Running Strong strengthens Native American youth by creating sustainable generational change and giving families the tools and hope to build a better life.
American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc centers its giving on Native youth and tribal communities, with grants that move from immediate family assistance to longer-term youth and cultural support. A clear pattern in the recent grants is its sustained support for reservation-based community needs: Pine Ridge Reservation Districts received $1,544,001 in 2024 for water and utilities assistance, following $1,300,159 in 2023 for the same purpose. That scale sits alongside major support for Oyate Teca Project in Kyle, South Dakota, which received $2,013,951 in 2024 for garden, youth and cultural support and $977,531 in 2023 for the same area. The foundation also funds culturally specific organizations such as Brave Heart Society in Lake Andes, South Dakota, which received $521,325 in 2024 and $591,300 in 2023 for cultural support. Its grantmaking combines direct service, youth development, and cultural preservation across tribal nations in the United States.
Health and wellness is one active program area, with direct support for health access, wellness, healing, and community health in Native communities. Youth development also appears prominently through school-based and youth-serving support; for example, Cheyenne River Reservation Districts in Eagle Butte, South Dakota received $429,564 in 2024 for youth support and food. Cultural and language preservation is another recurring theme. Xinewh-ding Inc in Hoopa, California received $96,806 in 2024 for language support, while Euchee Language Project in Sapulpa, Oklahoma received $75,744 in 2023 for the same purpose. The foundation also funds media and outreach, including $80,510 in 2024 to She Carries Her House Productions in Reno, Nevada for media support.
Typical grants cluster around mid-five figures, with a p25 of $10,000, median of $35,000, and p75 of $77,192. The recent grants list shows a wide spread from smaller school and holiday awards to seven-figure direct-service grants. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Pine Ridge Reservation Districts, Oyate Teca Project, Brave Heart Society, Cheyenne River Reservation Districts, Wakpala School, Nebo School District, Biiluuke Strong, and Today We Follow-tomorrow We Lead. The foundation is an operating grantmaker, not a fund for individuals, and it makes no program-related investments. Every listed grant in the dataset went to U.S. recipients, and the active programs shown do not accept unsolicited applications.
$8.3M
$10.1M
$10.4M
$10.1M
Most grants fall between $10K and $77K, with a median of $35K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$35K
75th Percentile
$77K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in SD.
BRYAN L KRIZEK
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Grantmaking is national in scope, but it is heavily concentrated in South Dakota recipient communities. Recent grants also reached Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Nebraska, California, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Utah, and Alabama. Among named recipient places, Pine Ridge and Eagle Butte, South Dakota appear repeatedly, along with Kyle and Lake Andes. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 87 grants in the United States.
Its active programs include health and wellness, youth development, youth and school support, microenterprise development, winter warmth assistance, culture and language preservation, food sovereignty and organic gardens, and critical needs support. The recent grants list also shows media support and holiday/youth support awards.
The listed active programs all show “Accepts unsolicited: False,” including health and wellness, youth development, microenterprise development, winter warmth, culture and language preservation, food sovereignty, and critical needs. The foundation’s support is program-based rather than open to unsolicited submissions.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $35,000 at the median, and $77,192 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants also include much larger awards for direct support programs, including seven-figure grants.
By grant count, South Dakota is the top giving state. Recent recipients there include Pine Ridge Reservation Districts in Pine Ridge, Oyate Teca Project in Kyle, Brave Heart Society in Lake Andes, Cheyenne River Reservation Districts in Eagle Butte, and Wakpala School in Wakpala.
Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Pine Ridge Reservation Districts, Oyate Teca Project, Brave Heart Society, Cheyenne River Reservation Districts, Wakpala School, Nebo School District, Biiluuke Strong, and Today We Follow-tomorrow We Lead. That shows repeat funding relationships in the recent grant record.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OYATE TECA PROJECT | KYLE, SD | $1,584,016 | 2025 | YOUTH CENTER, EDUCATION SUPPORT, CULTURAL PROGRAMMING, GARDENING AND FOOD |
| BRAVE HEART SOCIETY | LAKE ANDES, SD | $1,278,877 | 2025 | CULTURAL PROGRAMS |
| PINE RIDGE RESERVATION DISTRICTS | PINE RIDGE, SD | $1,171,600 | 2025 | WATER, HEAT MATCH, FOOD SECURITY, CRITICAL INKIND ASSISTANCE |
| CHEYENNE RIVER RESERVATION DISTRICTS | EAGLE BUTTE, SD | $486,495 | 2025 | SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM |
| BRUSHY CHEROKEE ACTION ASSOCIATION | SALLISAW, OK | $447,468 | 2025 | HOLIDAY PROGRAMS AND CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| WALKER RIVER PAIUTE TRIBE | SCHURZ, NV | $424,557 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| MULDROW CHEROKEE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION | MULDROW, OK | $242,275 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| MENOMINEE INDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT | KESHENA, WI | $234,317 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| WAKPALA SCHOOL | WAKPALA, SD | $145,414 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| CROW RESERVATION DISTRICTS | CROW AGENCY, MT | $141,072 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| THROUGH PISCATAWAY EYES | LA PLATA, MD | $138,132 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER, CULTURE PROGRAMS, HOLIDAY |
| THE BEBELA PROJECT | EAGLE BUTTE, SD | $130,240 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| DEPT OF INDIAN WORKINTERFAITH ACTION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $125,619 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| AFRAID OF BEAR AMERICAN HORSE TIOPAYE | CHADRON, NE | $112,670 | 2025 | CULTURE PROGRAMS |
| BIILUUKE STRONG | GARRYOWEN, MT | $112,559 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| IOWA TRIBE OF KS & NE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB | WHITE CLOUD, KS | $99,828 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| GREENVILLE RANCHERIA TRIBAL HEALTH | RED BLUFF, CA | $93,887 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| RURAL COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE FOUNDATION | MULDROW, OK | $92,828 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| NEBO SCHOOL DISTRICT | SPANISH FORK, UT | $91,552 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER, EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT |
| TODAY WE FOLLOW TOMORROW WE LEAD | CHINLE, AZ | $87,564 | 2025 | SUMMER AND HOLIDAY YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| SACRED HEALING CIRCLE | KEYSTONE, SD | $70,262 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER, CULTURE PROGRAMS |
| SHE CARRIES HER HOUSE PRODUCTIONS INC | RENO, NV | $57,888 | 2025 | YOUTH, MEDIA, COMMUNITY EVENTS |
| DRY CREEK RANCHERIA | SANTA ROSA, CA | $49,225 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| HO'OLA | KAMUELA, HI | $48,711 | 2025 | YOUTH, CULTURAL PROGRAMS |
| XINEWH-DING INC | HOOPA, CA | $45,300 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER, LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION |
| BLUE LAKE RANCHERIA | BLUE LAKE, CA | $45,048 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| THE BRIDGE FOUNDATION | BILLINGS, MT | $43,156 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER |
| SAN PASQUAL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | VALLEY CENTER, CA | $39,942 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE NATION | LAME DEER, MT | $38,449 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| WAMPUM CONSULTING | BROOKLYN, NY | $37,019 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER |
| DENVER INDIAN CENTER | DENVER, CO | $35,436 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE | UPPER LAKE, CA | $33,553 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| EUCHEE LANGUAGE PROJECT | SAPULPA, OK | $30,000 | 2025 | LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION |
| SCHOOL DISTRICT OF BOWLER | BOWLER, WI | $28,813 | 2025 | EDUCATION/SCHOOL SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FLAGSTAFF, AZ | $25,000 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER |
| KANSAS UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION | LAWRENCE, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION/SCHOOL SUPPORT |
| BRAVESTATL | ATLANTA, GA | $24,250 | 2025 | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT |
| TURTLE FUNDING FOUNDATION | SOUTHAMPTON, NY | $23,510 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER |
