Although it may change at some point in the future, NDN Collective currently only provides grants to support communities who are Indigenous TO Turtle Island, including the U.S. and related Island Nations, Canada, and Mexico.

Organizations that do not currently meet the criteria for “Indigenous-led” can apply as long as they also submit a plan outlining how they intend to become “Indigenous-led” (100% Indigenous Leadership/Decision Makers and 70% Indigenous staff) in the future.

Yes. In order to receive an NDN Foundation grant, you or your organization must have a Tax Identification Number. You can apply as a non-profit organization, a Tribe, as a First Nations, or as a Business. The Tax Identification of the entity or individual used is then responsible for the taxable income and/or accountability of the grant.

Organizations and Groups can establish a fiscal sponsorship with a nonprofit organization.  This may be a local non-profit organization with which you have an established relationship or with a regional/national organization that is willing to serve as your fiscal sponsor.  Your organization/group can then apply for an NDN grant utilizing the tax status of the fiscal sponsor.  A memorandum of understanding signed by both parties and the tax verification documentation of the fiscal sponsor must be submitted.

Yes, you will need to have the fiscal sponsor and required documentation at the time that your application is submitted. A memorandum of understanding signed by both parties and the tax verification documentation of the fiscal sponsor must be submitted as an attachment with your application.

NDN grantmaking is intended to honor and advance the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples.  This may include flexible, unrestricted, and meaningful grant support such as:

• General operating support

• Organizational or Individual Capacity Building, including leadership development.
• Movement Building, including Indigenous narrative change.

• Capital support, including but not limited to purchasing land, new construction, modification of existing structures and equipment. However a planning project application must include a comprehensive business plan, land use plan, feasibility study,or similar. 
• Contractual and consulting fees

• Overhead or indirect costs up to 15% - Indirect costs are typically ongoing operational costs associated with the organization’s activities and projects which may not be easily identified with any specific project; administrative or other expenses, including oversight, facilities costs, accounting, grants management, legal expense or technology.

 In addition to the NDN-specific income, you may present all other sources of financial support for your efforts, including other grant sources (tribal/government/private foundation) and individual donations.

1. In-kind contributions, such as the use of facilities, equipment, volunteer hours (any non-cash donation to support the organization or project). 
2. Earned income, such as booth fees, merchandise, or ticket sales, etc.

Note: The budget template focuses on the proposed effort and use of the NDN grant and income related to the proposed effort, not the entire organizational budget.  The amount of your overall organizational budget is presented in the Organizational Information section.

Although we value our grantee partners’ ability to leverage our resources with others, we do not require a match.

 For Technical Support and Fluxx Support please contact: grantsinfo@ndncollective.org 

For program and application related questions -

English and French speaking applicants please reach out to:

Janet Maylen, Director of Grantmaking, janet@ndncollective.org

Thomas Kenote, Program Officer, at thomas@ndncollective.org

Serene Lawrence, Program Officer, at Serene@ndncollective.org. 

For Spanish speaking applicants please reach out to:

Helen Aldana, Program Officer, at helen@ndncollective.org