Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility Requirements & Questions

Q: Who can apply for a grant?

A: Values and mission alignment: NDN Changemaker Fellowship provides support to Indigenous peoples (individuals) whose work, goals and intentions align with the NDN mission, values, core principles and strategies. NDN grantmaking is intended to honor and advance the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Align with NDN Collective’s mission 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 the planet

         See: Our Mission

2. Be Indigenous to Turtle Island,  what is now known as Canada, Mexico, the United States and related Island Nations: Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Hawai’i, Boriken (Puerto Rico), the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• NDN Collective defines Indigenous peoples as ethnic communities whose ancestry descends from the earliest, original inhabitants of a given region, in contrast to groups that have settled, occupied, and/or colonized the region more recently. The land on which we live and the natural resources on which we depend are inextricably linked to our identities, cultures, livelihoods, as well as our physical and spiritual well-being. The total estimated population of Indigenous peoples is approximately 370 million people worldwide (5% of the global population). We use Indigenous peoples with an “s” to recognize the diversity of individuals and groups that identify with the term, which has been distilled to a singular noun throughout history in an attempt to group our people together rather than recognize our differences and diversity. This is consistent with the UN Declaration on The Rights of Indigenous peoples. 

3. Be at least 18 years of age by the time the Fellowship begins

Q: What if I’m an Indigenous person from another country but live in the US, Mexico or Canada?

Although it may change at some point in the future, NDN Collective currently only provides grants to people who are Indigenous TO the US, Canada, Mexico and US Territories. 

Q: What is the age limit to participate in the fellowship? 

A: Applicants must be  at least 18 years of age by the time the Fellowship begins. The NDN Changemaker Fellowship encourages and considers applications from Indigenous peoples of all adult ages and backgrounds.

Q: Can I apply to the fellowship if I or my organization is a current grantee of another NDN grant or program? 

A: Yes. If you or your organization is a current grant recipient for another NDN grant or program of the NDN Foundation, NDN Fund, etc. you can still apply to the NDN Changemaker Fellowship. 

Q: Is the fellowship for organizations or individuals? 

The NDN Changemaker Fellowship is for individuals. It is a 12 month fellowship designed to strengthen the resources, stability and dreaming power of individuals in service of the future of their communities and Nations. 

Q: Do I have to have a particular background to be eligible? What do you mean by changemaker?

You do not have a particular background to be eligible. Applicants are Indigenous Changemakers over the age of 18 who come from all life experiences and backgrounds who are working or aspiring to work towards social change: Defending their homelands and rights, developing regenerative Nations, revitalizing their ceremonies, cultures, languages, ways of life, actively decolonizing and healing their communities and families. 

Tax Questions

Q: Is this fellowship taxable income?  

A: Fellowship funding is taxable income in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. There are also tax implications for residents in U.S. territories. All NDN fellows, upon notification of acceptance, should consult a qualified tax advisor on the implications of receiving the Fellowship, in order to properly plan and manage their finances. We do not control, evaluate, endorse or guarantee any of the advice provided by an independent tax advisor. Further, we do not assume any responsibility or liability for the actions, products, services, and content provided by an independent tax advisor.

Q: Can I redirect NDN Changemaker Fellowship funds to my organization or business to avoid tax liability? Can NDN Changemaker Fellowship funds be sent directly to my organization or business to avoid tax liability?

A: No. NDN Collective’s Changemaker Fellowship is meant to support individuals, who in turn accept responsibility for any tax liability when signing the grant agreement. Grant funds can be used to offset any tax liability, however, and can also be used to secure tax advice as referenced above. 

Budget Questions

Q: Do I need to submit a budget with my Application?

A: You do not need to submit a budget with your application. Selected recipients of the Changemaker Fellowship will submit their budget in March 2023 with their NDN Changemaker Plan.

Application Questions

Q: Is there a character limit for answering the application questions?

A: Yes. Each question has a 5000 character limit.

Q: Do spaces count in the character limit? 

A: Yes, each space and letter count as a character and towards the 5000 limit. 

Q: What region of the Changemaker Fellowship should I apply under?  

A: We encourage Changemakers to apply in the region of their Nation. An exception is if they have lived for a significant time in other territories, and their community commitment is to the people of their area of residence.   

Q: What is a Theory of Change?

A: A theory of change is a statement that describes WHAT change you envision, HOW you believe change happens, and WHAT your role is within the process of change. For more information about Theory of Change please see the guidance within our Full Application on our Fluxx system and our Changemaker Fellowship Application Webinar. 

Q: Is this an academic fellowship? 

A: This is not an academic fellowship.  You do not have to ever have been enrolled in any educational institution to be a great candidate for the Changemaker Fellowship.

Q: Is this a project based fellowship?

A: The Changemaker Fellowship is not project based.  You do not need to have a project that you complete during your Fellowship year.  This fellowship is to support your dreaming, creativity, healing, networking, and skill building efforts, to apply to projects in the future.  You can, however, choose to complete a project within your fellowship year if it makes sense to your growth as a person.

Q: Do I have to give up my job if I get the fellowship? 

A: No. It is up to recipients of the NDN Changemaker Fellowship to decide if they continue or take time from their current employment. Fellows are encouraged to keep in mind the time and capacity to fulfill their Changemaker Plans and fellowship experience over the course of the year including self-care, education and skill building, mentoring and coaching, network and alliance building.