Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP)
Credit: Native Americans in Philanthropy
| Giver: | Registered Organization |
|---|---|
| Receiver: | - |
| Gift: | Voice/Advocacy |
| Approach: | Philanthropy |
| Issues: | 1. No Poverty, 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13. Climate Action, 15. Life on Land, 3. Good Health and Well-Being, 4. Quality Education, 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth |
| Included in: | Private Foundations |
Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) is a nonprofit that seeks to cultivate a giving landscape founded on indigenous priorities and values. NAP generates grantmaking activity among Tribal nonprofits through a range of advocacy, education and research programs. At the same time, the organization works to broaden the fundraising capacity of Native organizations by forging strategic alliances both within and outside of their communities. Building on deeply-rooted Native American practices of giving and reciprocity, NAP helps contemporary Tribal communities channel their altruistic traditions into modern and impactful avenues of social change.
NAP traces its origins to the 1989 Council of Foundations Conference, when representatives from various indigenous nonprofits met to discuss possibilities for collaborative partnership. Known as the “original table,” the meeting resulted in the formation of two new nonprofit entities: Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP), and NAP.
NAP organizes its activities around three core areas. Through the Tribal Nations Initiative (TNI), the nonprofit spearheads education and public awareness campaigns designed to inspire wider engagement with philanthropic projects. The initiative also nurtures strategic coalitions between diverse Tribal agencies and community groups, with the aim of identifying shared giving priorities while building a resilient and mutually beneficial support system. By strengthening Native American philanthropic infrastructures, the program seeks to increase the flow of grant funding into programs specifically tailored for indigenous communities.
NAP conducts research, advocacy and civic engagement through its Native Voices Rising (NVR) program. Launched in 2013 as a joint project with the Common Council Foundation – a nonprofit that supports social justice movements nationwide – NVR stimulates grassroots activism by aligning Native American nonprofit groups with non-Native funders. In its first decade of operation, NVR disbursed roughly USD 12.5 million in grants to grassroots initiatives within the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native communities.
At the same time, NAP helps new generations connect with the nonprofit sector through its Native Youth Grantmakers program. Aimed at applicants aged 18-24, these grants fund leadership training, mentorship programs and fosters relationships between young activists and nonprofit professionals.
In addition to these programs, NAP conducts outreach through its Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) to help Native American Tribes develop a focused and sustainable philanthropic sector. Acting as a liaison between federal agencies, NGOs and indigenous communities, the OSP develops economic, environmental and educational initiatives aimed at promoting Native American social and cultural values.
Dedicated to bringing diverse charitable entities together in pursuit of common goals, NAP has grown into a potent catalyst for indigenous generosity and social activism. Through its organizing efforts, NAP aspires to create a Native American philanthropic network that is self-directed, inclusive and enduring.
Contributor: Stephen Meyer
| Source type | Full citation | Link (DOI or URL) |
|---|---|---|
| Publication |
Abalo, Trish, Adam Engwis, and Tory Martin. “Philanthropy is Entering a New Era of Engagement with Native Communities.” In 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2022, 22-23. Grand Rapids, MI: Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University, 2022. |
https://johnsoncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/11-Trends-for-2022.pdf |
| Publication |
Barron, Jessica, Eileen Egan, and Raymond Foxworth. “Starting with Hiring: How to Welcome Native Leaders to the Philanthropic Sector.” Nonprofit Quarterly, December 3, 2020. |
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/starting-with-hiring-how-to-welcome-native-leaders-to-the-philanthropic-sector/ |
| Publication |
Kavate, Michael. “Native American Activists Make Gains, but Philanthropy ‘Continues to Scratch the Surface.’” Inside Philanthropy, October 6, 2020. |
https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2020/7/28/native-american-activists-make-gains-but-philanthropy-continues-to-scratch-the-surface |
| Publication |
Smith, Chéri. “How the America the Beautiful Initiative, the Inflation Reduction Act, and Philanthropy Are Effecting a Just Transition in Native American and Alaska Native Communities.” Nonprofit Quarterly, December 21, 2023. |
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/how-america-the-beautiful-initiative-the-inflation-reduction-act-and-philanthropy-are-effecting-just-transition-in-native-american-alaska-native-communities/ |
| Publication |
Sutherland, Laurel. “Funders Commit $102.5 Million to Support Tribal-Led Conservation Efforts in the U.S.” Mongabay, April 27, 2023. |
https://news.mongabay.com/2023/04/funders-commit-102-5-million-to-support-tribal-led-conservation-efforts-in-the-u-s/ |