Little Eagle Staff Fund (LESF)
In 2001, First Nations Development Institute launched its Little Eagle Staff Fund (LESF), which provides community development organizations and tribal programs with early stage investment and capitalization so that they can increase organizational capacity and enhance their development of new financial products and services. The goal is to support Native community based development organizations, especially financial institutions, so that they can promote economic development in Native communities.
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Six grants were awarded in October 2008 under the Little Eagle Staff Fund:
Little Eagle Staff Fund
2008 Grants
$12,750.00
Financial Literacy Program
$18,250.00
Katikitegon Financial Literacy program
$40,000.00
Three variations on a tribal entrepreneurship Development System
$40,000.00
Financial Education and Entrepreneur Development
$25,000.00
Credit Repair initiative
$39,000.00
Lac
WOLF Financial Management Project
2002-2006
$15,000.00
To build management capacity.
$30,000.00
To create and capitalize a loan loss reserve for the Commercial Lending Program, which will assist in mitigating loan portfolio risk. The CLP expands the capacity of Native small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing access to capital through loans.
$15,000.00
Eagle
To build management capacity to use more effectively the finanical resources of this Native CDFI. The project will leverage additional CDFI funding for operations.
$15,000.00
To build management capacity to use more effectively the finanical resources of this Native CDFI. The project will leverage additional CDFI funding for operations.
$15,000.00
To provide capital and technical assistance to businesses and community projects on and near the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
$37,200.00
To increase organizational capacity to market its financial products and services to Native American clients; increase the level of financial skills of NA clients; and increase organizational sustainability by enhancing commercial business lending.
$14,694.00
To build management capacity to use more effectively the finanical resources of this Native CDFI. The project will leverage additional funding and technical assistance from CDFI/NACTA.
$15,500.00
To support a loan officer position for this emerging Native CDFI.
$10,000.00
Planning Grant for Anishinabe Miikana Clinic
$20,000.00
To support the general operating needs of the institution in developing their CDFI program and achieving CDFI certification. The organization focuses on mortgage lending, homeownership counseling, and self-help construction.
$30,000.00
Eagle
Create Cheyenne River Housing Finance Corporation as a revolving loan fund and subsidiary of Oti Kaga, Inc., including filing for tax exempt status, recruit community-based board, appoint loan committee and hire staff.
$12,000.00
To build management capacity to use more effectively the finanical resources of this Native CDFI. The project will leverage additional CDFI funding for operations.
$15,000.00
To build management capacity to use more effectively the finanical resources of this Native CDFI. The project will leverage additional CDFI funding for operations.
$26,856.00
Improve organizational effectiveness and capacity. Grant modification made 1/19/2006 that allows $11,000 to be used for a loan loss reserve.
The Little Eagle Staff Fund is currently capitalized by Bank of America, Johnson Scholarship Foundation, Washington Mutual Foundation, and a fourth partner.
