Grants Announced in Third Quarter 2011

Northwest Area Foundation launched the Native American Social Entrepreneurship Initiative, an innovative new approach to creating thriving Native markets that build prosperity. Supported by $1.59 million in grants, this two-year undertaking aims to develop local economies that spawn new businesses, new jobs, and promising futures on Native American reservations.

Native American Social Entrepreneurship is one pathway to fulfilling the 2030 Vision for Self Determined Native Communities.  Developed by leaders of Native nations and philanthropic organizations, the 2030 Vision foresees a future in which vibrant Native regions with flourishing businesses and families are common in Indian Country.

The Foundation has chosen to fund social entrepreneurship  – applying entrepreneurial principles to social issues - because it has the greatest potential to build the ability of Native communities to reduce poverty that has plagued reservations for generations.

Oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network (ONABEN) of Tigard, Ore. will lead the two-year initiative. It receives a $491,627 grant to support an educational cohort in which the participating Native organizations will meet regularly to learn and share best practices in social entrepreneurship. Training and assistance will focus on strengthening their operations and prospects for long-term sustainability and on applying entrepreneurial principles to social issues in the broader community. Participants will test innovative asset-based strategies and expand services that create assets and wealth.

Grant term:  Nov. 1, 2011 – Oct. 31, 2013

Six grants have been awarded to Native American nonprofit organizations, many of which are community development financial institutions. They will work in partnership with ONABEN to develop social entrepreneurship by:

  • Building a culture of social entrepreneurship in which business principals are applied to social and environmental issues such as poverty reduction.
  • Expanding services that increase assets and wealth, a key component to building personal income and local economies.
  • Piloting asset-based initiatives and strategies that lead to culturally appropriate social change.
  • Engaging in learning and sharing with cohort grantees to advance best practices that strengthen organizational ability.

The following Native nonprofits have been awarded grants to participate in this initiative and to launch pilot programs that will build assets and wealth:

Four Bands Community Fund Inc. of Eagle Butte, S.D. will receive up to $100,000 over two years to develop a green business development curriculum and for its geographic expansion initiative. Grant dollars will support small business and green business training, and entrepreneurship outreach services to Standing Rock reservation and Urban Indians in Pennington County. Development of a Business Sustainability Assessment Tool will enable reservations businesses to assess current practices and increase their profits. Four Bands is participating with Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Ventures.

Grant term:  Nov. 1, 2011 – Oct. 31, 2013

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation – Business Service Center of Pendleton, Ore.  will receive up to $200,000 to provide business and financial education as early as elementary school. The curriculum will include a hands-on summer internship for middle school and high school students to prepare them for the emerging economy on the Umatilla reservation.

Grant term:  Nov. 1, 2011 – Oct. 31, 2013

Hunkpati Investments Inc. of Fort Thompson, S.D.  will receive up to $200,000 for its fledgling Community Development Financial Institution, which seeks to stimulate economic growth on the Crow Creek Sioux Indian reservation.  Located in one of the poorest regions in the nation, Hunkpati Investments Inc. will pilot a youth financial initiative that will offer financial education, job training, matched savings accounts, and hands-on business experience.

Grant term:  Nov. 1, 2011 – Oct. 31, 2013

Lakota Funds of Kyle, S.D. will receive up to $200,000 to support a pilot project for a children’s matched savings program known as Children’s Development Accounts (CDA). The program will offer financial education that will embrace partnerships with area schools, churches, and other community organizations. The goal is to set young families on a new financial path that will break the cycle of poverty. Participants will be able to tap a wide range of financial services available through Lakota Funds including workforce development, tax assistance, and credit union banking services. If successful, the CDAs will be introduced on other Native American reservations.

Grant term:  Nov. 1, 2011 – Oct. 31, 2013

Northwest Native Development Fund of Nespelem, Wash. will receive up to $200,000 to implement its Growing into Our Footprint project which will expand business training, outreach, tax preparation assistance, and access to loans. This initiative will promote matched savings programs and use of the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Grant term:  Nov. 1, 2011 – Oct. 31, 2013

Taala Fund of Taholah, Wash. will receive up to $200,000 for the Quinault Asset Building Initiative, which introduces youth to financial management and business principles in order to pave pathways to future prosperity.  The grant provides resources for the Taala Fund, a community development financial Institution (CDFI), to provide asset-building services like training, assistance, and microloans for small businesses.

Grant term: Nov. 1, 2011 – Oct. 31, 2013