Who funds Indigenous & Native Communities nationally

If you work in Indigenous and Native community development, economic empowerment, or cultural preservation, you already know that funding for this work comes from a specific set of foundations. Knowing who they are, what they actually fund, and how they think about grants is half the battle before you ever pick up the phone. The funders below are actively supporting this cause area across the country. This briefing walks through what their giving looks like and how to think about approaching each one.

Cherokee Preservation Foundation Inc

Based in Cherokee, North Carolina, the Cherokee Preservation Foundation distributes roughly $7.5 million annually across economic empowerment, Indigenous and Native communities, arts and culture, wellness, and community development. They think broadly about what it means to support Cherokee and other Native communities. Their grants tend to run around $258,000, which puts them in a different scale than many Indigenous-focused funders. If your work aligns with their focus areas and you have a genuine relationship or referral into the foundation, this is worth serious attention. See their profile

First Peoples Fund

First Peoples Fund, based in Rapid City, South Dakota, distributes about $5.8 million annually and concentrates almost entirely on arts, culture, and Indigenous and Native communities. They are deeply committed to supporting Native artists and cultural work. Their grants are smaller, typically $6,250, which means they fund many more organizations and artists across the country. This is a funder that understands the work intimately and moves quickly. If you are doing cultural or arts work in Indian Country, First Peoples Fund should be on your radar early. See their profile

Sovereign Equity Fund

The Sovereign Equity Fund, based in Bismarck, North Dakota, gives about $3.4 million annually to economic empowerment, Indigenous and Native communities, environment and sustainability, and rural development. They focus on the intersection of Native sovereignty and economic opportunity. Their giving pattern suggests they make grants across a range of sizes, so the fit depends on your specific project and geography. North Dakota and the Northern Plains are natural areas of focus, but their Indigenous and Native communities priority is national. See their profile

Twin Peaks Foundation

Twin Peaks Foundation, based in Wilmington, Delaware, gives about $210,000 annually to economic empowerment, Indigenous and Native communities, poverty and homelessness, and human services. They are a smaller funder, and their grants typically run around $11,000. This is not a foundation that will fund your entire program, but they are a reliable source for discrete projects, capacity building, or emergency support. They take Indigenous and Native communities seriously as a funding priority despite their modest budget. See their profile

Kahiau Foundation

Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Kahiau Foundation gives about $175,000 annually across economic empowerment, women and girls, environment and sustainability, Indigenous and Native communities, and social justice and equity. Their focus on Native Hawaiian communities and broader Indigenous work in the Pacific is clear. They are a smaller funder, so grants are modest, but they understand the specific context of Native communities in Hawaii and the Pacific. If your work touches Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander communities, Kahiau is worth knowing. See their profile

Next steps

These five foundations represent different scales, geographies, and approaches to Indigenous and Native community funding. The real work is building relationships with the ones that match your mission and geography before you need them. If there is a specific funder relationship you want Funding Findr to keep an eye on, or if you want to talk through which of these feels like the right fit for your organization, reply to this briefing and let us know.

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