The Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF) is a national, community-based organization serving American Indian nations and people in the recovery and control of their rightful homelands. We work to promote education, increase cultural awareness, create economic opportunity, and reform the legal and administrative systems that prevent Indian people from owning and controlling reservation lands.
A major part of the Indian Land Tenure Foundation’s recent grantmaking is its repeated support for Native Governance Center, including $1.1 million in 2024 for operations and another $1.1 million in 2025 for education. That pattern points to a funder that backs institutions over time, not just single projects. The foundation’s work centers on Indian land tenure: land recovery and reacquisition, estate planning and probate, tribal land management, K–12 education, cultural awareness, and Native economic development. It also supports practical tools for tribes and landowners, including legal reform, land office training, and programs tied to land control and stewardship. Other large awards show the same emphasis on organizational capacity and education. Native American Fish and Wildlife Society received $258,348 in 2025 for education, while Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance received $150,000 in 2024 for land restoration. The foundation also funds cultural and educational work that connects land history to community use, including documentary production, curriculum support, and programs for tribal youth and interns. Across these grants, the foundation gives in a national scope and keeps its attention on Indian country, tribal institutions, and Native-led efforts to recover and control land.
The foundation supports land restoration and reacquisition through grants tied to tribal stewardship and ownership. Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance received $150,000 in 2024 for land restoration, and Redbud Resource Group received $25,000 in 2025 for case studies on land. Education is another clear line of work: Native American Fish and Wildlife Society received $258,348 in 2025 for education, while Morongo Band of Mission Indians received $15,000 in 2024 and $13,139 in 2025 for education. Cultural work also appears in the grant list. Silver Bullet Productions received $35,000 in 2025 to create a documentary, and Spokane Tribal Network received $25,000 in 2025 for a cultural awareness grant. The foundation also funds workforce development connected to tribal land offices, with Chilchinbeto Chapter of the Navajo Nation and Kawerak Inc each receiving $15,000 in 2025 for tribal land office summer internships.
Typical awards are modest compared with the foundation’s largest grants: the grant-size distribution is $9,480 at the 25th percentile, $13,200 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. Larger institutional grants sit above that range, but most awards cluster much lower. The recent record shows repeat funding to the same recipients across years, including Native Governance Center, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, and Chilchinbeto Chapter of the Navajo Nation. The foundation is organized as a foundation with programmatic grantmaking; it also has active grant programs that accept unsolicited applications in several areas, including education, cultural awareness, legal reform, estate planning support, and economic opportunity. It also does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$1.5M
$81.3M
$21.5M
$13M
Most grants fall between $9K and $30K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$30K
About 12% of grants go to recipients in CA.
LINNEA JACKSON
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Grantmaking is national and reaches only U.S.-based recipients in the recent list. Minnesota appears often, with Minneapolis showing up in multiple large awards and the state receiving 17% of grants. Other recurring locations include Pine Ridge, South Dakota; Kayenta, Arizona; and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The top state by grant count is California, which reflects where the foundation gives most often, even though headquarters are in Minnesota. Recent grants also landed in Northglenn, Colorado; Banning, California; and Wellpinit, Washington.
Its active programs cover land recovery and reacquisition, economic opportunity on reservation lands, education tied to Indian land tenure, cultural awareness, legal reform, and estate planning support. Recent grants also show support for internships, documentary production, and land restoration work.
Yes. The foundation does not fund individuals, and its recent grants go to tribal nations, Native organizations, community groups, and educational or cultural entities.
The grant-size distribution centers at $9,480 at the 25th percentile, $13,200 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes much larger awards, such as $1.1 million to Native Governance Center.
Several of its active programs do, including Economic Opportunity Grants, Beyond Land Acknowledgement Fund, Education Grants, Cultural Awareness Grants, Legal Reform Grants, and Estate Planning Support. The Land Recovery Fund and Spirit of Sovereignty are listed as not accepting unsolicited applications.
Giving is national, with all recent grants going to U.S. recipients. California is the top state by grant count, and Minnesota recipients account for 17% of grants. Minneapolis, Pine Ridge, Kayenta, and Santa Fe all appear in the recent grant list.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Indian Land Tenure Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Tribal, local and state governments; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) designation, including institutions. Projects must align with ILTF's mission, fit the Legal Reform strategic area, and directly benefit Native people.
Who can apply: Tribal, local and state governments; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) designation; schools, universities and colleges with 501(c)(3) designation. Projects must align with ILTF's mission, fit the Economic Opportunity strategic area, and directly benefit Native people.
Who can apply: Tribal, local and state governments; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) designation; schools, universities and colleges with 501(c)(3) designation. Projects must align with ILTF's mission, fit the Cultural Awareness strategic area, and directly benefit Native people.
