ABOUT THE NORTHWEST AREA FOUNDATION
We fund champions of change who reflect the distinct cultural strengths of the eight states and 75 Native nations of our region. They work in diverse communities to help people build assets through good jobs and financial capability—so that they can establish good credit, launch small businesses and save for their futures. Together, these skills equip families to overcome crises today and begin to feel secure and hopeful about tomorrow.
OUR REGION | Idaho | Iowa | Minnesota | Montana | North Dakota | Oregon | South Dakota | Washington | 75 Native Nations
Our Mission
The mission of the Northwest Area Foundation is to support efforts by the people, organizations and communities of our eight-state region to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable prosperity.
Our Vision
Motivating us in our endeavors is the vision of a future in which the well-being of the people living in our eight states is as well-known and admired as the inspiring landscapes of the region.
We see a region:
Where diversity is valued and nurtured in rural, urban and American Indian reservation communities.
Known for its highly skilled, well-educated population, its living-wage jobs, its innovative public policies and its healthy, vibrant communities.
Characterized by thriving local economies within thriving natural ecosystems.
Where creative entrepreneurship is valued in both for-profit and nonprofit enterprises, and where both investment capital and social capital are steadily expanding.
Whose strong public institutions, business community and nonprofit sector collaborate to address pressing needs and help build pathways to prosperity for all residents.
Whose people are organized and empowered to lift their voices and actively shape the civic, social, political and economic life of their communities.
We see a region whose rich culture of engagement and opportunity makes its eight states prized places to visit, to invest and to live and where all residents have a fair chance to live free of poverty.
Our Values
MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE
We are focused on one thing — supporting workable, effective and long-term solutions to reduce poverty in a sustainable way in our region.
ENGAGEMENT
We are committed to mutual engagement and embrace the full participation and diverse perspectives of others to create stronger, more adaptable and more resilient communities and partners.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We establish clear long-term goals, regularly measure our performance, and openly report, discuss and learn from our results.
LEARNING
We are passionate learners, actively sharing and incorporating the knowledge we have gained, and constantly working to improve on our ability to achieve our mission.
INTEGRITY
We are steadfast stewards of the Foundation’s many assets and we demonstrate our high level of integrity in both our words and our actions, among ourselves and with others.
RESPECT
We honor the dignity and worth of all people, striving for humility and acting with thoughtfulness.
Our Region
Idaho | Iowa | Minnesota | Montana
North Dakota | Oregon | South Dakota
Washington | 75 Native Nations
Millie Acamovic
Vice President of Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer
Sherry Fisher
Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Project Coordinator
Ann Naithani
she/her/hers
Director of Organizational Effectiveness and Talent Development
Pictured above, standing, left to right: Elisabeth C. Buck; Duane Carter, EdD; Maria Valandra; Lynda Bourque Moss (chair); James K. Laducer; and Father Larry J. Snyder. Seated, left to right: Libby Hlavka, Zachary Ducheneaux (vice chair), Jennifer C. Williams, Joyce Lee, Cherie Buckner-Webb, and Georgie Slade.
Not pictured: Rodney W. Jordan (chair emeritus) and Michelle Osborne.
Hear our CEO and board chair share what we learned about Native communities during our 2018 board retreat.