Native Philanthropic Professionals Working Group

The cornerstone of our work is our relatives and relations. 

Equity cannot be achieved without Indigenous leadership, knowledge, wisdom, and relationships. 

The Native Philanthropic Professionals Working Group connects Native people working in philanthropy, provides targeted resources, and supports your growth as an individual and community member. 

Native Philanthropic Professionals working group History 

This group was founded as the Native Program Officer Working Group and began during a philanthropic convention when four Native program officers were seated together. They began to discuss the challenges that they had in common and the ways in which they could support one another. 

In 2014, the small group agreed to gather on an annual basis. Over the next several years, the group grew to 40+ members. In 2018, Michael E. Roberts, President of First Nations Development Institute, hosted a visioning session to expand the groups work for the next five years. 

In 2019, it was agreed by the group members that Native Americans in Philanthropy should begin to host the Program Officer Working Group meetings beginning in 2020.  

The group was rebranded as the Native Philanthropic Professionals Working Group in 2022 to reflect a more inclusive membership.

native american man walking down outside stairs
Handshake-2@2x

Working Group Goals

  • Strengthen our community of Native Program Officers 
  • Learn about how we’re meeting this deeply challenging moment in our lives and communities 
  • Identify opportunities for philanthropy to deepen its impact for a better future for our communities 
  • Identify strategies to strengthen leadership pathways and professional support for Native people in our sector 

Criteria to Join 

  1. Must Work in Philanthropy - This includes roles in:  
    1. Community foundations 
    2. Corporate philanthropy 
    3. Family foundations 
    4. Tribal foundations 
    5. Private or independent foundations 
    6. International foundations 
    7. Philanthropy-serving organizations 
    8. Philanthropic Advising 
    9. Impact investors 
    10. Intermediary

  2. Self-Identify as Native American, Indigenous, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander
  3. Must be a member of NAP - Preferably through organizational membership, otherwise individual membership. NAP can offer support on a case-by-case basis.  

Note: While we value the important work of development staff at traditional non-profits (non-intermediaries), this particular working group is specifically focused on professionals working within philanthropic institutions. 

Interested in joining this network and becoming a member, reach out to membership@nativephilanthropy.org