Native Nonprofit Day supports informed Indigenous philanthropy
Friday, May 17, 2024, is the third annual Native Nonprofit Day (NND), according to the Native Ways Foundation (NWF), founded in 2008 by a group of national Native-led nonprofits to activate and expand informed giving in Indian Country. The founding organizations include the American Indian College Fund, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, the Association on American Indian Affairs, the First Nations Development Institute, the National Indian Child Welfare Association, and the Native American Rights Fund.
NWF says, “Investing in Native-led nonprofits is the best way to enhance positive change in Native communities.” It uplifts the Native nonprofit community through education, advocacy, outreach, and collaboration and fosters increased participation by American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) in the control of charitable activities. NWF’s mission is to activate informed giving to nonprofits in Indian Country and Alaska through donor education and advocacy from the Native non-profit perspective.
For too long, non-Native people have been telling Native people and nations what a healthy nonprofit and capacity building should look like. To correct this offense, NWF provides resources such as a campaign toolkit, downloadable graphics, customizable graphics, virtual presentations and workshops, and a Native-led nonprofit list to support participation.
“Native Nonprofit Day is an opportunity to spotlight the needs of Native communities on a national scale,” said NWF Executive Director Carly Bad Heart Bull, JD (Flandreau Santee). “Native-led organizations know, firsthand, the necessary solutions to help Native people. This campaign is an opportunity to celebrate the strengths of these organizations while also uplifting their need for ongoing fundraising.”
The NWF website (nativeways.org) states, “… Native-led nonprofits know Native communities and their strengths and how best to help Native people. The systemic funding inequities Native-led organizations face make it more difficult to implement Native-led solutions.
“Native-led nonprofits are systemically underfunded, receiving just 0.23 percent of large foundation giving. Native-serving nonprofits receive just 0.15 percent of community foundation giving and giving by individuals to Native-led nonprofits is unknown. The systemic funding inequities Native-led organizations face make it harder to implement Native-led solutions.
“… Native Nonprofit Day is an innovative opportunity for donors and foundations to learn about our amazing Native-led nonprofits and contribute to our groundbreaking work. This campaign encourages donors to give to nonprofits directly through Native-led organizations’ donate pages or through their own fundraisers.”
Native Nonprofit Day occurs annually on the third Friday of May. This is a giving initiative aimed at increasing support for Native-led organizations nationwide in a movement driven by individuals, organizations, and communities across social platforms and beyond. Native-led nonprofits that wish to participate and use campaign resources may visit NativeNonprofit.Day.
NWF defines “Native-led” and “Native-controlled” nonprofits as organizations with at least 51 percent of the board of directors and leadership team identifying as American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian. NWF also advocates for Native-led organizations whose programs predominantly serve tribes, Native communities, and peoples in tribal and/or off-reservation communities.
NWF has officially relaunched its Native Nonprofit List featuring over 60 new Native-led nonprofits that range over 23 focus areas that impact dozens of issues. In addition to being Native-led and Native-controlled, listed organizations must meet the following criteria:
- The organizations must demonstrate specific service to Native people and communities. It must have a mission, vision, strategic plan, or founding documents that express a commitment to serve Native Nations, communities, or people.
- The organization must have U.S. nonprofit status (501c3, 7871, or fiscally sponsored. Tribal Nonprofits must submit the affiliated federally recognized tribe.
- The organization must be in good standing with the IRS as a Tax Exempt Organization. In other words, the organization or fiscal sponsor is eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.
- While NWF recognizes that U.S. boundaries were not created by Indigenous communities and are often in conflict with how Indigenous communities identify, at this time is only including organizations located within the U.S.
Donors, foundations, philanthropic entities, and others can use this list to find, connect with, and uplift Native nonprofits working throughout the U.S. to make an impact in addressing funding inequity. The list profiles Native nonprofits from Aaniih and Nakoda Montessori Academy to Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, including 16 in South Dakota.
The website also noted: “We are inviting all Native-led nonprofits, foundations, individuals, and other allies to join us and we encourage all Native-led nonprofits to use #NativeNonprofitDay, #GiveNative, and #SupportNativeLed in their fundraising efforts leading up to and on Native Nonprofit Day.
“And remember, you can join us in this endeavor by creating content to post, tag, and share—and share other organization’s content—so that all Native-led organizations may benefit!”
(Contact Grace Terry at grace@angelsabide.com)
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SOURCES:
E-newsletter published by Native Ways (nativeways.org) on 5/13/24
mail.google.com/mail/u/1/#inbox/FMfcgzGxTFdxJwqjtdSDQCkDvMGjWztC
www.nativeways.org/news/third-year-of-native-nonprofit-day-is-announced/
www.nativeways.org/native-nonprofit-day/
www.nativeways.org/aboutthelist/
www.nativeways.org/nativenonprofitlist/
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May 21, 2024