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    First Peoples Fund

    ActivePublic CharityArts, Culture & HumanitiesMakes PRIs
    RAPID CITY, SDWebsiteEIN: 82-05836823 filings on record

    About First Peoples Fund

    We honor and support the Collective Spirit of First Peoples artists and culture bearers. By supporting artists and culture bearers, First Peoples Fund helps Native communities heal and thrive. Collectively, we approach our work with rootedness, intuition, listening, humility and deep relationships.

    Focus Areas

    Indigenous arts and cultural preservationNative artist fellowships and awardsPerforming arts (Native Performing Arts)Music programs and studiosArtist professional development and business trainingNative nonprofit capacity building and community developmentEmergency/rapid-response grants for artists

    Who They Fund

    individual artists/fellowscultural and arts organizationsorganizations using fiscal sponsorshipyouth in out-of-school programs

    About First Peoples Fund

    First Peoples Fund’s grantmaking centers Native artists and culture bearers, with support that reaches individual fellowships, community awards, live production, and organizational capacity. A defining thread in the recent record is Indigenous arts ecology building: the foundation has made repeated $50,000 grants to Native-led organizations and intermediaries, while also making a $50,000 Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award and a $1,750,000 designated fund grant to Indian Land Tenure Foundation. That mix shows a funder working across direct artist support and the institutions that sustain Native cultural work. The foundation also supports music, performing arts, and artist entrepreneurship through named programs such as Native Performing Arts, Cultural Capital, and Artist in Business Leadership. Its model includes unrestricted general operating support for Native arts organizations through Rooted Pathways Grant and cohort-based support through Native Arts Ecology Building grants. In parallel, First Peoples Fund funds residencies and visiting artist activity at Oglala Lakota Artspace on Pine Ridge Reservation, and it recognizes community leadership through nomination-based awards for Native artists and culture bearers. Across the record, the emphasis stays on Native-led cultural practice, artistic development, and the community structures around them.

    What First Peoples Fund Funds

    In Indigenous arts and cultural preservation, First Peoples Fund backs both individuals and institutions. A $50,000 Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award recognizes a Native artist or culture bearer for cultural generosity and community uplift, while a $50,000 NAEB grant to Wisconsin Native Loan Fund Inc. supports Native arts ecology building through organizational and community infrastructure. Performing arts is another clear line of work. The foundation gave $100,000 to Lakota Funds for a Native Arts Ecology Building grant, and its program structure includes Native Performing Arts Fellowship and Live Production Grants for theater, music, dance, and other performance forms. Artist entrepreneurship shows up in the Artist in Business Leadership Fellowship, a yearlong program with $10,000 support toward business needs. For place-based arts practice, First Peoples Fund runs the OLA Artist-In-Residence Program on Pine Ridge Reservation in Kyle, South Dakota, serving culture bearers and artists of the Oceti Sakowin and broader Lakota communities.

    How First Peoples Fund Gives

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $3.2M

    Total Assets

    $16.1M

    Total Revenue

    $9.2M

    Total Expenses

    $7.1M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $20K and $31K, with a median of $20K.

    25th Percentile

    $20K

    Median

    $20K

    75th Percentile

    $31K

    Geographic Reach

    National15 states funded

    About 18% of grants go to recipients in SD.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

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    Funding Style

    designated/restricted fundingfellowships/individual artist supportproject-based grantsorganizational resilience/capacity support

    Topics

    cultural sector resilienceartist fellowships and professional developmentout-of-school-time arts programmingfiscal sponsorship supportcommunity cultural preservation/treasurers

    Typical grants cluster tightly around $20,000, with the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile at $20,000, $20,000, and $31,250. The recent record also includes larger program grants at $50,000 and a $1,750,000 designated fund award. Several organizations appear more than once across multiple years, including Red Eagle Soaring, Lightning Boy Foundation Inc, Warm Springs Community Action Team, Dakota Wicohan, Mni Sota Fund, and Four Bands Community Fund, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-off awards. First Peoples Fund is a public charity and a regular funder, and it also makes program-related investments. Some programs accept unsolicited applications, including Native Performing Arts Fellowship and Live Production Grants, Artist in Business Leadership, Rooted Pathways, NAEB Grants, and the OLA Artist-In-Residence Program.

