The California Tribal Fund supports California-based, California-Native-led nonprofits and tribal programs in controlling and protecting their land, water, food systems, and culture. Learn more about why this support is so important.
The mission of the California Tribal Fund is to invest in the viability and visibility of California Tribal Nations and communities. Read more about our mission, vision, and Guiding Principles here.
Program Areas
- Stewardship of Ancestral Lands and Waters: Each community differs in its approach; examples include mapping land bases, managing land donations, fighting for water rights, and incorporating traditional ecological knowledge on land formerly under tribal control.
- Tribal Community Food Sovereignty: Tribes and Native communities build sustainable food systems that increase access to healthy, culturally-based, and traditional foods, alleviate hunger, improve the environment, and increase control over agriculture.
- Culture: Enduring cultural traditions and knowledge systems are celebrated and maintained through language revitalization, basketweaving, storytelling, medicine making, ceremonies, and more.
- Fire and Drought: Tribal communities are responding to fire and drought through fuels reduction, wildfire prevention planning and education, emergency response and relief, and by strengthening their cultural fire practices to support healthy ecosystems.
The California Tribal Fund launched in March 2020 with funding from The California Endowment, Swift Foundation, Highlands 3:23 Fund, Ceres Trust, and 11th Hour Project. The Fund began as a collaboration between First Nations and board members and staff of the California Indian Basketweavers’ Association, and was then steered by an Advisory Committee of California tribal leaders and cultural practitioners for the first four years. We are grateful to all our contributors and collaborators that have helped to make the Fund a reality.
Through the California Tribal Fund, First Nations has awarded over $3.7 million in grants to 150 Native-led California organizations to help them continue vital programs and services.
The California Tribal Fund releases one Request for Proposals (RFP) each year. If, after reading our mission, values, and program areas, you think your program may be aligned, we encourage you to reach out to ctf@firstnations.org. See links below to learn more about California Tribal Fund projects and grantees and check back to learn about future grant opportunities.
If you have questions about the California Tribal Fund or would like more information, please contact Rebecca Tortes, Director of the California Tribal Fund, at rtortes@firstnations.org.
