February 22, 2023 This Fund Has Backed Native American Students for 50 Years. Despite Strides, It Faces Huge, Unmet Need February 22, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Native Forward, the largest organization supporting Native American scholars in the U.S., is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Even after a gift from MacKenzie Scott doubled its budget, it is able to fund just 14% of applicants.Read More
December 23, 2022 Six Questions for Michael Roberts, President and CEO of First Nations Development Institute December 23, 2022/ Mike Scutari Michael Roberts heads First Nations Development Institute, which seeks to improve economic conditions for Native Americans. We chatted with him about the best advice he’s ever received, the perils of “racial equity fatigue,” and more.Read More
October 27, 2022 How the American Indian College Fund is Strengthening Early Ed in Native Communities October 27, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen The Bezos Family Foundation is the latest funder to throw its support behind an effort to strengthen early education in Native American communities. The place-based approach emphasizes local strengths and traditions. Read More
October 14, 2022 With a Higher Ed Partnership, a New Foundation Is Spotlighting Indigenous History and Culture October 14, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen The Gochman Family Foundation is a new grantmaker founded in 2021. Here’s a look at how it’s joining forces with the Open Society Foundations to launch new Indigenous arts and history programs at Bard College.Read More
May 24, 2022 “All But Ignored by Philanthropy.” A New Fund Addresses Missing and Murdered Indigenous People May 24, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen The Humboldt Area Foundation is tackling an issue that has been largely overlooked by philanthropy — the disappearance and murder of Indigenous people — and has advice for funders who want to do more.Read More
May 18, 2022 How MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett Center Native Communities in Their Equity Funding May 18, 2022/ Liz Longley One thread that has run throughout MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett’s giving, from the first round up until the most recent, is support for Native American communities. Here’s a roundup of who they’ve backed and why. Read More
April 26, 2022 A Growing Number of Bay Area Foundations Are Paying “Land Taxes” to Native Peoples April 26, 2022/ Michael Kavate A small but rising number of foundations in California make annual contributions to the Native people whose traditional territory they work on. It’s a powerful form of reparative giving that’s popping up all over the country.Read More
April 19, 2022 How a Colorado Health Foundation Is Tackling Underinvestment in Native Communities April 19, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Philanthropy has vastly underfunded Native causes. The Colorado Health Foundation is investing in health equity for Native Americans — and encouraging other funders in the state to step up their support.Read More
March 15, 2022 Six Questions for Carla Fredericks, CEO of the Christensen Fund March 15, 2022/ Michael Kavate The first-ever Native American leader of the Christensen Fund, Carla Fredericks is one of very few Indigenous leaders at a major private foundation. Read about her “really disruptive” vision for the fund and tips for philanthropy.Read More
November 30, 2021 How Philanthropy Can Support Truth and Healing in Native American Communities November 30, 2021/ Edgar Villanueva and Christina Snider, Guest Contributors Edgar Villanueva of Decolonizing Wealth and Christina Snider, tribal advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom, explain philanthropy’s role in a historic reconciliation process between Native and non-Native people in California. Read More
November 18, 2021 How Philanthropy Helped Launch a New Approach to Dental Care in Alaska—and Beyond November 18, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen Dental therapy was virtually unknown in the U.S. until Alaskan tribal leaders—with the help of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and other funders—introduced it to provide dental care to remote and low-income communities.Read More
November 02, 2021 Philanthropy Must Support Indigenous-Led Climate Solutions November 02, 2021/ Suzanne Benally, Rajasvini Bhansali, Carla Fredericks and Tia Oros Peters, Guest Contributors As world leaders gather in Scotland this week for COP26, the heads of four funders that back Indigenous Peoples explain why it is so critical for the sector to increase support for Indigenous-led climate solutions.Read More
October 20, 2021 A Veteran in Native American Philanthropy and Advocacy Sees Progress. Will It Continue? October 20, 2021/ Mike Scutari “Doors are opening” in philanthropy for Native Americans, says Sherry Salway Black, but there remains a massive funding gap. The 40-year champion of Native causes discusses her career and where the field is headed.Read More
October 19, 2021 Recognizing a Powerful Force for Democracy, OSF Backs Native-Led Organizations October 19, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen With $10 million in grants, Open Society Foundations is backing Native American-led groups’ work on civic participation, policy and voter outreach. The grants will extend the work of another funder that is spending down.Read More
August 17, 2021 New Funding Partnership to Address Severe Underinvestment in Indigenous Girls August 17, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen Grantmakers for Girls of Color has teamed up with Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples to support a group philanthropy has long overlooked.Read More
April 01, 2021 To Support Underserved Students, CZI Looks to Strengthen Community and Identity April 01, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen K-12 funders face tough challenges related to COVID recovery and racial equity. One approach the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is taking is to support student wellbeing through community programming, with an emphasis on Native youth.Read More
February 09, 2021 Why Youth-Focused Nonprofits in Alaska Should Get to Know the First Alaskans Institute February 09, 2021/ Alyssa Ochs There are several foundations in Alaska that are focused on preserving and promoting the values and heritage of Alaska Natives. One of these is the First Alaskans Institute, which is known for its support for local youth.Read More
January 05, 2021 “Nothing Short of Heroic.” In Historic Year, Native Pandemic Response Funds Moved Millions January 05, 2021/ Michael Kavate A new report unpacks a tumultuous year for Native American communities, including $32 million in pandemic relief donations, important political and legal victories, and huge remaining needs and opportunities.Read More
November 09, 2020 “Begin the Drive for Equity.” A Historic Gift Points to Tribal Funders’ Growing Influence November 09, 2020/ Mike Scutari Weak foundation support for Native American causes often obscures the important role of tribal funders. A spate of pandemic-era gifts, including an unprecedented commitment to UCLA, underscores Native-led funders’ expanding reach.Read More
November 04, 2020 “We Live Where We Serve.” A Model of Native-Led Grantmaking on the Colorado Plateau November 04, 2020/ Michael Kavate Issues in Native communities are notoriously underfunded, but pass-through funders like the Colorado Plateau Foundation are demonstrating the power of Native-led philanthropy and nonprofits. Read More