    Where First Peoples Fund Makes Grants

    Grants go to recipients across the United States, with South Dakota as the top state by grant count and 18% of grants landing there. Recent South Dakota recipients include Lakota Funds in Kyle, Four Bands Community Fund in Eagle Butte, and Oglala Sioux Tribe in Kyle. Minnesota appears frequently as well, with grants to Little Canada, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Morton. Other recipient cities include Seattle, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Juneau, showing a national footprint rather than a single-region pattern.

    Frequently Asked Questions About First Peoples Fund

    What kinds of organizations and people does First Peoples Fund support?

    It supports Native artists and culture bearers, Native arts and cultural organizations, organizations using fiscal sponsorship, and youth in out-of-school programs. The grant record also shows support for Native nonprofit capacity building, artist fellowships, community development, and live performing arts productions.

    What is the typical grant size?

    The typical award centers on $20,000. The reported distribution shows a 25th percentile of $20,000, a median of $20,000, and a 75th percentile of $31,250, with some larger awards reaching $50,000 and one designated fund grant at $1,750,000.

    Does First Peoples Fund accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes, for several programs. The Native Performing Arts Fellowship and Live Production Grants, Artist in Business Leadership Fellowship, Rooted Pathways Grant, Native Arts Ecology Building Grants, and the OLA Artist-In-Residence Program all accept unsolicited applications.

    What are the main focus areas in the grant record?

    The foundation supports Indigenous arts and cultural preservation, Native artist fellowships and awards, Native performing arts, music programs and studios, artist professional development and business training, Native nonprofit capacity building, emergency and rapid-response grants for artists, and general operating support for Native arts organizations.

    Are any grants recurring across multiple years?

    Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Red Eagle Soaring, Lightning Boy Foundation Inc, Warm Springs Community Action Team, Dakota Wicohan, Mni Sota Fund, and Four Bands Community Fund. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships in some program areas.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    INDIAN LAND TENURE FOUNDATIONLITTLE CANADA, MN$1,750,0002025DESIGNATED FUND
    MINNESOTA INDIGENOUS BUSINESS ALLIAST PAUL, MN$50,0002025NAEB 2024-004
    CHI ISHBOK INCDOWAGIAC, MI$50,0002025NAEB 2024-001
    WISCONSIN NATIVE LOAN FUND INCLAC DU FLAMBEAU, WI$50,0002025NAEB 2024-002
    WARM SPRINGS COMMUNITY ACTION TEAMWARM SPRINGS, OR$50,0002025NAEB 2024-003
    TWO WORLDSALBUQUERQUE, NM$50,0002025NAEB 2024-005
    LAKOTA FUNDSKYLE, SD$100,0002024FPF NAEB 23-01
    NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY DEV INSTITUTEMINNEAPOLIS, MN$50,0002024FPF NAEB FUNDING 23
    MNI SOTA FUNDMINNEAPOLIS, MN$50,0002024FPF NAEB GRANT 23-02
    RED EAGLE SOARINGSEATTLE, WA$50,0002024FPF NAEB GRANT 23-06
    AUTRY MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN WESTLOS ANGELES, CA$50,0002024FPF NAEB GRANT 23-04
