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As we barrel toward another potential government shut down, communities across the country are trying to assess its potential impact. For Tribal governments, it impacts just about every facet of life due to their nation-to-nation relationship with the federal government and the wide range of federal funding that supports everything from healthcare to education, and other basic needs. While some Americans only worry about getting into a national park, Tribal communities worry about everything from individual family income to vital services in their communities.  

Here are 5 things philanthropy needs to know about how government shutdowns affect Tribal communities: 
Shutdowns violate …

We are at an inflection point in state and Tribal relations.  While Tribal communities have long understood that their conservation efforts are affected by state policy decisions, in recent years many state legislators have begun to realize that they will not be able to achieve their environmental goals without the support and knowledge of Indigenous and Tribal communities.  In the struggle for clean air and water, Tribal Nations are both sovereign entities and symbiotic partners.

Despite this recognition, until recently there was scant support for including Indigenous voices in discussions shaping our shared future, and scarce resources for meaningful co-management …

The 2023 Native Youth Grantmakers’ first gathering was a celebration of unity, resilience, and the power of youth leadership. Our newest participants of the Native Youth Grantmakers program gathered this past July in Los Angeles for a week that was designed to become a memorable chapter in their personal and professional lives. However, the gathering wasn’t just about personal growth and professional development; it revealed the ambitions and futures that these dynamic youth leaders envision for their communities. 

Investing In Youth Leadership

At Native Americans in Philanthropy, we strongly believe that Native youth bring a critical perspective to the world of …

Special thanks to our friends at Center for Disaster Philanthropy for helping us compile this list of organizations and relief funds.

Photo: Hawai’i State Senate/Flickr via Hawai’i Public Radio

In the wake of the devastating Maui wildfires, it’s time for us all to rally together to support those whose lives have been upended by this tragic event.

As mainstream media focuses on Maui as a tourist destination, it is crucial to remember that the impacted communities include Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) peoples, who stand as integral members of the broader Indigenous tapestry. Hawai’i is not a destination, it the home of our …

This June marks the one-year anniversary of the passage of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invested substantial federal dollars in Tribal Nations, and it was followed by the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed a couple months later. Through these two laws, the federal government has dedicated funding directly to Tribes, providing nearly $14 billion for various projects, including critical infrastructure like roads and bridges, access to clean drinking water, and action on climate change and environmental justice; prioritizing Tribal communities who have often been left behind. 

This is a good start, but philanthropy can help catalyze so much more …

Today, Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) and the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) have joined forces in an effort to enhance collaboration between philanthropic funders, Tribal leaders, and state officials.

One of the biggest barriers to stronger partnerships is a lack of knowledge and understanding by state elected officials about Tribes. Tribes hold and maintain vast natural resources and environmental cultural knowledge and they have distinctive political and legal power through their nation-to-nation relationship with the federal government. To overcome these hurdles and increase financial support for these communities, it is crucial to ensure that the philanthropic sector and …

Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) is thrilled to announce the 2023 Native Youth Grantmakers. These extraordinary and highly accomplished young individuals are the embodiment of passion, excellence, and a deep commitment to making a positive difference in their communities. As we welcome this new cohort, we celebrate their achievements, their futures, and their dedication to advancing Native-led philanthropy.  
What is the Native Youth Grantmakers program? 
At NAP, we strongly believe that Native youth bring a critical perspective to the world of philanthropy and deserve decision-making power when it comes to the issues that impact us all. 

The Native Youth Grantmakers (NYG) program …