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
- Native Youth Business Plan Competition – Closes January 8, 2020
- NAFSI Keepseagle Native Farmer & Rancher Shared Equipment Grant – Closes December 16, 2019
- NAFSI Keepseagle Native Farmers & Ranchers Organization Grant – Closes December 16, 2019
- GATHER Food Sovereignty Grant – Closes February 27, 2020
- Fertile Ground Advocacy Campaign Grant – Closed November 14, 2019
- NAFSI College Scholarships – Closed September 30, 2019
- Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship – Closed 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
Native Youth Business Plan Competition
The Native Youth Business Plan Competition is intended to simulate the real-world process of entrepreneurs seeking start-up funds. The judges will decide which business venture they would most likely fund. Ten semifinalist teams (5 high school division teams and 5 college division teams) will be awarded travel scholarships to attend RES 2020 to pitch their business plans in front of a panel of Native judges and investors. The top three teams from each division will be awarded small prizes to aid in their business ventures. The first-place teams will receive $7,500, second-place will receive $5,000 and third-place will receive $2,500.
For More InformationNAFSI Keepseagle Native Farmer & Rancher Shared Equipment Grant
Native Farmer & Rancher Shared Equipment Grant will award 10 grants averaging $10,000 to organizations in Native communities with the same goals, however priority will be given to projects aimed at expanding community access to shared equipment made available to Native farmers, ranchers, and producers who are increasing capacity, revenue and other positive farm outputs that will grow farmer capacity and Native farms and ranch operations.
For more informationNAFSI Keepseagle Native Farmers & Ranchers Organization Grant
The Native Farmers & Ranchers Organization Grant will award 18 to 20 grants averaging $30,000 to organizations in Native communities, with the goal of growing and/or expanding direct services that serve or directly collaborate with Native American farmers and ranchers.
For more informationGATHER Food Sovereignty Grant
A new effort generously supported by the Indigenous Peoples Fund at Tides Foundation, First Nations will award up to 8 grants of approximately $32,0000 each for work contributing to building a national movement that will fulfill a vision of Native communities and food systems that are self-directed, well-resourced and supported by community policies and systems.
For more 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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