NDN Collective Re-Opens 2024 Collective Abundance Grant: A Wealth Building Opportunity for Indigenous Individuals and Families

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 1, 2024

Rapid City, SD – NDN Collective, an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power, is now accepting applications for the Collective Abundance Fund, a grant opportunity being offered to Indigenous individuals and families residing within the tri-state region of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. The Collective Abundance Fund is intended to support the rebuilding of Indigenous generational wealth by providing significant resources for wealth building activities. Awarded individuals and families will have the opportunity to put their dreams and aspirations into action through the support of $25,000 and $50,000 grant awards.

“Indigenous people rarely have access to significant amounts of cash or capital – and when we do, it can be transformational and life changing,” said Gaby Strong, Managing Director for NDN Foundation. “The Collective Abundance Fund is an opportunity for families to use money as a tool to establish long term, generational stability, as a healing resource for sustaining lifeways and livelihood – and as a way to build on the abundance of our culture, knowledge and the assets around us. Our knowledge and ability to build and raise flourishing families still lives in the land and in us,”

Eligible activities of the Collective Abundance Fund reflect the dreams and aspirations the community identified and prioritized through a year-long community planning process, which include: Homeownership, Education and Skill Building, Financial Planning, Food Security, and Business Development. Self-determined wealth building activities may include purchasing land, downpayment for a mortgage, home repairs, building business infrastructure, tuition, greenhouses, and more. Those interested in applying are encouraged to view Things To Know on the Collective Abundance webpage.

“This past year, we awarded nearly 8 million in grants to 200 individuals and families from across the tri-state region of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota who are moving their dreams into reality,” said Terri Peterson, Program Manager of the Collective Abundance Fund. “Awarded grantees received $25,000 and $50,000 to support their wealth building goals and activities, with Homeownership and Business Development as some of the top goals of individuals and families. In addition to funding, grantees are provided power building support and resources, including the Trauma of Money training which has been received with tremendous enthusiasm. Trauma of Money addresses how the toxic economic systems in place have maintained the wealth gap, racial disparities, and caused harm to people and Mother Earth. Yet, it also sheds light on how we can reclaim our power and the quality of life that reflects our definition of wealth.”

NDN Collective is reopening the Collective Abundance Fund opportunity earlier this year to better align with applicants who may be pursuing educational goals. Interested applicants can attend training and technical assistance sessions with community partners held across the tri-state region – called Navigator Hubs – to gain support with the application process. These Navigator Hubs are an added tool to increase accessibility and support in preparing applications with greater intention.

This is a two-step process. Registration must be completed prior to the Initial application. Registration ends at 3 p.m. US Central Standard Time on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Be sure to complete registration well in advance of the registration deadline to ensure a timely submission. Applications are due by 5 p.m. US Central Time on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

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NDN Collective is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. Through organizing, activism, philanthropy, grantmaking, capacity-building, and narrative change, we are creating sustainable solutions on Indigenous terms.