and (6) Native American Rights Fund (NARF). The purpose of the Federation is to activate and expand informed giving to Native-led nonprofits in Indian Country through donor education and advocacy.

Currently, the Federation is not offering grants. They publish the Native Nonprofit List, a useful resource for identifying Native philanthropy by subject matter. You can sign up to receive their newsletter at no charge.

National Indian Health Board

The Board supports Tribes by connecting them with funding opportunities that advance health initiatives in Indian Country, including public health, behavioral health, environmental health, and more. Open funding opportunities are listed at https://www.nihb.org/approach/funding-opportunities/. You can sign up for their mailing list to receive email notifications.

Native Arts + Cultures Foundation

The Native Arts + Cultures Foundation supports Native artists in the United States whose innovative and multifaceted approaches to literature, dance, visual arts, film, storytelling, music, and traditional arts strengthen culture, foster creativity and economic opportunity, and impact issues of social progress, environmental sustainability, and cultural equity.

Grant opportunities include the BICA Microgrant, the Awesome grant, the Yéego Action Grant, the VIA Art Fund’s Artistic Production Grant Program, fellowships, scholarships, and more. You can sign up for their mailing list to receive email notifications.

The Native American Heritage Association

The Native American Heritage Association was founded to address the severe challenges faced by Native American families on reservations in South Dakota and Wyoming. The Association is dedicated to helping Native Americans living on the tribal reservations in South Dakota, including the Crow Creek and Pine Ridge Reservations. You may contact them by email at info@naha-inc.org or by calling 605-341-9110.

Bush Foundation

The Bush Foundation invests in great ideas and the people who power them in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations that share this geography. They believe that investing in Native people, Native communities, and Native nations is one of the highest-impact things that they can do. The Foundation makes grants for ideas as varied as reimagining agricultural finance, Indigenizing tourism, and adapting telehealth for people experiencing homelessness, and is open to funding Native-led work on any issue.

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Grant programs include the Community Innovation grant, which is open year-round with no caps on amounts or duration of funding, the Ecosystem grant, the Partnership Fund, the Beyond Idea grant program, the Bush Prize, the Creative Community Solutions grant program, the Good Relatives Collaborative grant, the Minnesota Community IDEAS Program, and many others. Apply for a grant directly, email staff@bushfoundation.org, or call at 651-379-2249.

Northwest Area Foundation

The Foundation devotes 40 percent of new grant dollars to Native-led organizations working to advance economic, social, and cultural prosperity for their communities. They commit to funding self-determined prosperity and lasting change for Native communities in eight states: Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and the 76 Native nations that share the same geography. Proposals are by invitation only, and they do not accept unsolicited proposals. Submit an inquiry to Cody Stalker, Program Coordinator, at (651) 225-3888 or grantseekers@nwaf.org.

Native American Agriculture Fund

The Native American Agriculture Fund is a private, charitable trust devoted solely to serving Native American farmers and ranchers. The Fund provides grants to eligible organizations, including Tribal Nations, educational institutions, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), and nonprofit organizations, in four core areas: business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, and advocacy services. The FY26 funding announcement provides insight into their grant solicitation process. For more information, contact: grants@NativeAmericanAgricultureFund.org or 479-445-6226.

National Congress of American Indians Fund

National Congress of American Indians Fund is the 501(c)(3) educational and philanthropic arm—now operating as the NCAI Foundation—of the National Congress of American Indians, supporting tribal sovereignty, leadership education, and community resources. NCAI is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of Tribal governments and communities.

Contact: foundation@ncai.org or contact Larry Wright, Executive Director of NCAI to learn more about their resources.

Native Voices Rising

Native Voices Rising is a collaborative grantmaking initiative between Native Americans in Philanthropy and Common Counsel Foundation providing general operating support grants intended to strengthen Native-led groups with a membership base in the community, work to develop leadership, and take collective action to win progressive social change. Eligible organizations are rooted in a Native community, led by Native people, improve Native communities through organizing and advocacy, engage large numbers of community members to take action together, and seek to improve the policies and rules that impact the community.

Review eligibility at https://nativevoicesrising.org/apply/ and application FAQs here.

Vadon Foundation

The Vadon Foundation supports innovative community-based initiatives that strengthen and sustain healthy, thriving Indigenous nations in perpetuity. The Foundation’s focus includes language revitalization, culture, disproportionate violence against Indigenous women and girls, innovative community leadership, healthcare, and education. Interested grantees should send an introductory email to Dave LaSarte-Meeks, Executive Director at dave@vadonfoundation.org or call  (206) 279-5770 to discuss your program.

Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund

The Siletz Tribe awards grants to Native Organizations located throughout the United States if they are providing services or activities to a population with more than 50% Native American participation. The funds are intended to provide assistance or expand current organizational funding and are not intended to substitute for existing funding or fundraising activities. Application requests greater than $15,000 are not encouraged; however, applicants may request what is necessary to meet their needs.

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The Tribe’s Charitable Contribution Fund has designated twelve allowable categories including: Alcohol and Drug Treatment, The Arts, Cultural Activities, Education, Environment and Natural Resources Preservation, Gambling Addiction, Health, Historical Preservation, Housing, Prevention, and Public Safety.

Application instructions are located at https://ctsi.nsn.us/stccf-eligibility-requirements/

Terra Foundation

The Terra Foundation supports projects that engage the visual arts of the United States and Indigenous arts of North America. Annual, open, application-based grant programs include the Collections grant program for re-installation or temporary exhibitions, the Convening grant program for conferences, workshops, and gatherings, and exhibition grants.

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Program information and applications are located at https://www.terraamericanart.org/grant-program/