NDN Foundation provides grants to Indigenous-led organizations, Tribes, groups, projects and individuals whose work, goals and intentions align with the NDN mission, values, core principles and strategies.  Indigenous-led is defined as 100% board of directors/decision makers, and 70% staff.  While national or International organizations may be supported, NDN prioritizes community-based solutions and community-based organizations, for it is community-based solutions and organizations that are most often under-funded, under-resourced, underinvested and underestimated.  NDN grantmaking is intended to honor and advance the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples.  This includes flexible, unrestricted and meaningful grant support.

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. 

NDN’s geographic grantmaking focus is Turtle Island (also known as North America), which includes the post-colonial regions of the  United States and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Canada and Mexico.  We honor the self-determination of Indigenous people of Turtle Island through all of our grantmaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility Questions

Q: Who can apply for a grant?

A: Values and mission alignment: NDN Foundation provides grants to Indigenous-led organizations, Tribes, groups, projects and 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. 

         Our Mission

Geographic focus: North America:  the United States and the  U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Canada and Mexico.  

Organizations/Individuals: 

         Grantmaking may be provided to the following recipients:

• Indigenous-led non-profit organizations within the U.S. Indigenous-led is defined as 100% board of directors/decision-makers, and 70% staff. 
• U.S.-based tribal non-profit entities or tribal programs, Alaska Native Villages, or their non-profit entities.
• First Nations or Aboriginal communities, groups, and organizations based in Canada.

• Indigenous communities, groups, and organizations based in Mexico.
• Indigenous owned businesses in the US, US Territories, Canada or Mexico
• Individual Indigenous people as part of a fellowship or similar programming
• 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. 

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

A: 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 if my organization or business does not meet the eligibility requirements for “Indigenous-led”- can we still apply?

A: Organizations that do not currently meet the criteria for “Indigenous-led” can apply as long as they also submit a plan outlining how they intend to become “Indigenous-led” (100% Leadership/70% staff) in the future.

Tax Questions

Verifiable Tax Status: In order to receive an NDN Foundation grant, you or your organization must have a Tax Identification Number. You can apply as a non-profit organization, as an individual, a Tribe, as a First Nations, or as a Business.  The Tax Identification of the entity or individual used is then responsible for the taxable income and/or accountability of the grant.

Q: Do I need a Tax Identification Number if I or my organization is located outside the U.S?

A: Yes. All NDN grantmaking opportunities require a verifiable tax status, whether you are an individual or organization (Tribal nation, business or nonprofit).

Q: What if I/we do not have a verifiable tax status, such as a nonprofit recognized by the federal government?

A: Organizations and Groups can establish a fiscal sponsorship with a nonprofit organization.  This may be a local non-profit organization with which you have an established relationship or with a regional/national organization that is willing to serve as your fiscal sponsor.  Your organization/group can then apply for an NDN grant utilizing the tax status of the fiscal sponsor.  A memorandum of understanding, letter of agreement, or some form of documentation must also be submitted verifying the fiscal sponsorship (signed by both parties).

Budget Questions

Q: What kinds of expenses are allowed?

A: NDN grantmaking is intended to honor and advance the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples.  This may include flexible, unrestricted, and meaningful grant support such as:

• Program/project support
• General operating support
• Organizational or Individual Capacity Building, including leadership development.

Movement Building, including Indigenous narrative change.

• Capital support, including but not limited to purchasing land, new construction, modification of existing structures and equipment. 
• Overhead or indirect costs up to 15% – Indirect costs are typically ongoing operational costs associated with the organization’s activities and projects which may not be easily identified with any specific project; administrative or other expenses, including oversight, facilities costs, accounting, grants management, legal expense or technology.  

Q: On the project budget template, what sources of income should we include?

A: In addition to the NDN-specific project income, you may present all other sources of financial support for your project /effort, including other grant sources (tribal/government/private foundation) and individual donations.

1. In-kind contributions, such as the use of facilities, equipment, volunteer hours (any non-cash donation to support the organization or project). 
2. Earned income, such as booth fees, merchandise, or ticket sales, etc.

Note: The project budget template focuses on the proposed project/effort and use of the NDN grant and income related to the proposed project/effort, not the entire organizational budget.  The amount of your overall organizational budget is presented in the Organizational Information section. 

Q: Are there any match requirements for this grant?

A: Although we value our grantee partners’ ability to leverage our resources with others, we do not require a match.