Awarded Grants

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) H3M began with the knowledge that a nonprofit can assist with addressing the needs of the Hopi people by doing projects/programs outside of the normal box. Our cultural ways and our language is the foundation of everything we do with our people especially the youth. Our speaking Hopi population was important to get their input into our programs and projects. Their way may be the best way to teach those who cannot speak to speak. This provides an opportunity for the Hopi speaker, for example, that is usually not called upon to provide their input, and we found they have just as much to offer and share. The creativity and knowledge of our keepers in this area such as the language was important to keep open to make an impact on what it is we believed was important for the youth and everyone to learn and live. Our unique identity is through our cultural life ways and our language. H3M hosting a planning session is another way to get stakeholders to participate in the future of their own lives as well as their extended family members. This will help with building support for the organization in all the work that is being done. We may also find future Board Members and donors to help with sustaining H3M in governance and funding. The circles of wisdom, thoughts, feelings and forward thinking is increased and not just by a handful and/or those who are always at the table. These sessions grows the amount of thinkers and supporters a lot which is an awesome opportunity for one to feel a part of something and something that is huge and very important. At the same time, H3M will have a plan to with a roadmap to follow. This plan will help with the future planning, programming, fundraising, resources, and all that is needed to keep H3M alive, vibrant and making a difference our future for all, wherever they reside.

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) Securing funding for materials, supplies, and equipment is far easier than securing funding for overhead expenses. Worrying about how we can keep our doors open and lights on is always at the back of our minds. Funding that assists in alleviating operating expenses will free up more time and resources to help us achieve objectives, complete projects, and better serve our community.

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) Loko ea Fishpond, a historically significant cultural site nestled on the North Shore of Oʻahu, was designed to raise fish; help support a natural and sustainable foodshed for the Ahupuaʻa of Kawailoa and Moku of Waialua, the traditional land area encompassing the North Shore of Oʻahu Community. Mālama Loko ea Foundation (MLEF) supports a small, underrepresented, Native Hawaiian Community— approximately 10% of the ~24,000 in the 2020 US census. Prior to the arrival of Westerners, Native Hawaiians managed a self-sufficient agricultural system distinguished by thriving loko iʻa— fishponds and abundant agriculture. Today the restoration of Loko ea represents the timely reimagination of what it means to honor Hawaiian culture and support a thriving, sustainable community in modern-day Hawaii. MLEF remains steady in addressing the needs of Native Hawaiian people as it implements a comprehensive ʻāina momona (abundant land) plan to restore traditional Hawaiian agriculture practices. MLEF partners with community organizations, farmers community members to increase cultural and food access. MLEF hosts monthly community workday lunches, kupuna (elders) lunches and community programs. Currently, approximately 80% food consumed in Hawaiʻi is imported. MLEF seeks to increase community capacity to process bountiful gardens and farms with in the organization and community organizations through a four phased ʻAi Pono Community Food Hub Project: 1. Pilot Māla O Nauahi Food Garden (Complete) 2. Food Hub 1: Food Processing Center (Donated) and Drying Room (Current Project) 3. Food Hub 2: Community Kitchen and Eating Space (Future) 4. ʻOhana Māla-Gardens with community workshops, eating and sharing space (Future) Support from the NFCoP Grant Writing Lab will provide the resources to plan and implement the phase 2 of the ʻAi Pono Community Food Hub.

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) The People’s Land Collaborative (TPLC) was created in response to the pressing need for collaborative and transformative land stewardship and leadership within the Navajo Nation, where land health has been increasingly challenged by increasing land use demands. As our communities face growing environmental and economic pressures, the need for strategic, culturally informed planning has become evident. The Social Sustainability Map is a crucial step in identifying all stakeholders involved in grazing on the Navajo Nation, providing a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationships and resources within our community. This grant presents an opportunity to finalize the Social Sustainability Map and develop brand guidelines that will not only enhance our organization’s visibility and cohesion but also serve as the foundation for long-term strategic planning. By mapping these stakeholders and establishing a unified brand, TPLC will be better equipped to foster collaboration, advocate for sustainable practices, and effectively communicate our mission to a broader audience. The grant will empower us to solidify our role as a leader in sustainable land stewardship, ensuring that our work benefits both the Navajo Nation and other Indigenous communities.

Our project aims to create sustainable job opportunities for Indigenous youth while fostering climate resilience in our community. By cultivating stewardship practices, we empower young leaders to manage local resources effectively, increase community engagement, and leverage traditional knowledge to address the climate crisis and protect our environment for future generations.

