First Nations is the most highly-rated American Indian nonprofit in the nation. We improve economic conditions for Native Americans through direct financial grants, technical assistance & training, and advocacy & policy.
What our community partners are saying -
"I love working with First Nations! They actually listen to our needs and have provided support to reach short term and long term goals. I have often felt the need to fit into funders "boxes" or try to meet their "expectations". But working with the California Fund program has been a dream come true for us. Always listening to us and providing suggestions, they have never exploited our relationship but rather encourage us to help ourselves and others.. Hutwima!"
Read more on our GreatNonprofits profile.
Our mission is to uplift and sustain the lifeways and economies of Native communities through advocacy, financial support, and knowledge sharing.
We invest in and create innovative institutions and models that strengthen asset control and support economic development for American Indian people and their communities.
With the support of individuals, foundations, corporate and tribal donors, First Nations Development Institute improves economic conditions for Native Americans through technical assistance & training, advocacy & policy, and direct financial grants in multiple key areas:
*Research and Advocacy for Native Economic Justice
*Stewarding Native Lands
*Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments
*Advancing Household & Community Asset-Building Strategies
*Strengthening Tribal & Community Institutions
*Investing in Native Youth
*Achieving Native Financial Empowerment
First Nations Development Institute is a national 44-year-old Native American-led nonprofit organization headquartered in Longmont, Colorado.
Over its history, First Nations has educated and supported hundreds of Native communities by providing the training tools, program models and financial resources required for creating, strengthening and retaining community-based Native nonprofit and tribal organizations.
Our core belief is that only solutions provided by Native peoples, for Native people, and defined within their own development strategies and cultural values, will succeed. In harmony with this philosophy, we work with Native communities where we are welcomed and invited - ensuring that our assistance will help projects move forward and be implemented in accordance with Native community values and priorities.
First Nations began its national grantmaking program in 1993. Through mid-year 2024, we have successfully managed 3,473 grants totaling $84 million to Native American projects and organizations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territory American Samoa.
Organization name
First Nations Development Institute
other names
First Nations
1980
Category
Community Improvement & Capacity Building
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
2432 Main StOther
8421 Osuna Road, NEOther
696 E Colorado Blvd Suite 222NM, US
CO, US
CA, US
AK, US
MT, US