Uplifting and sustaining the lifeways and economies of Native communities by investing in and creating institutions and models that strengthen asset control and support economic development for American Indian people and their communities.
First Nations Development Institute centers Native economic justice through direct grants to Tribes, Native-led organizations, and community institutions. The largest recent award in the data is $344,000 to Chugach Regional Resources Commission for economic development, and several other 2025 grants at $300,000 support entities such as the Makah Cultural and Research Center, Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, Lower Sioux Indian Community, Tulalip Foundation, and Pueblo of Pojoaque. That pattern points to a funder working at a community scale, with awards large enough to support tribal and regional initiatives rather than isolated projects. Their grantmaking aligns with a broader mission of uplifting Native lifeways and economies by strengthening asset control and supporting economic development for American Indian people and their communities. The recent grants list also shows support for cultural and language-linked institutions alongside tribal governments and Native nonprofits, including the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Inc, and The Little Eagle Arts Foundation. Across the active program list, the foundation funds Native food systems, land stewardship, environmental justice, youth culture, fellowships, and tribal capacity building. The result is a portfolio that connects economic development with cultural continuity, stewardship, and institutional strength.
Economic development is the clearest thread in the recent grant record. First Nations Development Institute gave $250,000 to American Indian Community Housing Organization in Duluth for economic development, and $200,000 to The Hopi School Inc in Kykotsmovi for economic development. It also backed workforce and community-led economic capacity through $150,000 grants to the Euchee (Yuchi) Language Project in Sapulpa and American Indian Resource Center Inc in Tahlequah. Culture and language are also part of the funding picture. A $150,000 grant to Aha Pūnana Leo in Hilo supports language-related work, while $250,000 to The Little Eagle Arts Foundation in Wisconsin Dells and $200,000 to Woodland Indian Art Inc in Oneida show support for Native arts institutions. The foundation likewise funds Native youth and cultural projects, as seen in the $250,000 grant to Zuni Youth Enrichment Project in Zuni.
$29.4M
$116.2M
$56.4M
$30.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $35K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$35K
About 6% of grants go to recipients in CA.
MICHAEL ROBERTS
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Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $34,997 at the 75th percentile, but the recent grant list includes much larger awards for tribal and community institutions. The data shows repeated support across years, with 2024 and 2025 grants both present in the recent list. First Nations Development Institute is a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals as a general rule. The active grant programs show both open and closed entry points: general grantmaking through the Fluxx portal accepts unsolicited requests, while several program areas, including Native Agriculture & Food Systems Investments and Stewarding Native Lands Grant Investments, do not.
Grants are national in scope and all recipient-country records shown are in the United States. By count, South Dakota is the top state for grantmaking, while Colorado accounts for 6% of grants. Recent awards appear across Alaska, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Oklahoma. City-level examples include Anchorage, Neah Bay, Keshena, Morton, Tulalip, Santa Fe, Duluth, and Zuni, showing a strong spread across tribal communities and Native-serving institutions.
The recent grant record shows support for Tribes, Native-led nonprofits, cultural centers, housing organizations, schools, and youth programs. Examples in the data include tribal governments, the Makah Cultural and Research Center, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Inc, and Zuni Youth Enrichment Project. The active program list also includes fellowships and grant programs for Indigenous knowledge leaders.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $34,997 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows larger project and institutional awards, including multiple grants at $150,000 to $344,000.
Yes, for some entry points. The General Grantmaking portal accepts unsolicited applications, and the Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship also accepts unsolicited applications. By contrast, several program areas in the data, including Native Agriculture & Food Systems Investments and Stewarding Native Lands Grant Investments, do not accept unsolicited requests.
Giving is national, with 100% of the recipient-country records shown in the United States. South Dakota is the top state by grant count, and Colorado accounts for 6% of grants. Recent grants are spread across communities in Alaska, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Oklahoma.
