First Nations’ Response to Coronavirus

Dear Friends, Partners, Colleagues and Supporters,

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is presenting the world with an unprecedented situation that will have immediate and longer-term impacts on our communities, including the Native communities we serve.

At First Nations, we are doing our part to protect the health and safety of our staff and community partners. To this end, we have taken the following steps in response to this global pandemic:

Coronavirus Resources
To support Native communities, First Nations has collected and reviewed tools and resources focusing on Understanding COVID-19 and the CARES Act, emergency funds, perspectives from Indian Country and educational sources. Learn more.

DONATE: COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
First Nations has created the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to swiftly direct financial resources to Native communities on the frontlines of the crisis. Through this fund, donors can support Native communities overall, or donate specifically to the initiative to provide food and water directly to the Navajo Nation and the New Mexico Pueblos. Donate here.

Funds for Native Communities
Funds available through First Nations’ Emergency Response Fund will be limited. Based on this, we also encourage communities to check out the emergency funds on our Coronavirus Resources page for other organizations supporting Native communities during this health pandemic and economic crisis. For additional information, contact grantmaking@firstnations.org.

Organization Operations
First Nations staff is currently working remotely. During this time, you can reach our staff by email or by calling our office at (303) 774-7836.

All staff travel has also been suspended until further notice and we have also suspended all large events and gatherings. We anticipate grant-award timelines currently continuing as planned.

Commitment to Grantee Community Partners
We know these events may have an even greater effect on our community partners. Thus, we commit to working with our grantee community partners and to providing required support and flexibility to navigate the evolving situation. The work taking place in local communities matters now more than ever, and we will support their efforts to protect their communities, advocate for policy change, and prepare for the widespread effects of this pandemic. If grantee community partners need any assistance, we encourage you to contact your program officer at First Nations.

Commitment to Our Funders
First Nations also will be working with our funders and the funding community to ensure that Native communities are seen and heard and not left out during this crises.

Remember the Most Vulnerable
History tells us that these kinds of global crises can worsen inequality and have the greatest effects on those already most vulnerable. Let’s not forget about these communities, which include Native communities, as we think about our local, national and global responses to this current pandemic.

Staying Informed
We are following the guidance of leading organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), our local and state health departments and other leading government and health authorities. We encourage others to prioritize their health and safety by taking preventative measures, including practicing social distancing, frequently washing their hands, monitoring their health, and staying home or seeking care if they feel ill.

We know that our communities are resilient and compassionate and will take the necessary steps to protect their health and safety and that of their communities.

Any further updates will be announced on our website and social media.

Wishing you good health and safety.