Who can apply: Tribal, local and state governments; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) designation; schools, universities and colleges with 501(c)(3) designation. Projects must align with ILTF's mission, fit the Education strategic area, and directly benefit Native people.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIVE GOVERNANCE CENTER | MINNEAPOLIS, NM | $1,100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NATIVE AMERICAN FISH AND WILDLIFE SOCIETY | NORTHGLENN, CO | $258,348 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| SILVER BULLET PRODUCTIONS | SANTA FE, NM | $35,000 | 2025 | CREATE DOCUMENTARY |
| SPOKANE TRIBAL NETWORK | WELLPINIT, WA | $25,000 | 2025 | CULTURAL AWARENESS GRANT |
| REDBUD RESOURCE GROUP | SANTA ROSA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CASE STUDIES ON LAND |
| CHEROKEE TRIBE OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA | HALEYVILLE, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | RIVER CANE HABITAT PRESERVATION |
| CHILCHINBETO CHAPTER OF THE NAVAJO NATION | KAYENTA, AZ | $15,000 | 2025 | TRIBAL LAND OFFICE SUMMER INTERNSHIP |
| KAWERAK INC | NOME, AR | $15,000 | 2025 | TRIBAL LAND OFFICE SUMMER INTERNSHIP |
| MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | BANNING, CA | $13,139 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| HEART OF OREGON CORPS | BEND, OR | $13,000 | 2025 | TRIBAL SUMMER INTERNSHIP |
| ROSEBUD SIOUX TRIBE | ROSEBUD, SD | $11,853 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| LOWER SIOUX INDIAN COMMUNITY | MORTON, NM | $10,000 | 2025 | TRIBAL LAND OFFICE SUMMER INTERNSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA RENO FOUNDATION | RENO, NV | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NATIVE GOVERNANCE CENTER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,100,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| BUFFALO NATIONS GRASSLANDS ALLIANCE | LOWER BRULE, SD | $150,000 | 2024 | LAND RESTORATION |
| MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | BANNING, CA | $15,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION |
| CHILCHINBETO CHAPTER OF THE NAVAJO NATION | KAYENTA, AZ | $12,393 | 2024 | EDUCATION |
| PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | PALA, CA | $11,855 | 2024 | EDUCATION |
| NATIVE GOVERNANCE CENTER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000,000 | 2023 | CULTURE PROGRAM |
| NATIVE GOVERNANCE CENTER | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $1,000,000 | 2023 | CULTURE PROGRAM |
| OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE | PINE RIDGE, SD | $30,440 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE | PINE RIDGE, SD | $30,440 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| SILVER BULLET PRODUCTIONS | SANTA FE, NM | $30,000 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| ALOHA KUAMO'O AINA | KALIUA KONA, HI | $30,000 | 2023 | CULTURE PROGRAM |
| ALOHA KUAMO'O AINA | KALIUA KONA, HI | $30,000 | 2023 | CULTURE PROGRAM |
| SILVER BULLET PRODUCTIONS | SANTA FE, NM | $30,000 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| TRAVERSE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $25,000 | 2023 | CULTURE PROGRAM |
| TRAVERSE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $25,000 | 2023 | CULTURE PROGRAM |
| TYONEK NATIVE CORPORATION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $13,200 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| TYONEK NATIVE CORPORATION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $13,200 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| CHILCHINBETO CHAPTER OF THE NAVAJO NATION | KAYENTA, AZ | $12,848 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| CHILCHINBETO CHAPTER OF THE NAVAJO NATION | KAYENTA, AZ | $12,848 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | PALA, CA | $11,223 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | PALA, CA | $11,223 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| REDBUD RESOURCE GROUP | FULTON, CA | $9,480 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| REDBUD RESOURCE GROUP | FULTON, CA | $9,480 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| SANTEE SIOUX TRIBE OF NEBRASKA | NIOBRARA, NE | $7,814 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| SANTEE SIOUX TRIBE OF NEBRASKA | NIOBRARA, NE | $7,814 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| FOND DU LAC BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA | CLOQUET, MN | $6,682 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| FOND DU LAC BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA | CLOQUET, MN | $6,682 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| PIMA LEASING & FINANCING CORPORATION | CHANDLER, AZ | $5,924 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| PIMA LEASING & FINANCING CORPORATION | CHANDLER, AZ | $5,924 | 2023 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
SILVER BULLET PRODUCTIONS
$35,000CREATE DOCUMENTARY
CHEROKEE TRIBE OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA
RIVER CANE HABITAT PRESERVATION
CHILCHINBETO CHAPTER OF THE NAVAJO NATION
$15,000TRIBAL LAND OFFICE SUMMER INTERNSHIP
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
$13,139EDUCATION
ROSEBUD SIOUX TRIBE
$11,853EDUCATION
LOWER SIOUX INDIAN COMMUNITY
$10,000TRIBAL LAND OFFICE SUMMER INTERNSHIP
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
$15,000EDUCATION
CHILCHINBETO CHAPTER OF THE NAVAJO NATION
$12,393EDUCATION
PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
$11,855EDUCATION
OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE
$30,440EDUCATION PROGRAM
OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE
$30,440EDUCATION PROGRAM
SILVER BULLET PRODUCTIONS
$30,000EDUCATION PROGRAM
ALOHA KUAMO'O AINA
$30,000CULTURE PROGRAM
ALOHA KUAMO'O AINA
$30,000CULTURE PROGRAM
SILVER BULLET PRODUCTIONS
$30,000EDUCATION PROGRAM
TRAVERSE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$25,000CULTURE PROGRAM
TRAVERSE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$25,000CULTURE PROGRAM
TYONEK NATIVE CORPORATION
$13,200EDUCATION PROGRAM
TYONEK NATIVE CORPORATION
$13,200EDUCATION PROGRAM
CHILCHINBETO CHAPTER OF THE NAVAJO NATION
$12,848EDUCATION PROGRAM
CHILCHINBETO CHAPTER OF THE NAVAJO NATION
$12,848EDUCATION PROGRAM
PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
$11,223EDUCATION PROGRAM
PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
$11,223EDUCATION PROGRAM
SANTEE SIOUX TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
$7,814EDUCATION PROGRAM
SANTEE SIOUX TRIBE OF NEBRASKA
$7,814EDUCATION PROGRAM
FOND DU LAC BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA
$6,682EDUCATION PROGRAM
FOND DU LAC BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA
$6,682EDUCATION PROGRAM
PIMA LEASING & FINANCING CORPORATION
$5,924EDUCATION PROGRAM
PIMA LEASING & FINANCING CORPORATION
$5,924EDUCATION PROGRAM
