COLLECTIVE ABUNDANCE FUND
An opportunity for building Indigenous wealth to support a future in which Indigenous people flourish.
The Collective Abundance Fund supports Indigenous wealth for individuals and families who live in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The Collective Abundance Fund fosters efforts to build generational Indigenous wealth while creating an abundance of social and cultural sharing.
The Collective Abundance Fund will have a deeper focus on Power Building in 2025
The Collective Abundance Fund will place a deeper focus on Power Building in 2025, with the next launch in the fourth quarter of 2025 and awards in the first quarter of 2026. Since 2023, $15.9M has been awarded to 396 individuals and families. The Collective Abundance Fund is dedicated to continuing to provide resources and power-building to awardees to achieve their dreams and aspirations rooted in the definition of Indigenous wealth.
We are going deeper. As we see a rise in authoritarianism and threats to democracy, it requires us to prioritize efforts that sharpen our spear, invest in and strengthen our movement. We will strengthen our movement and community organizing by honing in on unified efforts among our partners.
Award Amount
$25,000 or $50,000
Award Term
12-18 Months
Award Timeline
Launch Quarter 4 2025
COLLECTIVE ABUNDANCE FUND INTENT
The NDN Collective Abundance Fund provides wealth-building gifts to Indigenous Peoples living in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The Collective Abundance Fund supports the rebuilding of generational wealth while addressing the wealth gap among Indigenous individuals and families. By focusing on redefining a life of abundance on our own terms, emphasizing quality of life, community well-being, relationships, and a spirit of generosity, the gift offers an opportunity to challenge colonial thinking that created exploitative economic systems impacting our people and communities.
The NDN Collective Abundance Fund embraces the following definition of wealth:
Indigenous wealth is a quality of life and mindset that encircles family and community well-being and the care of relationships (self, family, extended family, community, land, environment), and a spirit of generosity. Money is a tool to support basic needs and bring financial security and self-determination so that one can live a “good life,” abundant in social and cultural sharing.
Collective Abundance Grant supports efforts to:
DEFEND
Dismantle the Indigenous wealth gap created by resource extraction and federal policy.
DEVELOP
Rebuild generational wealth through social and cultural sharing.
DECOLONIZE
Reclaim Indigenous concepts of wealth.
Lessons learned to help future Collective Abundance Fund Applicants and Awardees
MN – $25,000 Wealth building goal of Education/Skill Building and Reliable Livelihood
“Stay focused on the current goal and plan, write everything down with dates, contact info, and every little detail. Stay persistent, confident, and talk with mentors when in doubt, they are very helpful” – Yr 1 Awardee AH
SD – $50,000 Wealth Building goal of Homeownership/Household Stability
“Research your ideas and plans and make sure you find the total cost surrounding each goal. There may be more involved than you first thought. Be ready for unseen events or circumstances. But don’t be afraid to stick to the wealth-building goals and don’t wait too long to get started.” – Yr 1 Awardee AM
ND – $25,000 Wealth Building goal of Business
“My advice would be to stick to your spending plan and try not to spend your money right away. Think hard about the decisions you make, as this truly is a life-changing opportunity. Whatever you are applying for, give it 100 percent and always bet on yourself. Have faith in yourself.” – Yr 1 Awardee KB
REBUILDING INDIGENOUS WEALTH
Changing the Narrative
The Collective Abundance Fund is designed by and for the people, including the very definition of Indigenous wealth. To learn more about this unprecedented approach to Indigenous wealth building, including the community engagement and subsequent planning and design of the Collective Abundance Fund, read the Community Voices on the Collective Abundance Fund report here.