Inside Philanthropy Sites Six Funders (including 2 Minnesota Funders) As Stand Outs in Native American Funding
Inside Philanthropy reports Native Americans represent 2.9% of the U.S. population and receive just 0.4% of philanthropic support. But, according to the Funding Map at Investing in Native Communities, that’s improving.
The map is a data visualization application developed by Candid in partnership with Native Americans in Philanthropy. It launched three years ago and averages 5K visits per week.
According to the Funding Map, six foundations stand out:
- Ford Foundation provides funding for a wide range of organizations that support Native Americans, including specific support to Indigenous land protection
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation has made grants to several Native-focused orgs, including Native Women Lead, which works to improve pay equity for Native women
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds a range of Native American causes that tackle issues like food and housing insecurity, unemployment, and poor healthcare, and- in one case- to restore Lakota language and traditions
- Northwest Area Foundation directs 40% of its annual grant dollars to supporting Native-led organizations, with funding focused on efforts that produce good jobs, thriving businesses, and restructured systems to strengthen Native communities
- NoVo Foundation has provided $110 million to 362 organizations since 2016 (the most current data is from 2019). The Foundation has been thinking about/planning new funding priorities, though
- Bush Foundation started issuing Native Nations Investment Reports in 2017 that review its investments in the 23 Native nations in MN, ND, and SD. Among its support: improving the juvenile justice system in Ramsey Co.; working to restore the buffalo population on an SD reservation; and addressing the racial wealth gap across the region. Also a funder for the Funding Map.