Very little money in private philanthropy goes to indigenous causes — less than three-tenths of one percent. Yet Native Americans represent over two percent of the U.S. population.
Michael Roberts (Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska), president and CEO of nonprofit First Nations Development Institute, thinks that’s due to a widespread public misconception that the U.S. government supports all Indian needs. The truth is, disparities are compounded by the fact that the Native population has some of the highest rates of poverty, food insecurity, diet-related illness and the poorest educational outcomes.
To address this issue, two years ago, First Nations Development Institute launched NativeGiving.org to offer a simple platform to donate to Native nonprofits focused on benefiting Indian country’s most vital asset: its Native youth.
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“The biggest issue is that no one knows these folks exist,” Roberts previously told ICMN of the Native organizations featured on NativeGiving.org.
Roberts calls the NativeGiving.org website a “one-stop shopping mall” for philanthropists who are looking for worthy Native charities to support. Choose a cause and conveniently donate directly on the site. One-hundred percent of the tax-deductible donations goes to the designated groups. “It is very much like crowdsourcing,” said Roberts.
The NativeGiving.org pilot project launched in December 2014 with the generous $306,000 underwriting of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan. Eight nonprofits are currently featured on the NativeGiving.org site:
- College of Menominee Nation (Keshena, Wisconsin)
- Leadership Institute at the Santa Fe Indian School (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
- Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
- Oyate Teca Project (Kyle, South Dakota)
- STAR School (Flagstaff, Arizona)
- Sust’ainable Molokai (Kaunakakai, Hawaii)
- Tewa Women United (Española, New Mexico)
- Zuni Youth Enrichment Project (Zuni, New Mexico)
Most recently, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians near Highland, California, donated $50,000 to the project. The Band’s grant will provide the participating eight organizations with specific webinars and one-on-one training or coaching on various topics dealing with fundraising, planning, donor retention, and giving policies and practices.
“We’re honored to partner with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to further expand and sustain the Native nonprofits involved with our NativeGiving.org initiative,” Roberts said. “Together, the San Manuel Band, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and First Nations are actively supporting the development and betterment of Native children, their families and tribal communities, all of which strengthens Indian Country overall.”
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