Project
As part of a focus on Research and Advocacy for Native Economic Justice, as well as Strengthening Native American Philanthropy, First Nations again led a survey on nonprofits nationwide that serve Native communities.
The survey built on First Nations’ 2004 research on “The Emerging Sector: Nonprofits in Indian Country,” which was the first-ever comprehensive study of a growing and vital, yet unexplored, group of organizations that provide services to and for Native peoples. The survey also revisited First Nations’ 2020 research on “The Native Nonprofit Sector and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Charting a Path Forward,” which illuminated a huge degree of uncertainty as Native nonprofits responded to COVID-19 in their communities and looked to bounce back from the economic crisis resulting from the global pandemic.
Survey Results
The “Native American Nonprofit Organization and Leadership Survey” gathered responses from 587 Native nonprofit leaders between November 2025 and February 2026 (see below for background information).
First Nations’ 2026 publication, “Another Blow to Democracy: Examining Private Foundation Support for Native-Led Nonprofits,” documents how the current political climate, funding uncertainty, and shifting philanthropic priorities are affecting Native-led organizations.
A few key findings:
- 29% of Native nonprofits surveyed reported having grants revoked due to federal budget cuts.
- 71% of respondents anticipate that the current political climate will negatively affect their organization’s ability to carry out its work.
- 86% expressed moderate or extreme concern about decreases in federal funding, while 92% expressed concern about political challenges facing Native Nations.
- 65% disagreed that the philanthropic sector provides adequate funding for Native communities, and 62% disagreed that philanthropy generally understands Tribal Sovereignty.
Beyond documenting these challenges, the report offers recommendations directly from Native nonprofit leaders, who call on philanthropy to increase investments, provide flexible and unrestricted funding, strengthen relationships with Native organizations, and support Tribal Sovereignty and self-determination. Download the publication here.
Survey FAQs
Why conduct a survey of Native nonprofits and nonprofit leaders?
There are real data gaps in understanding the Native nonprofit sector and in the aggregate demographic data of Native nonprofits and nonprofit leaders. First Nations hopes this study will help fill those gaps The survey also asks how nonprofit leaders, and their organizations, are adapting to the current political environment, and how the philanthropic sector can better support the Native nonprofit sector.
Eligibility Criteria: Who should take the survey?
We hope all Native nonprofit leaders will take the survey to help expand our understanding of organizations and leaders in the Native nonprofit sector. This includes Native nonprofit leaders, including CEOs, executive directors, and other C-suite leaders. We ask that only one survey be completed per organization.
Can I share the survey with other Native nonprofit leaders?
Yes! Please share the survey with other Native nonprofit leaders who meet the criteria .
Incentives for Participation
First Nations is providing two incentives for participants who meet the eligibility criteria and submit a completed survey.
- Incentive 1: $300 (Participants must include their full name, email address, and mailing address. First Nations will email participants with more details after the survey closes)
- Incentive 2: Eligible participants who fully complete the survey can opt in for a drawing to receive a $10,000 general operating grant for their organization. Ten $10,000 grants will be awarded. To be considered for the grant drawing, participants must provide their organization’s name. Only one participant per organization is eligible for the drawing. Grant recipients will be chosen for the drawing at random from all collected surveys submitted via the link above between November 20, 2025, and January 23, 2026. The 10 winning survey participants will be notified via email.
Please note that First Nations will conduct an internal review of all survey responses to ensure data quality and completeness. Participants of surveys that are not fully completed or that have data quality concerns, will not be eligible for payment and their survey data will not be included in the report.
Survey Timeline
- Release: November 20, 2025
- Close: January 23, 2026.
- Incentives distributed to eligible participants: January 23, 2026. Checks or electronic transfers will be distributed after the survey closes. First Nations anticipates providing payments no later than February 23, 2026. This is an adjusted timeline from the initial dates provided.
- Drafting results: March to April 2026
- Release of public report: May 2026
Have questions about the survey?
If you have questions about the “Native American Nonprofit Organization and Leadership Survey,” please send an email to yrivera@firstnations.org and put Native American Nonprofit Organization and Leadership Survey in the subject line.
We will continue to update this page with more information about the survey.
Bookmark this page and check back for updates on the survey, summary memo, and final report.
The 2025 survey is made possible in part with support from the Allstate Foundation.