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) The Blackfeet Nation has long faced significant challenges related to food insecurity, health disparities, and the loss of traditional food systems. These issues, compounded by economic instability and the impacts of climate change, have created a critical need for sustainable, culturally grounded solutions. FAST Blackfeet was founded to address these challenges by reclaiming our food sovereignty, promoting nutrition and growing education, and providing accessible, healthy food to our community. As our organization has grown, so too have the demands on our dedicated staff, who are the backbone of our programs. However, the increasing workload, coupled with limited resources, has made it challenging to retain and support our staff effectively. Any staff turnover threatens the continuity and effectiveness of our services, directly impacting our ability to meet the needs of the community. This grant presents an opportunity to strengthen our organization’s capacity by investing in staff retention and wellness. By focusing on these areas, we can ensure that our team remains motivated, supported, and equipped to continue the vital work of addressing food insecurity and promoting sustainable practices. The grant will allow us to implement wellness initiatives and provide professional development opportunities all of which are essential for maintaining a stable and effective workforce. Ultimately, this investment in our staff will translate into more robust and sustainable programs, better service delivery, and a greater overall impact on the Blackfeet Nation. By securing this grant, we aim to build a resilient team that can continue driving our mission forward, ensuring a healthier, food-secure future for our community.

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) The Kake Tribal Heritage Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting Tlingit culture, with a strong focus on empowering the youth in our community. Through programs centered on Tlingit values and traditions, we aim to equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to carry forward our cultural heritage. In a small community like Kake, with a population of around 550 and a limited number of high school students, our impact is significant. We have successfully engaged local youth through internships focused on Tlingit traditions, providing them with a unique opportunity to connect with their roots and learn what it truly means to be Tlingit. However, to sustain and expand these programs, marketing and fundraising are essential. They not only help secure the resources needed to continue our work but also empower our youth by teaching them vital skills in promoting and supporting their own cultural initiatives. These skills are crucial for the long-term preservation of Tlingit heritage, enabling our youth to become the next generation of leaders who will champion and protect our way of life. Through strategic marketing and fundraising efforts, we aim to raise awareness about our mission, attract broader community support, and secure the financial stability needed to continue our cultural programs. By investing in these areas, we ensure that the knowledge, values, and traditions of the Tlingit people are not only preserved but also actively taught and practiced by future generations, ensuring the ongoing vitality of our culture.

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) The Sicangu Food Sovereignty Initiative (SFSI) was created to address critical food insecurity and revive traditional food practices on the Rosebud Reservation, rooted in the community's deep cultural and environmental concerns. Our project, named Yuptókakiŋ—which means "to peek under the surface" or "to delve into details" in Lakota—reflects our commitment to thoroughly understanding and transforming our food systems. The opportunity to attend the First Nations Development Institute’s (FNDI) Food Sovereignty Summit is pivotal for our entire team. This summit offers an exceptional platform for our team to engage with Indigenous leaders and experts who are advancing innovative food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture practices. Participation will provide us with critical insights and strategies essential for enhancing our program’s effectiveness. This grant will enable us to leverage this opportunity to its fullest potential. With support, our team will enhance its capacity by integrating new insights and best practices into our ongoing projects. This includes strengthening our food systems, improving our approach to land stewardship, and enhancing our overall impact on community health and self-sufficiency. The knowledge gained will also be shared within our organization and with our broader community, amplifying the benefits of this grant and fostering a more resilient and self-sufficient food system for the Siċaŋġu Lak̇ot̄a Oyate. The insights gained from the summit will be pivotal for our team by allowing us to live into the concept of Yuptókakiŋ and allow us to create a more impactful program. We will disseminate these learnings within our organization and across our community, ensuring that the benefits extend beyond our team to the broader Siċaŋġu Lak̇ot̄a Oyate. Investing in this professional development will drive meaningful, long-term change in our food sovereignty efforts, creating a sustainable and thriving food system for future generations.

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) UNITY’s environmental stewardship program first started in the 1990’s and was re-established in 2015 with the support of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community after not having adequate funding. The initial program was meant to provide travel for youth to attend National Recognitions Awards ceremonies and attend leadership trainings After re-launching the program, now known as UNITY’s Earth Ambassador program, a cohort of Native youth will have an opportunity to learn more about environmental issues and how to become effective ambassadors for the earth. Selected youth cohort members will have demonstrated leadership potential, shown an interest in protecting the environment, and been active in community service projects. Each cohort will attend training sessions and informational workshops to increase their knowledge of environmental issues affecting Native communities, learn to serve as an ambassador to increase awareness of the issues affecting the environmental quality on Native lands, and promote the efforts to address environmental concerns within Native communities.

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) The opportunity lies in leveraging social media tools and strategies to increase engagement, build relationships, and raise awareness about the reawakening of our sleeping language, contributing to the preservation and promotion of our Indigenous identity. The essence of this project lies in the belief that our projects lack depth without the inclusion of our Indigenous language. Our language plays a vital role in defining our identity. Despite our numerous projects centered around traditional stewardship and achieving federal recognition as a Nation, the absence of our language diminishes a significant part of our endeavors. Our language serves as a guiding force for all our projects, and their success is interconnected. Therefore, without our language, the success of our other initiatives is at risk.