Strengthening Native Philanthropy - Resources

First Nations Development Institute provides resources to help in the development of Native Philanthropic organizations.

   
 Options for Designing Your Tribal Philanthropic Program (2009) (478 KB)
This publication provides information on the major principles pertaining to the creation of a formalized philanthropic model. In addition to providing information about the basic legal structures and requirements of mainstream philanthropic models, it also provides information related specifically to tribes and tribal models.
 
   
 

Starting A Tribal Foundation Worksheet (2009) (46 KB)
This worksheet provides a guide to addressing the issues important to the creation of a Tribal Foundation.

   
 

Integrated Asset Building Strategies: Chapter 4: Native Philanthropy (2007) (2.8 MB)
This publication focuses on Native grantmaking institutions, discusses grantmaking models, and attempts to provide a road map through the sometimes confusing field of Native grantmaking organizations. Regardless of the model chosen for the philanthropic program, a large and growing number of tribes and Native nonprofits are using philanthropy to protect Native financial assets, capitalize economic development programs in their communities, and protect and support their cultures. As part of an integrated asset-building program, Native-controlled grantmaking entities are supporting institution building through capitalizing nascent nonprofits in Native communities, and through funding innovative asset-building strategies.

   
 

Native American Giving: Legal Questions and Answers (2000) (101 KB)
This booklet provides an overview of legal questions and answers related to charitable giving and Native American causes.

   
 

Nonprofit Corporation Code - Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (2006) (22 KB)
The Nonprofit Corporation Codes of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation can be used as a guide for other nations.

   
 

Nonprofit Corporation Code - Cherokee Nation (1996) (20 KB)
The Nonprofit Corporation Codes of the Cherokee Nation can be used as a guide for other nations.

   
 

IRS Letters on Tribal Nonprofit Organizations (1998) (576 KB)
This letter from the Internal Revenue Service was in response to questions from First Nations Development Institute concerning organizations organized under tribal law and their qualification under Section 501(c)(3) and Section 7871 of the Internal Revenue Code.