Native-Led Work
A Commitment to Advancing Economic, Social, and Cultural Prosperity and Lasting Change in Native Communities
In 2012, we committed to invest 40 percent of our annual grant dollars in support of Native-led organizations. From 2012 to 2018, we invested more than $45 million in Native-led organizations—44 percent of our $102.5 million in awarded grants during that period.
Our 40 percent commitment carries into the future, and our funding focuses on supporting efforts that produce good jobs, financial capability, and community wealth-building in Native communities. Our goal has been, and will continue to be, to increase meaningful economic productivity within Native communities.
Our Findings
Investing in Native-Led Organizations Aligns with Our Funding Strategy
Supporting lasting change by investing in Native-led organizations advances good jobs and financial capability through our four grantmaking portfolios:
- Opening access to capital connects people to resources.
- Expanding work opportunities gives people pathways to quality jobs.
- Supporting enterprise development drives entrepreneurship.
- Promoting financial inclusion gives families tools to climb out of poverty.
Our portfolios are mutually reinforcing, and we recognize that an investment in Native-led organizations through any one of the portfolios has a positive impact on each of the others. As we move forward, we’re continuing to emphasize the intersections and connections among the portfolios.
We Can Have a Greater Impact on Native Communities If We Build on Four Key Learnings
Prior to 2012, 30 percent of our new grants went to Native-led organizations. But we recognized that with a larger commitment, we could have a greater impact and create more opportunities for lasting change. We wanted to advocate for more funding for Native communities and to show what was possible through our example.
After working with grantees to evaluate the success of our investments from 2012 to 2016—and taking to heart what we heard—we found we could be better grantmakers by building off of four key learnings:
Collaboration Is Key
We must collaborate with other funding institutions working in our priority communities to build stronger ties between tribal governments, state and federal agencies, and our Foundation.
Grantees Inform Us
We need to keep improving our understanding of the context of the communities we serve, using the expertise of our grantees to deeply inform our grantmaking approaches.
Culturally Anchored Models Work
We must continue to make grants based on models that grow economic systems in Indian Country and that are rooted in Native culture.
Good Jobs and Financial Capability Flow from an Expanded Opportunity Pipeline
Our broader vision of increasing good jobs and financial capability in Indian Country will result from a pipeline of opportunities including job training, small-business and social-enterprise development, financial education, and access to capital.
Let us know about your organization.
If you’re from a Native-led group within our region of eight states and 76 Native nations that share the same geography, give us your contact info and a detail or two about how your work connects to our four funding portfolios. We’ll keep your info on file for updates and to contact you if/when there are opportunities for further engagement.
