First Nations Development Institute and its wholly-owned subsidiary First Nations Oweesta Corporation (a community development financial institution) work in partnership with Native American tribes and communities throughout the U.S. to assist them in designing and administering financial and investor education programs. Our projects range from helping individuals and families understand the basics of financial management – opening and maintaining a bank account and using credit wisely – to helping individuals understand financial markets and a variety of financial instruments for borrowing and saving.

Learning how to manage finances ensures that Native people will be more likely to save and to challenge financial service providers to develop products that respond to their needs.  Our programs result in increased investment levels and economic growth in Native communities. First Nations Development Institute uses the Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families curriculum, which was originally developed by First Nations Development Institute and the Fannie Mae Foundation. First Nations Development Institute also coordinates the InvestNative investor education project (more information can be found at www.InvestNative.org. First Nations uses the Building Native Communities: Investing for the Future curriculum to teach investor education.

Recently Released Financial & Investor Education Reports and Publications

Learning by Doing: Financial Education for Native American Youth Receiving Large Lump-Sum Payouts (2012) (1.85 MB)		Crazy Cash City Evaluation Report (2012) (2.31 MB)		Tax Time Savings for Native Communities: Ten Best Practices for Effective Native VITA Programs (2013) (4.5 MB)
Investing for the Future - Workbook (2012) Order Printed Copies at $10 Each or Download for Free		Financial Skills for Families - Workbook 4th Edition (2011)  Order Printed Copies at $10 Each or Download for Free		Big Money: Structuring Minor's Trust Programs for Native Communities (2011)(949 KB)