    WARM SPRINGS COMMUNITY ACTION TEAMWARM SPRINGS, OR$50,0002024FPF BAEB GRANT 23-05
    KE KUKUI FOUNDATIONVANCOURVER, WA$50,0002024FPF NAEB FUNDING 23
    AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY HOUSING ORGANIZATIONDULUTH, MN$50,0002024FPF NAEB FUNDING 23
    LIGHTNING BOY FOUNDATION INCSANTE FE, NM$50,0002024FPF NAEB GRANT 23-01
    INDIGENOUS ROOTSST PAUL, MN$50,0002024IR 2023 NAEB
    4-DIRECTIONS DEVELOPMENT INCRED LAKE, MN$50,0002024FPF NAEB FUNDING 23
    FOUR BANDS COMMUNITY FUNDEAGLE BUTTE, SD$25,0002024FPF NAEB GRANT 22-04
    DAKOTA WICOHANMORTON, MN$25,0002024FPF NAEB GRANT 22-03
    OYATE TECA PROJECTKYLE, SD$20,0002024CULTURAL TREASURERS
    AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH RUNNING STRONG INCALEXANDRIA, VA$20,0002024SCT FISCAL SPONS BHS
    OGLALA SIOUX TRIBEKYLE, SD$20,0002024SCT OST ARTIST
    REDBUND RESOURCE GROUPROHNERT PARK, CA$10,0002024FPF NAEB GRANT 23-07
    MOVEMENT STRATEGY CENTEROAKLAND, CA$10,0002024FPF NAEB 23 - AFC
    DAKTOA WICOHANMORTON, MN$25,0002023FPF NAEB GRANT 22-03
    RED EAGLE SOARINGSEATTLE, WA$25,0002023FPF NAEB GRANT 22-05
    FOUR BANDS COMMUNITY FUNDEAGLE BUTTE, SD$25,0002023FPF NAEB GRANT 22-04
    MNI SOTA FUNDMINNEAPOLIS, MN$25,0002023FPF NAEB GRANT 22-01
    LIGHTNING BOY FOUNDATION INCSANTA FE, NM$25,0002023FPF NAEB GRANT 22-02
    SITTING BULLFORT YATES, ND$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    NORTHWEST NATIVE BASKETWEAVERS ASSOCOVINGTON, WA$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    MINNESOTA INDIGENOUS BUSINESS ALLIAST PAUL, MN$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    NEO PHILANTHROPY INCNEW YORK, NY$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    GREATER JUNEAU ARTS & HUMANITIESJUNEAU, AK$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    MENOMINEE INDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICTKESHENA, WI$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    THE HOPI FOUNDATIONKYKOLSMOVI, AZ$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    MUSKOGEE(CREEK) NATIONOKMULGEE, OK$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY DEV CORPBROWNING, MT$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    AN OPERA THEATREMINNEAPOLIS, MN$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    CITIZEN POTAWATOMI COMM DEV CORPSHAWNEE, OK$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    KAWERAK INCNOME, AK$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    INDIGENOUSWAYSSANTA FE, NM$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TASK FORCEMINNEAPOLIS, MN$20,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    CHEYENNE RIVER YOUTH PROJECTEAGLE BUTTE, SD$10,0002023FPF EP FELLOWSHIP 03
    SOUTHWEST ORGANIZING PROJECTALBUQUERQUE, NM$10,0002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TASK FORCEMINNEAPOLIS, MN$10,0002023FPF EP FELLOWSHIP 02
    THE NICOLAYSEN ART MUSEUMCASPER, WY$10,0002023CSF RESILIENCE FUND
    NITSO INCORPORATEDSISSETON, SD$10,0002023FPF EP FELLOWSHIP 01
    OYATE TECA PROJECTKYLE, SD$7,5002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT
    SEVENTH GENERATION FUNDARCATA, CA$7,5002023CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    INDIAN LAND TENURE FOUNDATION

