GRANTS
NDN FOUNDATION
NDN Foundation’s grantmaking upholds our mission to build the collective power of Indigenous Peoples, communities and Nations to exercise our inherent right to self-determination while fostering a world built on a foundation of justice and equity for all people and Mother Earth.
As changemakers, we are committed to dramatically increasing philanthropic investment into Indigenous-led organizations and modeling a mindset of abundance. We integrate culture and ceremony into our work by acknowledging and paying respects to our elders and past while taking control of our future. We believe in, invest in and support: Indigenous self-determination, free and liberated thought and expression, Indigenous genius and ingenuity, and sustainable community-based solutions.
We remain committed to the three key strategies of:
defend
Indigenous Peoples, communities, and Nations are developed in a regenerative and sustainable manner based on our values and connection to land, culture and identity.
Develop
Indigenous Peoples, communities and Nations defend and protect our land, air, water, and natural resources.
DECOLONIZE
Indigenous ceremonies, cultures, languages, and ways of life are revitalized, recognized and celebrated.Â
In 2025, our approach will shift in two key grantmaking focus areas:
Community Self-determination
We will now focus on the work, progress and momentum of the grantee-partners that we have had the honor of resourcing since 2019. In addition to offering intentional power-building resources among these key partners, the 2025 grant application process will be available to current or previous grantee-partners, rather than open calls for new efforts and new groups.
Collective Abundance Fund
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. Â
Since 2018 NDN Collective has resourced 1,455 Indigenous Changemakers, Artists, Tribal Nations, First Nations, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander and Indigenous-led groups and organizations, working within and beyond the post-colonial borders of the United States, Canada and Mexico, rematriating over $109 million back into Indigenous hands under Indigenous stewardship.Â
We will continue to focus on resourcing these grassroots efforts and community-based initiatives while fortifying the necessary unity and solidarity necessary for these times. Please refer to our website for upcoming Grant Opportunities in 2025.
