About Better Way Foundation
A family foundation, rooted in Catholic social values, Better Way Foundation invests in systemic, holistic and evidence-based approaches that support the positive development of all children.
Focus Areas
Early childhood developmentIndigenous/Native communitiesEducationEconomic opportunity / community developmentLanguage and culture revitalizationTruth & Healing / reconciliationImpact investing
Who They Fund
Indigenous children ages 0-8 (early childhood)K-12 Indigenous students in tribal and Catholic schoolsUrban Indigenous youthIndigenous families and caretakers (including language apprentices)
About Better Way Foundation
A defining thread in Better Way Foundation’s grantmaking is long-term, invitation-only partnership work with Indigenous communities, especially through nine- to ten-year initiatives. The foundation backs systemic, holistic, evidence-based approaches for children and families, and its recent grants show that this often takes the form of capacity building, transitional support, and network-level investment rather than short project awards. One of the clearest examples is the $200,000 grant to Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe for “Cultural Curriculum for Weetumuw School and Beyond!,” which ties education to language and cultural continuity. Another major award, $185,000 to University of Notre Dame for “American Indian Catholic Schools Network (AICSN) Support 2020-2024,” shows that the foundation also works through school networks and institutional partnerships. Grants to organizations such as Hearts Gathered and Lower Sioux Indian Community point to a pattern of support for community-based Indigenous education and transitions that strengthen local capacity. The foundation’s program list also includes Indigenous early childhood development, truth and healing, language revitalization, and Native community development finance, indicating a portfolio built around Native-serving organizations and systems-level change. Recent grants show that it funds both direct service and the organizational infrastructure needed to sustain that work over time.
What Better Way Foundation Funds
In Indigenous early childhood development, Better Way Foundation supports culturally rooted curriculum, educator formation, and pre-K to kindergarten transitions. A $100,000 grant to Keres Children's Learning Center for “Indigenous Montessori Institute Strategic Growth Phase” fits that pattern, as does support for Wicoie Nandagikendan’s capacity growth in Minneapolis. The foundation also funds Native language and culture revitalization. Its $100,000 grant to Comanche Language and Cultural Preservation Committee for “Building the Capacity of CLCPC” reflects that focus, while the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe award linked cultural curriculum to school-based learning. Truth and healing is another recurring area. Better Way Foundation gave $100,000 to Red Cloud Indian School for “Truth & Healing Project - Part II,” and the AICSN support grant shows how that theme extends into American Indian Catholic schools and networked education. On the economic side, the foundation uses PRIs to expand housing, healthcare, and economic opportunity for Native children, families, and communities through Native CDFIs.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$2M
Total Assets
$68.2M
Total Revenue
$1.4M
Total Expenses
$3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $5K and $100K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$100K
Geographic Reach
National20 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Where Better Way Foundation Funds
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Better Way Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 118 | $5.1M | 84.3% |
| 2 | Tanzania | 22 |
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