    $1,750,000
    LITTLE CANADA, MN2025

    DESIGNATED FUND

    MINNESOTA INDIGENOUS BUSINESS ALLIA

    $50,000
    ST PAUL, MN2025

    NAEB 2024-004

    CHI ISHBOK INC

    $50,000
    DOWAGIAC, MI2025

    NAEB 2024-001

    WISCONSIN NATIVE LOAN FUND INC

    $50,000
    LAC DU FLAMBEAU, WI2025

    NAEB 2024-002

    WARM SPRINGS COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM

    $50,000
    WARM SPRINGS, OR2025

    NAEB 2024-003

    TWO WORLDS

    $50,000
    ALBUQUERQUE, NM2025

    NAEB 2024-005

    LAKOTA FUNDS

    $100,000
    KYLE, SD2024

    FPF NAEB 23-01

    NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY DEV INSTITUTE

    $50,000
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2024

    FPF NAEB FUNDING 23

    MNI SOTA FUND

    $50,000
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2024

    FPF NAEB GRANT 23-02

    RED EAGLE SOARING

    $50,000
    SEATTLE, WA2024

    FPF NAEB GRANT 23-06

    AUTRY MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN WEST

    $50,000
    LOS ANGELES, CA2024

    FPF NAEB GRANT 23-04

    WARM SPRINGS COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM

    $50,000
    WARM SPRINGS, OR2024

    FPF BAEB GRANT 23-05

    KE KUKUI FOUNDATION

    $50,000
    VANCOURVER, WA2024

    FPF NAEB FUNDING 23

    AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY HOUSING ORGANIZATION

    $50,000
    DULUTH, MN2024

    FPF NAEB FUNDING 23

    LIGHTNING BOY FOUNDATION INC

    $50,000
    SANTE FE, NM2024

    FPF NAEB GRANT 23-01

    INDIGENOUS ROOTS

    $50,000
    ST PAUL, MN2024

    IR 2023 NAEB

    4-DIRECTIONS DEVELOPMENT INC

    $50,000
    RED LAKE, MN2024

    FPF NAEB FUNDING 23

    FOUR BANDS COMMUNITY FUND

    $25,000
    EAGLE BUTTE, SD2024

    FPF NAEB GRANT 22-04

    DAKOTA WICOHAN

    $25,000
    MORTON, MN2024

    FPF NAEB GRANT 22-03

    OYATE TECA PROJECT

    $20,000
    KYLE, SD2024

    CULTURAL TREASURERS

    AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH RUNNING STRONG INC

    $20,000
    ALEXANDRIA, VA2024

    SCT FISCAL SPONS BHS

    OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE

    $20,000
    KYLE, SD2024

    SCT OST ARTIST

    REDBUND RESOURCE GROUP

    $10,000
    ROHNERT PARK, CA2024

    FPF NAEB GRANT 23-07

    MOVEMENT STRATEGY CENTER

    $10,000
    OAKLAND, CA2024

    FPF NAEB 23 - AFC

    DAKTOA WICOHAN

    $25,000
    MORTON, MN2023

    FPF NAEB GRANT 22-03

    RED EAGLE SOARING

    $25,000
    SEATTLE, WA2023

    FPF NAEB GRANT 22-05

    FOUR BANDS COMMUNITY FUND

    $25,000
    EAGLE BUTTE, SD2023

    FPF NAEB GRANT 22-04

    MNI SOTA FUND

    $25,000
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2023

    FPF NAEB GRANT 22-01

    LIGHTNING BOY FOUNDATION INC

    $25,000
    SANTA FE, NM2023

    FPF NAEB GRANT 22-02

    SITTING BULL

    $20,000
    FORT YATES, ND2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    NORTHWEST NATIVE BASKETWEAVERS ASSO

    $20,000
    COVINGTON, WA2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    MINNESOTA INDIGENOUS BUSINESS ALLIA

    $20,000
    ST PAUL, MN2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    NEO PHILANTHROPY INC

    $20,000
    NEW YORK, NY2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    GREATER JUNEAU ARTS & HUMANITIES

    $20,000
    JUNEAU, AK2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    MENOMINEE INDIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

    $20,000
    KESHENA, WI2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    THE HOPI FOUNDATION

    $20,000
    KYKOLSMOVI, AZ2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    MUSKOGEE(CREEK) NATION

    $20,000
    OKMULGEE, OK2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY DEV CORP

    $20,000
    BROWNING, MT2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    AN OPERA THEATRE

    $20,000
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    CITIZEN POTAWATOMI COMM DEV CORP

    $20,000
    SHAWNEE, OK2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    KAWERAK INC

    $20,000
    NOME, AK2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    INDIGENOUSWAYS

    $20,000
    SANTA FE, NM2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TASK FORCE

    $20,000
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    CHEYENNE RIVER YOUTH PROJECT

    $10,000
    EAGLE BUTTE, SD2023

    FPF EP FELLOWSHIP 03

    SOUTHWEST ORGANIZING PROJECT

    $10,000
    ALBUQUERQUE, NM2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TASK FORCE

    $10,000
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2023

    FPF EP FELLOWSHIP 02

    THE NICOLAYSEN ART MUSEUM

    $10,000
    CASPER, WY2023

    CSF RESILIENCE FUND

    NITSO INCORPORATED

    $10,000
    SISSETON, SD2023

    FPF EP FELLOWSHIP 01

    OYATE TECA PROJECT

    $7,500
    KYLE, SD2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    SEVENTH GENERATION FUND

    $7,500
    ARCATA, CA2023

    CSF RESILIENCE GRANT

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from First Peoples Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Opening soonNext cycleAward: Up to $55K

    Rooted Pathways Grant

    general operating supportorganizational well-beingNative arts organizations+2 more

    Who can apply: Native-led arts organizations/businesses/collectives with budgets under $500,000; serves U.S.-based Native artists and culture bearers; at least two years of activity; based in the 50 U.S. states, D.C., and/or U.S. territories; leadership must be Native; current grantees ineligible; cannot be enrolled in an academic degree program; prior FPF grantees must have submitted final reports.

    Deadline: Applications window: April 30 - May 29, 2026 at 5:59pm MST

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.