Community Self Determination Grant

Grants of $100,000 per year, with commitments up to two years, are available to Indigenous-led organizations working in the defense, development, and/or decolonization of Indigenous Peoples and Mother Earth.

NDN Collective Community Self Determination Grant

The Community Self-Determination Funding Stream is now closed for 2023.

Please check back in early 2024 for next year’s announcement.

Community Self-Determination Grant

This grant opportunity will provide Tribal Nations, communities and organizations as an investment in Indigenous power and a means to foster equity and inclusion, and to reframe decision-making with those most impacted.

NDN Collective’s mission is to build the collective power of Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations to exercise our inherent right to self-determination while fostering a world that is built on a foundation of justice and equity for all people and Mother Earth.

NDN works to transform systems, shift power and generate sustainable solutions through the following three core strategies:

Defend

Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations defend and protect our land, air, water and natural resources.

Develop

Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations are developed in a regenerative and sustainable manner based on our values and connection to land, culture and identity.

Decolonize

Indigenous ceremonies, cultures, languages and ways of life are revitalized, recognized and celebrated.

GRANT CYCLE

Initial applications are due by 5pm CST on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.  

Invitations for full applications, if selected, are expected to be released by the end of May, early June 2023.   Applicants will be notified of either an invitation or declination at that time.

Final applications are due by 5pm CST on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023. 

Final Selections are expected by late August, 2023. Community Self-Determination Project start dates will begin on September 1, 2023.

GRANT PURPOSE AND APPROACH

Community Self-Determination Grants are intended to support community-based and community- driven sustainable solutions in all three of NDN Collective’s core strategies to Defend, Develop and Decolonize. Grants are intended to  support and invest in the long-term visions, sustainability, and power building of Indigenous Nations, communities and Indigenous-led organizations, fortifying the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples to create a just, equitable, and sustainable world for all people and the planet. Significant, flexible, multi-year funding will include the infusion of general operating support, power building, capital and holistic support for comprehensive initiatives and specific programs.  

Community Self-Determination Grants are intended to strengthen and leverage long-term financial sustainability of Indigenous-led organizations, including capital support and investments. This type of funding will not only give Indigenous organizations the kind of runway that has been long understood as healthy for startups and private-sector companies, but transformative for community-based and grass-roots organizations, including those who are closest to the issues and the impact. While we fund national efforts, we intentionally prioritize grassroots, community-based efforts.  Climate justice and Indigenous justice are at the heart of the intent behind the Community Self-Determination Grant.

NDN’s grantmaking approach is based on reciprocity and mutual aid, which may include thought partnership and power building resources. Relationship is at the core of this approach, encouraging systemic change and participation in which the people most affected take responsibility for one another and for changing systemic conditions. It is up to the community to determine the steps for true self-determination. NDN funds can support the material needs of communities while also addressing root causes and solution building that is shaped by the community. This approach encourages innovative, creative and free thinking for long-term change. 

NDN will remain steadfast in its commitment to uphold and advance regenerative, Earth-centered  principles of community and economic development. ‘Regenerative’ is the ability to regrow, renew or restore, particularly after loss or damage. NDN’s commitment to a new and better normal  is also  part of community self-determination, resilience and sustainability, therefore NDN seeks to support Tribes, Indigenous nations, communities and organizations who are also committed to more innovative, sustainable solutions. NDN is deeply committed to supporting Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination that supports justice and equity for people and Mother Earth. 

These principles and the NDN Collective’s framework of Defend, Develop, Decolonize will be utilized as a lens in which to review and select grantee-partners.  

GRANT TYPE

Grants of $100,000 per year, with commitments of two years, are available to Indigenous-led organizations working in the defense, development, and/or decolonization of Indigenous Peoples and Mother Earth, with a maximum grant award of $200,000 for commitments over two years.  

COMMUNITY DRIVEN SOLUTIONS

Because this program focuses on community-driven solutions, we encourage larger nations and organizations to coordinate among your various departments to submit an application reflecting your community’s efforts to Defend, Develop and Decolonize.

It is the intent of NDN Collective to provide meaningful support across multiple regions, therefore, applicants are encouraged to describe their community self-determination efforts within one of the following strategic focus areas that is best suited for their community’s  intentions and goals.  New or expanded initiatives, or power building of existing efforts and entities may also be supported.

FOCUS AREAS

  1. DEFEND – Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations defend and protect our land, air, water and natural resources.  

Efforts may include but are not limited to:

 Protecting and reclaiming lands, water, and natural resources, such as;  

  1. DEVELOP – Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations are developed in a resilient, regenerative and sustainable manner based on our values and connection to land, culture and identity.

Efforts may include but are not limited to:

Community and economic development/resilience based on sustainable, regenerative principles,  climate change solutions and mitigation; such as;

  1. DECOLONIZE- Indigenous ceremonies, cultures, languages and ways of life are revitalized, recognized and celebrated.

Efforts  may include, but are not limited to:

Intergenerational transmission and continuity of language, culture, ceremonial practices, traditional governance and decision-making structures, and lifeways, such as: 

GRANT APPLICATION LINK INSTRUCTIONS

The link below will bring you to the grant application portal. Please note that the Fluxx Grants Application portal will show two options:

  1. New to the Grants Portal- If you are a first time user, you must register in order to receive log-in credentials to complete the initial application and potentially a grant application.  Please allow for up to 2 business days to receive login credentials.  Please check your email and spam or junk folders for your login credentials before inquiring further. 
  2. Log-in Now –  If you’ve  registered in the past for any NDN grant opportunity, please click Log-in Now. You do not need to register again.

Helpful hints

For More Information:  

Grant purpose & content

[email protected] (U.S.Based Applicants )

[email protected] (U.S. and Canada)

[email protected] (For residents of Mexico and Spanish-speaking Applicants)

[email protected] (For residents of Mexico and Spanish-speaking Applicants)

Technical support

[email protected] 

General grant information

[email protected]

NDN Office: (605) 791-3999

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