Grantmaking

Founded in 1980, First Nations began its national grantmaking program in 1993. Through year-end 2021, we have successfully managed 2,611 grants totaling $51.6 million to Native American projects and organizations in 44 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, Scholarship & Fellowship Opportunities

Native Farmer and Rancher Apprenticeship – Closed January 14, 2022
Gather Food Sovereignty – Closed January 13, 2022
Breastfeeding and First Foods – Closed November 30, 2021
Setting the Table for a Healthy Food System in Indian Country – Closed November 12, 2021
Native Language Immersion Initiative – Closed November 10, 2021
NAFSI College Scholarship – Closed October 7, 2021
Tribal Ecological Stewardship in the Northern Great Plains – Closed September 14, 2021
Native Youth and Culture Fund (NYCF) – Closed August 20, 2021
Strengthening Native Programs and Feeding Families – Closed August 17, 2021
Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship – Closed July 13, 2021
Western COVID-19 Response – Closed June 24, 2021
Native Youth Business Plan Competition – Closed June 22, 2021
GATHER Food Sovereignty Grant – Closed January 14, 2021

Current grant opportunities

Providing Grants Across the Nation

Click on the map to view our Grantee Directory

Current Grant Opportunities

Protecting Bering Sea Marine Resources Grant Opportunity

First Nations is now accepting applications under our Stewarding Native Lands program for Native communities that are working to protect marine resources in the Bering Sea ecoregion. First Nations expects to award approximately 10 grants of $50,000 each to eligible organizations. Organizations that have not been formalized as a nonprofit are encouraged to apply through a fiscal sponsor.

Apply by May 25, 2022

Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship: 2023

First Nations will award 10 fellowships of $75,000 each to 10 outstanding Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers engaged in meaningful work that benefits Indigenous people and communities in either reservation and/or urban settings. These fellowships support the work of Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers as they significantly advance their work and spark transformative change in their communities.

Apply by May 26, 2022

Climate Resiliency in Indian Country Grant

First Nations is now accepting applications for Native-led projects related to the development or implementation of climate resiliency planning and implementation. First Nations expects to award 10 grants up to $100,000 each to support Native-led organizations working to promote climate resiliency in Native communities in line with the Justice40 initiative.

Apply by June 1, 2022

Regional Dialogues on Climate Resiliency Grant

First Nations is now accepting applications for Native-led organization proposals related to planning and hosting state- or regional-focused climate resiliency conversations. First Nations expects to award 10 grants averaging $50,000 each to Native-led organizations to host conversations on climate resiliency and the Justice40 initiative Native communities.

Apply by June 1, 2022

Our Grantmaking Impact

Founded in 1980, First Nations began its national grantmaking program in 1993. Through year-end 2021, we have successfully managed 2,611 grants totaling $51.6 million to Native American projects and organizations in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territory American Samoa.

2611 Grants

awarded to Native projects

$51.6 Million

in total grants awarded

44

States, D.C. & American Samoa in our grant scope so far