| INDIGENOUS PEOPLES COUNCIL ON BIOCOLONIALISM | NIXON, NV | $22,810 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE |
| ROCK HILL SCHOOL DISTRICT | ROCK HILL, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | YOUTH, EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN STEVENS POINT | STEVENS POINT, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER |
| NORTHERN ARIZONA PRIDE ASSOCIATION | FLAGSTAFF, AZ | $20,000 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER, COMMUNITY EVENTS |
| SUMMIT SCHOOL DISTRICT | SUMMIT, SD | $17,955 | 2025 | CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS |
| EARTH LAW CENTER | DURANGO, CO | $15,000 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE |
| INDIGENOUS HEALTH & WELLNESS CONNECTIONS | MIDVALE, UT | $10,000 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER |
| AMERICAN INDIAN ARTISTS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER |
| TRIANGLE NATIVE AMERICAN SOCIETY | RALEIGH, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER |
| THE RAICES COLLAB | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER |
| NATION FORD LAND TRUST | FORT MILL, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER |
| WIND RIVER FAMILY & HEALTH CENTER | RIVERTON, WY | $10,000 | 2025 | DREAMSTARTER |
OYATE TECA PROJECT
$1,584,016YOUTH CENTER, EDUCATION SUPPORT, CULTURAL PROGRAMMING, GARDENING AND FOOD
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION DISTRICTS
$1,171,600WATER, HEAT MATCH, FOOD SECURITY, CRITICAL INKIND ASSISTANCE
CHEYENNE RIVER RESERVATION DISTRICTS
$486,495SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM
BRUSHY CHEROKEE ACTION ASSOCIATION
$447,468HOLIDAY PROGRAMS AND CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
WALKER RIVER PAIUTE TRIBE
$424,557CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
MULDROW CHEROKEE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
$242,275CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
MENOMINEE INDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
$234,317CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
WAKPALA SCHOOL
$145,414CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
CROW RESERVATION DISTRICTS
$141,072CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
THROUGH PISCATAWAY EYES
$138,132DREAMSTARTER, CULTURE PROGRAMS, HOLIDAY
THE BEBELA PROJECT
$130,240CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
DEPT OF INDIAN WORKINTERFAITH ACTION
$125,619CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
AFRAID OF BEAR AMERICAN HORSE TIOPAYE
$112,670CULTURE PROGRAMS
BIILUUKE STRONG
$112,559CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
IOWA TRIBE OF KS & NE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
$99,828CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
GREENVILLE RANCHERIA TRIBAL HEALTH
$93,887CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
RURAL COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE FOUNDATION
$92,828CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
NEBO SCHOOL DISTRICT
$91,552DREAMSTARTER, EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
TODAY WE FOLLOW TOMORROW WE LEAD
$87,564SUMMER AND HOLIDAY YOUTH PROGRAMS
SACRED HEALING CIRCLE
$70,262DREAMSTARTER, CULTURE PROGRAMS
SHE CARRIES HER HOUSE PRODUCTIONS INC
$57,888YOUTH, MEDIA, COMMUNITY EVENTS
DRY CREEK RANCHERIA
$49,225CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
HO'OLA
$48,711YOUTH, CULTURAL PROGRAMS
XINEWH-DING INC
$45,300DREAMSTARTER, LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION
BLUE LAKE RANCHERIA
$45,048CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
THE BRIDGE FOUNDATION
$43,156DREAMSTARTER
SAN PASQUAL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
$39,942CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
WAMPUM CONSULTING
$37,019DREAMSTARTER
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
$33,553CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
EUCHEE LANGUAGE PROJECT
$30,000LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF BOWLER
$28,813EDUCATION/SCHOOL SUPPORT
BRAVESTATL
$24,250CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
TURTLE FUNDING FOUNDATION
$23,510DREAMSTARTER
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES COUNCIL ON BIOCOLONIALISM
$22,810DREAMSTARTER, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
ROCK HILL SCHOOL DISTRICT
$20,000YOUTH, EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN STEVENS POINT
$20,000DREAMSTARTER
NORTHERN ARIZONA PRIDE ASSOCIATION
$20,000DREAMSTARTER, COMMUNITY EVENTS
SUMMIT SCHOOL DISTRICT
$17,955CRITICAL AMERICAN INDIAN NEEDS
EARTH LAW CENTER
$15,000DREAMSTARTER, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
INDIGENOUS HEALTH & WELLNESS CONNECTIONS
$10,000DREAMSTARTER
AMERICAN INDIAN ARTISTS INC
$10,000DREAMSTARTER
TRIANGLE NATIVE AMERICAN SOCIETY
$10,000DREAMSTARTER
THE RAICES COLLAB
$10,000DREAMSTARTER
NATION FORD LAND TRUST
$10,000DREAMSTARTER
WIND RIVER FAMILY & HEALTH CENTER
$10,000DREAMSTARTER