First Nations Development Institute

Eagle Staff Fund (ESF)

First Nations Development Institute's Eagle Staff Fund (ESF) was launched in 1993 as First Nations’ flagship grantmaking program, the ESF provides grants and technical assistance to models of culturally appropriate economic development that use asset-based strategies. Since 1994, the ESF has awarded 200 grants totaling $8.6 million. To qualify for ESF funding, all projects must be located on, or linked through the provision of a service or product to, a reservation or rural Native community. ESF currently offers three different types of general grants: Seed, Start-Up, and Working Capital, as well as special initiatives. Currently, only invited proposals are being accepted.