The active programs point to Native economic justice, Native youth and culture, Indigenous knowledge leadership, Native agriculture and food systems, and stewardship of Native lands. The broader focus list also includes food sovereignty, land stewardship and conservation, environmental justice, economic development and financial empowerment, Native arts and language revitalization, and tribal capacity building.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from First Nations Development Institute that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Federal- and state-recognized tribal governments; Native-controlled 501(c)(3) nonprofits; Native 7871 organizations; fiscally-sponsored Native community organizations. Some opportunities include fellowships and scholarships for individuals.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KERES CHILDREN'S LEARNING CENTER | COCHITI PUEBLO, NM | $750,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| TEWA WOMEN UNITED | ESPANOLA, NM | $450,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CHANGING WOMAN INITIATIVE | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $375,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CHUGACH REGIONAL RESOURCES COMMISSI | ANCHORAGE, AK | $344,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| PUEBLO OF POJOAQUE | SANTA FE, NM | $300,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| MENOMINEE INDIAN TRIBE OF WISCONSIN | KESHENA, WI | $300,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| MAKAH CULTURAL AND RESEARCH CENTER | NEAH BAY, WA | $300,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| TULALIP FOUNDATION | TULALIP, WA | $300,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| LOWER SIOUX INDIAN COMMUNITY | MORTON, MN | $300,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| ZUNI YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROJECT | ZUNI, NM | $250,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY HOUSING O | DULUTH, MN | $250,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| THE LITTLE EAGLE ARTS FOUNDATION (L | WISCONSIN DELLS, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| INDIAN PUEBLO CULTURAL CENTER INC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $250,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| SHOALWATER BAY INDIAN TRIBE | TOKELAND, WA | $200,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| OSAGE NATION | PAWHUSKA, OK | $200,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| BISHOP PAIUTE TRIBE | BISHOP, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| TULE RIVER INDIAN TRIBE OF THE TUL | PORTERVILLE, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF GRAND RONDE | GRAND RONDE, OR | $200,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| KA IPU MAKANI CULTURAL HERITAGE CE | KAUNAKAKAI, HI | $200,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| PUEBLO OF ZUNI | ZUNI, NM | $200,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| WOODLAND INDIAN ART INC | ONEIDA, WI | $200,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| TANANAWIT | WARM SPRINGS, OR | $200,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| THE HOPI SCHOOL INC | KVKOTSMOVI, AZ | $200,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| MALKI MUSEUM INC | BANNING, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| MAKAH CULTURAL AND RESEARCH CENTER | NEAH BAY, WA | $160,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| PUEBLO OF POJOAQUE | SANTA FE, NM | $160,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| ZUNI YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROJECT | ZUNI, NM | $160,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| UKWAKHWA INC | DE PERE, WI | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| KWIYAGAT COMMUNITY ACADEMY UTE MOUNTAIN UTE TRIBE | TOWAOC, CO | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| SAAD K'IDILYE | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| UPPER SIOUX COMMUNITY | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| EUCHEE (YUCHI) LANGUAGE PROJECT IN | SAPULPA, OK | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| AMERICAN INDIAN RESOURCE CENTER INC | TAHLEQUAH, OK | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| AHA PUNANA LEO | HILO, HI | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| XINE WH-DING INC | HOOPA, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| MINNEAPOLIS INDIAN CENTER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| HO-CHUNK NATION OF WISCONSIN | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | PALA, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| KERES CHILDREN'S LEARNING CENTER | COCHITI PUEBLO, NM | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| SALISH SCHOOL OF SPOKANE | SPOKANE, WA | $150,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE | KYLE, SD | $125,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBE | EAGLE BUTTE, SD | $125,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| SISSETON WAHPETON OYATE | AGENCY VILLAGE, SD | $125,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| LOWER BRULE SIOUX TRIBE ENVIRONMEN | LOWER BRULE, SD | $125,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| MANDAN HIDATSA & ARKIKARA AFFILIAT | NEW TOWN, ND | $125,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| ROSEBUD SIOUX TRIBE | ROSEBUD, SD | $125,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| AFFILIATED TRIBES OF NORTHWEST INDI | PORTLAND, OR | $112,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| KAKE TRIBAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION | KAKE, AK | $100,462 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| ORGANIZED VILLAGE OF KAKE | KAKE, AK | $100,146 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
| NATIVE CONSERVANCY | CORDOVA, AK | $100,000 | 2025 | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
CHUGACH REGIONAL RESOURCES COMMISSI
$344,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PUEBLO OF POJOAQUE
$300,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MENOMINEE INDIAN TRIBE OF WISCONSIN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MAKAH CULTURAL AND RESEARCH CENTER
$300,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LOWER SIOUX INDIAN COMMUNITY
$300,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY HOUSING O
$250,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
THE LITTLE EAGLE ARTS FOUNDATION (L
$250,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SHOALWATER BAY INDIAN TRIBE
$200,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OSAGE NATION
$200,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BISHOP PAIUTE TRIBE
$200,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
TULE RIVER INDIAN TRIBE OF THE TUL
$200,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF GRAND RONDE
$200,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
KA IPU MAKANI CULTURAL HERITAGE CE
$200,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PUEBLO OF ZUNI
$200,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
WOODLAND INDIAN ART INC
$200,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MALKI MUSEUM INC
$200,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MAKAH CULTURAL AND RESEARCH CENTER
$160,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PUEBLO OF POJOAQUE
$160,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
UKWAKHWA INC
$150,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
KWIYAGAT COMMUNITY ACADEMY UTE MOUNTAIN UTE TRIBE
$150,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
UPPER SIOUX COMMUNITY
$150,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EUCHEE (YUCHI) LANGUAGE PROJECT IN
$150,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AMERICAN INDIAN RESOURCE CENTER INC
$150,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
XINE WH-DING INC
$150,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MINNEAPOLIS INDIAN CENTER
$150,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
HO-CHUNK NATION OF WISCONSIN
$150,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
$150,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE
$125,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBE
$125,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SISSETON WAHPETON OYATE
$125,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LOWER BRULE SIOUX TRIBE ENVIRONMEN
$125,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MANDAN HIDATSA & ARKIKARA AFFILIAT
$125,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ROSEBUD SIOUX TRIBE
$125,000ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ORGANIZED VILLAGE OF KAKE
$100,146ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
