Acorn Fund 2026

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include Native knowledge holders working in the field of Native arts, including, but not limited to:

• Artists and culture bearers
• Scholars and independent researchers
• Curators and museum professionals
• Arts administrators and community cultural leaders

We welcome applicants at different stages of their artistic, cultural, and professional journeys.

All applicants must complete First Nations’ online grant application, including submission of necessary attachments, no later than Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 5 pm Mountain Time.

The application includes a combination of short checklists and narrative responses. Applicants will be asked to share:

Project Activity Information

• The primary activities involved in the project
• Whom you anticipate will benefit most from the work

Responses to Narrative Questions

1. Project Description and Goals
2. Significance and Community Relevance
3. Outcomes, Growth, and Knowledge Sharing

Applicants may include a brief timeline for their chosen project and/or activity period in Narrative Question 1.

Activity/Project Budget

Applicants will also submit a simple budget summary. They may list major expense categories and approximate amounts. This budget does not need to be detailed or final. Estimates are welcome. Total estimated costs must be between $1,500 and $5,000.

Optional Attachments

Applicants may upload supplemental materials if they feel these materials help provide additional context for their project. Attachments are completely optional and are not required for applications to be considered.

Examples of optional attachments include:

• Resume or CV
• Brief artist bio
• Letters of support or mentorship confirmation
• Documentation of past work (images, exhibition lists, performance history)
• Project timeline (if not included in the narrative)
• Other relevant supporting materials

If you choose to upload attachments:

• All documents must be saved and uploaded as PDF files.
• Attachments should be concise and directly relevant to your proposed project.

Applications will be evaluated based primarily on the required questions. Optional attachments are meant to provide additional context, not to determine eligibility.

Application Review

Applications are reviewed with care and respect for Native ways of knowing, learning, and sharing. We look for projects that:

• Support cultural continuity and revitalization
• Are grounded in community and guided by relationships
• Have a clear sense of purpose and intention
• Feel realistic within the proposed timeline
• Reflect the spirit and goals of this program

Applicants do not need academic credentials, institutional affiliation, or polished grant-writing to be competitive. We value lived experience, cultural knowledge, and community connection.

Examples of Grant Activities

Funds may support activities such as:

• Archival or collections research
• Travel to cultural sites, institutions, or conferences
• Apprenticeship or mentorship opportunities
• Learning or skill-building
• Cultural revitalization work
• Curatorial or exhibition research
• Community sharing activities (talks, workshops, gatherings)
• Documentation of cultural knowledge

Projects do not need to result in a formal exhibition or publication.

Examples of Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

• Travel (airfare, mileage, gas)
• Lodging
• Per diem
• Childcare or family accommodations as related to the project proposed
• Professional fees or honoraria
• Community outreach activities
• Other reasonable project-related expenses

Applicants will be asked to provide a brief budget summary outlining how they plan to use the grant funds. Total estimated costs must be between $1,500 and $5,000.

Reporting & Evaluation

Reporting and reflection are opportunities to listen, learn, and better understand how projects are strengthening Native arts, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and community vitality.

Grantees will be asked to submit a reflection within 60 days of completing their project period. This is designed to be simple, conversational, and grounded in storytelling, with an emphasis on lessons learned, community impact, and the continuation of cultural practices. Reflections may include:

• A short, written or verbal reflection
• Photographs (with appropriate permissions and considerations)
• Participation in a public program or webinar

First Nations aims to amplify grantee voices and highlight the impact of this funding, and hope grantees will be open to sharing what they have learned through this process. Participation in public-facing communications is optional and will be discussed individually.

We are committed to making this opportunity accessible and welcoming to applicants. Applying for funding should feel clear and supportive, not overly complicated or overwhelming.

Acorn Fund Applicant Overview

First Nations will host an optional, informational webinar for interested applicants prior to the application deadline. This webinar will provide interested applicants with an overview of the Acorn Fund program, eligibility criteria, and allowable activities and requirements. Attendees are also encouraged to ask questions about the Acorn Fund application and this funding opportunity.

Participation in this webinar is NOT mandatory, but applicants are strongly encouraged to register and attend.

APPLICANT WEBINAR WILL BE HELD ON:

• Thursday, April 2, 2026, 3 to 4 pm Mountain Time
• Register for the webinar here.

Additional Support

To support applicants further, our team is available to answer questions throughout the process. If you have questions about this program, eligibility, or application content, please contact us at nalk@firstnations.org.

For technical questions or issues related to the application portal (Fluxx), please contact our grants management team at grantmaking@firstnations.org.

We recognize that people engage and learn in different ways, and we are committed to providing responsive support throughout the application process.

We are also committed to accessibility and will work to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure meaningful participation. Applicants are encouraged to share any accommodation requests by contacting our team at nalk@firstnations.org, and we will do our best to respond in a timely manner.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 5 pm Mountain Time.