Position Announcement 

Tribal Nations Initiative Fellow 

Reports to: Director of Tribal Nations Initiatives 

Supervisory Role: No 

Status: Full-time; Non-exempt 

Term: 12 Months (May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026)  

Travel: Yes; Up to 40%  

Location: Remote (based in Northern Great Plains preferred)  

Application Deadline: Ongoing 

Hourly Rate: $21.63/hour to $26.44/hour 

Application Link (Please include a resume and cover letter): https://screening.insperity.com/application/application.asp?client=5129501a&job_req=0525%2DTNEFellow&hiring_manager_email=alopez%40nativephilanthropy%2Eorg 

About Native Americans in Philanthropy  

Native Americans in Philanthropy’s (NAP) mission is to promote equitable and effective philanthropy in Native communities. We do this by increasing engagement and funding to Native-led organizations; increasing and supporting Native professionals in philanthropy; and transforming and influencing the philanthropic sector to be in alignment with an Indigenous worldview. We also aim to improve the availability of regular, reliable data and Indigenous-led research on Native communities and their relation to philanthropy. NAP’s new strategic plan seeks to increase awareness among key constituents and engage Native and non-Native philanthropic professionals, Tribal Nations, and Native-led nonprofits with NAP’s resources, activities, and programs. 

About the Position  

Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) is seeking a Tribal Nations Initiative (TNI) Fellow to assess investment opportunities by philanthropy in Native communities. This initiative seeks to significantly increase regionally based strategic philanthropic investments by conducting a comprehensive landscape analysis, understanding Tribal priorities, and developing a framework for philanthropic investment. 

The TNI Fellow will support work across several Tribal communities to understand funding needs and the ability to create long-term impact through programmatic funding.   

This position is designed for someone who is deeply committed to advancing equity for Tribal communities, respecting Tribal sovereignty, and building meaningful relationships between Tribal communities and the philanthropic sector. 

Primary Responsibilities 

Landscape Analysis & Research 

1. Support the development and implementation of a landscape assessment tool, including survey documents and guiding policies on gathering data  
2. Assist with desktop review, including literature and articles on an assigned region  
3. Help organize and coordinate listening sessions with Tribal leaders, projects, and reservation-based organizations  
4. Compile and analyze data from listening sessions while ensuring Tribal data sovereignty  
5. Support the documentation of activities, lessons learned, best practices, and successes in Tribal communities 

Relationship Building & Community Engagement 

1. Help establish and maintain relationships with Tribal leaders and communities in an assigned region 
2. Support outreach efforts to Native-led non-profits engaged in a particular region 
3. Assist with coordinating and facilitating in-person and virtual listening sessions 
4. Support the planning and execution of various gatherings to connect Tribal leaders with philanthropy  
5. Act as a liaison between the NAP, Tribal communities, and philanthropic partners 

Report Development & Strategy 

1. Contribute to the development of a preliminary and final report based on findings from listening sessions and research 
2. Help identify key areas of potential opportunity for philanthropic investment 
3. Assist with organizing materials for regular check-ins  

Non-Essential Job Duties 

1. Other related duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability 

1. Strong understanding of Tribal communities, histories, and current landscapes 
2. Knowledge of issues impacting Tribal Nations, including conservation, education, language and culture, health and wellbeing, and Indigenous youth initiatives 
3. Experience with community-based research methodologies that center Tribal knowledge and sovereignty 
4. Strong verbal and written communication skills 
5. Ability to build trust and relationships with Tribal communities 
6. Understanding of data sovereignty principles and practices 
7. Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and effectively communicate across diverse cultural settings 
8. Ability to travel in broad geographic regions to conduct in-person meetings with Tribal communities 

Education and Experience 

1. Bachelor's degree preferred with experience in community engagement, research, or project coordination 
2. Experience working with Tribal communities 
3. Demonstrated commitment to Indigenous community development and self-determination 
4. Familiarity with the philanthropic sector and its relationship to Tribal communities is preferred 
5. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management software (e.g., Asana).  

To Apply:

Application Link (Please include a resume and cover letter in one single PDF).

Commitment to Equity   

Native Americans in Philanthropy is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications and ability to perform a job, without regard to age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, citizenship, or marital status, and to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds.   

Americans with Disability Act   

Native Americans in Philanthropy complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact jziegler@nativephilanthropy.org.