COMMUNITY ACTION FUND

A grant for Indigenous frontline organizations, groups, and individuals for direct action initiatives.

The Community Action Fund (CAF) grants support direct actions and organizing efforts that are often urgent and time sensitive. CAF prioritizes frontline, grassroots and community-based efforts that defend Indigenous peoples rights, communities and nations, including responses to climate disasters.

ANNUAL AWARD

Up to $20,000

GRANT TERM

Maximum of six months

GRANT CYCLE

Opens:Ā January 29, 2025
Registration Closes: October 17, 2025 5pm Central Time US
Application: Accepted on a rolling basis until October 31, 2025 5pm Central Time US (or until funds are expended)

Community Action FUND INTENT

This grant supports Indigenous frontline, grassroots, community-based groups and organizations, Tribes, communities and villages, and individuals leading direct action or movement-building work in their effort to DEFEND Indigenous People’s rights, and protect their land, air, water, and natural resources.

Who is Eligible?

Indigenous-led frontline, grassroots, and community-based groups and organizations, including non-profit organizations, U.S. based Tribes, tribal non-profit entities or tribal programs, Alaska Native Villages or their non-profit entities, First Nations or Inuit and Metis communities, groups and organizations based in Canada, Indigenous communities, groups and organizations based in Mexico, and Individual Indigenous people leading direct action or movement building work.Ā 

Applicants must be based in the post-colonial borders of the US, Canada, Mexico, and the related Island Nations of Hawaiā€™i, BorikĆ©n/Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Building a world that allows Indigenous people to thrive requires a massive redistribution of wealth to people on the frontlines of the fight for justice and freedom.

Thomas Kenote, NDN Collective Program Officer

The Community Action Fund Supports:

  • Non-Violent Direct Action
  • Climate Disaster Prevention
  • Climate Disaster Response

Funds are available specifically for:

  • Supplies and Equipment
  • Contractual Services
  • Travel

CAF DOES NOT SUPPORT:

  • Ongoing planned projects/activities/service delivery programs
  • Annual operating costs
  • Bridge/gap funding
  • Scholarships
  • Capital projects or land purchase
  • Events
  • Sponsorships
GRANT REQUIREMENTS

Budget: Applicants will be required to submit a budget for the funds relating to the direct action such as funding for travel, climate response items, supplies, equipment, consultants, contractual services and staff that support various forms of NVDA (non-violent direct action), i.e., marches, camps, boycotts, prayer vigils as a form of resistance, organizing or protest to affect change.

Reporting: Awardees will be required to submit a grant report at the end of their grant term within 30 days of their grant closing.

The application is a two-step process. You must register before submitting your application. NDN cannot make any exceptions to the registration or grant application due dates. This includes incomplete applications or application mistakes due to user error. Be sure to complete the registration well in advance of the due dates to ensure a timely submission.

You will be able to select from the following languages if needed: English, French, and Spanish.

1. Fluxx Portal Registration

  • REGISTER FOR FLUXX: Register to receive login credentials needed to access the Fluxx portal and complete your grant application. Both new and existing users must register for this grant opportunity.
  • CHECK YOUR EMAIL: After registering, you will receive an email with your username, password, and login instructions. Please allow up to two business days for this email to arrive.
  • CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER: If you donā€™t see the emails in your inbox, be sure to check your spam or junk folder.

2. Complete your Application in Fluxx

  • LOGIN AND APPLY: Once you have your login credentials, follow the instructions in the email to access the Fluxx portal and complete your application.
  • GRANT APPLICATION REQUIRE COMPONENTS:
  • Organizational Information
  • Grant Request
  • Budget and Additional Funding Sources
  • Required Documents.
  • Proof of Tax Status
  • Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement/Tax Status (if applicable)
  • Optional Attachments

Need help with your application? [email protected]

Want to learn more about the grant program? [email protected]Ā 

Helpful Hints for Applying

  • NDN does not accept applications via email, fax, or postal service. All applications must be submitted using Fluxx.
  • Register early to avoid delays.
  • For the best Fluxx experience, use the Chrome browser.
  • Use a desktop or laptop, not a mobile device.
  • Make sure your information is correct:
  • contact information
  • email address
  • telephone number
  • Fluxx does not autosave. Press the "Save" button as you work to complete your application.
  • You cannot change or edit your application once it is submitted.
  • Aim to submit your application well in advance of the due date to avoid any unforeseen delays.
  • NDN cannot make any exceptions to the registration deadline or the application due date.