News

Pandemic Relief and Recovery Support Available to Native Communities through First Nations’ Western COVID-19 Response Grant

Tribes in Western States: Apply by June 24, 2021

LONGMONT, Colo. (June 14, 2021) – First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) has announced that pandemic relief and response support is being provided through the new Western COVID-19 Response Grant.

Applications are now being accepted electronically from Native American applicants who are or who serve adults and transitioning youth with disabilities, elders, foster youth, and veterans and military families, and who are located in the Western United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Applications must be submitted through First Nations’ online grant system, and are due June 24, 2021. A free Q&A session on the application process and criteria will be held June 15, 2021, at 2 pm Mountain. Register here.

The grants are made possible thanks to the support of the May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, and will be used over a two-year period to support the long-term sustainability and resiliency of Native American nonprofits, organizations, and tribes that have been serving their communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grants range from $23,000 to $28,000, and will be awarded as general support to be used to meet the needs of the target populations in multiple ways, including to provide access to PPE; assistance with housing, food security or other critical human services; existing or expanded mental health programs; capacity building and leadership development; advocacy training to enhance Native access to philanthropic funding; strengthening of cultural connectedness among youth and elders who experience isolation due to COVID-19; financial bridge support; and communications and technology.

About First Nations Development Institute

For 40 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cultural heritage or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native American communities. First Nations serves Native American communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org.

PROGRAM CONTACT:

Rana LaPine, Program Officer
rlapine@firstnations.org or (303) 774-7836

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Jakober, Senior Communications Officer
ajakober@firstnations.org or (303) 774-7836