Grantmaking
Founded in 1980, First Nations began its national grantmaking program in 1993. Through mid-year 2019, we have successfully managed 1,648 grants totaling more than $34.9 million to Native American projects and organizations in 40 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. Territory American Samoa.
Our grantmaking program provides both financial and technical resources to tribes and Native nonprofit organizations to support asset-based development efforts.
Recent Grant or Scholarship Opportunities
- NAFSI College Scholarships – Deadline September 30, 2019
- Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship – Deadline September 13, 2019
- Native Language Immersion Initiative (NLII) – Closed May 30, 2019
- Fertile Ground Advocacy Campaign – Closed April 9, 2019
- Native Youth and Culture Fund (NYCF) – Closed March 12, 2019
- Native Language Immersion Initiative (NLII) – Closed December 18, 2018
- Keepseagle Fast-Track Grants to Support Native Farmers & Ranchers – Closed October 5, 2018
- NAFSI College Scholarships – Closed October 4, 2018
- Native Arts Initiative (NAI) Grants – Closed August 30, 2018
- Native Language Immersion Initiative (NLII) – Closed March 23, 2018
- Native Youth and Culture Fund (NYCF) – Closed March 8, 2018
- Native Arts Initiative (NAI) Grants – Closed October 19, 2017
NAFSI College Scholarships – Closed September 28, 2017 - Nourishing Native Children: Feeding Our Future Grants – Closed May 5, 2017
- Native Arts Initiative (NAI) Grants – Closed March 9, 2017
- Native Youth and Culture Fund (NYCF) – Closed March 8, 2017
- NAFSI Program Grants (WKKF/Agua) – Closed February 24, 2017
- Food Sovereignty Assessment Grants (WKKF) – Closed February 24, 2017
Providing Grants Across the Nation
Click on the map to view our Grantee Directory
Current Grant Opportunities
NAFSI College Scholarships
First Nations is accepting applications for its Native Agriculture and Food Systems Scholarship Program that aims to encourage more Native American college students to enter these fields so that they can better assist their communities with these efforts. We'll award 20 to 25 scholarships of $1,000 to $1,500 each to Native American college students majoring in agriculture and agriculture-related fields.
Click for InformationLuce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowships
We are now accepting applications for the inaugural year of the Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship program. We will award 10 fellowships of $50,000 each to outstanding Native Americans engaged in meaningful work that benefits Indigenous people and communities in either reservation and/or urban settings. Deadline to apply is Sept. 13, 2019.
Click for InformationOur Grantmaking Impact
First Nations, founded in 1980, began its national grantmaking program in 1993. Through mid-year 2019, we have successfully managed 1,648 grants totaling more than $34.9 million to Native American projects and organizations in 40 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. Territory American Samoa.
1,648 Grants
awarded to Native projects
$34.9 Million
in total grants awarded
40
States, D.C. & American Samoa in our grant scope so far
Current Grantees
First Nations' online grants system allows applicants and grantees to access online reports & applications.
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