I have worked for non-profit organizations, large and small, throughout my career and have served on many non-profit boards as a volunteer. I can honestly say that Americans for Native Americans (ANA) is one of the best run organizations I have ever encountered and worked with. They are mission driven, clear on their core values, incredibly responsible regarding administrative costs, and very flexible in response to the needs they are working to address. It is very difficult to run a non-profit organization with no paid staff, and to maintain and grow an organization started and supported by one founder, once that person is gone. The volunteers of ANA have done both. When needs of the Native tribes they are supporting are revealed, they have creatively partnered with social service agencies in that region to support initiatives to address those problems. That includes providing healthy bags of food for school children to take home to feed their families over weekends, providing ear, eye and physical exams for school children in the Native schools who are desperately short of school nurses, establishing a visiting nursing program and scholarships for Native nursing students to address that need, collecting school supplies and clothing based on requests from school counselors, so that children can come to school ready to learn, and building a Veterinary Clinic in a Pueblo. The entire list is much longer. Most important, ANA has inspired many people in eastern and central Pennsylvania to learn of the issues facing the First Nations in Western New Mexico and to support and contribute to helping in many different ways. When people donate to Americans for Native Americans they can be sure that they are supporting an organization that truly has its finger on the pulse of the Native people they serve and is stretching the impact of every dollar they raise to serve these very deserving people.
Since 1991, this dedicated group of volunteers has been providing essential goods and programs to foster self-reliance and mutual understanding to he Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni Nations. All of their programs address many of the basic needs of the communities they serve. The organization is able to accomplish so much on an annual basis through strong, ongoing partnerships with other non-profits, public and private entities all with the similar commitment of addressing the needs of underserved Native American youth and people.
I knew about Americans for Native Americans (ANA) for several years before joining the Garden Party Committee and then the Board of Directors. As I have gotten more and more involved, I have gained new insights on the significant need of Native Americans that are supported by ANA. A particular focus is Food for Kids, providing food for school aged children. The generosity I have seen displayed by members of the Doylestown community is amazing!! All money raised goes to the folks in need with no administrative costs.
ANA is a hard working, enthusiatic group that puts 100% into helping youth and families in the Native American areas around Gallup, New Mexico. Having traveled there at least 5 times to work in the food pantry, I see the benefits this work helps with food, clothing, school supplies, and medical screening in schools. Fundraising is done locally in the Doylestown, PA, with all monies going to ANA and no administrative costs. Their dedicated committee helps with fundraising and collecting supplies that are sent to schools in the Gallup area as well as planning the Garden Party held in August.
This is an organization helping Native American nursing students with tuition support and financial support for licensing fees. Additionally Americans for Native Americans completes health screening in the Gallup area with Native American student populations. We just completed health screenings for 500 school students in September 2023.
They have many outstanding projects that help Native Americans. Nobody on the Board receives any compensation. From helping Native Americans become nurses, having food delivered to those in need, to helping schools with their needs, to
a Veterinary Medicine program that cares for all the animals found on various reservation at no cost!
ANA is an organization that is multifaceted in helping those in need.
I was looking for a charitable group to help support when I ran across ANA. 98% of all funds raised go to programs that benefit Native Americans. This is astounding and fits in with what I was looking for. Since getting involved, I have come to realize how dedicated the membership is and has been for many years. A lot of time is spent making the best use of donations. For example, rather than just buying clothing when needed to support the destitute, they negotiate with stores and bargain shop to stretch the dollars as much as is possible. In my 60 years of being involved with non-profits across the country, this group really stands out.
I attended a trip to New Mexico in September 2023 to screen Native American children in need. We were able to screen 500 children which we could not have done without this organization. ANA has their heart in the right place in helping these children and communities. They have also donated to the Gallup Food Bank for many years to provide for these children and their families. They also support nursing students in scholarships to obtain their degrees. These nurses give back to the community in return. I look forward to working with them in the future. This is a fantastic organization.
ANA has been a main supporter of helping The Community Pantry feed its most vulnerable populations in McKinley County, New Mexico. They provide funding to assist with weekend meal for almost 900 children, kindergarten through 1st grade. McKinley County has the highest rate of food insecurity for children, 1 in 3 are at risk of being food insecure. ANA also provides a group of people who come and volunteer their time and effort, with us twice a year, assisting with this program and others. We would not be successful with this program if we did not have the dedication and their compassion like we do.
I was a volunteer and board member of ANA, so I know firsthand what an amazing organization this is-it provides desperately needed resources for Native Americans, with little to no funds used from donations. I know and completely trust that the money I donate will benefit Native Americans in many of their programs-Nursing scholarships, vet programs, food programs, etc.
Americans for Native Americans has supported our school's children's garden and greenhouse since these were started. Growing into our third year, ANA has again helped fund the soil for the raised beds, seeds, and other necessities for the elementary and middle school students to experience and learn about gardening, plant science, and how their time invested provides delicious results. Thank you, ANA!
Review from Guidestar
Americans for Native Americans has been an integral part of our school's well being. I teach in a small school in New Mexico that is 100% Navajo students. ANA has been involved with our dorm, counseling and education departments. They have conducted health screenings, classroom support and several donations throughout the school year. The relationships that they have made with the staff and students are amazing and comforting. I have personally requested items for my students and school and have always had a very quick response! This year alone they have done a health screening, jackets for every student in our school, (over 150 students) and gave high quality Christmas gifts for each of our children. I cannot thank ANA enough for all of the support that they have given our school. Thank you!
Review from Guidestar
ANA is truly a blessing to our Native American students at Mariano Lake Community School in Mariano Lake, New Mexico. They have helped our students with personal hygiene items, pajamas, Student of the Month blankets, Christmas items, Easter items and school supplies. They have also come to our school to help with student health needs. This organization would be a great asset to any organization who works with young students.
Review from Guidestar
I am incredibly thankful for this amazing organization. I started my nursing journey at UNM-G in 2012 and graduated 2014. During my third semester, a few classmates and I were selected among our nursing school peers to partake in the Expanding Horizons in Nursing at Doylestown Hospital. I believe 6 Native American students were chosen based on their grades, commitment, dedication, and essays. Four students (myself included) of our third semester class got the chance to be the first ever group of students to receive and take part in this great opportunity. We shadowed different nurses from ED, ICU, CVICU, Cardiac Cath Lab, NICU, PICU, and L&D. The Doylestown Hospital staff were very welcoming, patient, and encouraging. Our ANA host families were the BEST! It's been five years since our trip, and I am happy we still keep in contact with our ANA members. Not only did we receive much needed scholarships every semester - ANA helped pay for my NCLEX fees. Making my dream more attainable.
On my very first day, I was paired up with a CV-ICU nurse who received a fresh post-op patient who had extensive cardiac surgery. She was very polite, patient, enthusiastic, and excited to teach. She taught me more in those few hours than she'll ever know. I don't remember her name, but I recall leaving the unit with such gratitude and the motivation to move mountains. I later told our instructor at our debriefing that I could totally see myself working in an Intensive Care Unit one day just like the nurse I shadowed. Five years later, here I am - an ICU RN. �
Review from Guidestar
Americans for Native Americans is a gem! My connection with them began at a small school on the Navajo Nation and continues to this day at another school. They have been extremely supportive and creative in their giving to our students. They have given school supplies, clothing, books, garden supplies and whatever we have needed to assist our students in their education and personal journeys. They have raised funds that make it possible for our school to provide food for children who may have nothing to eat on the weekends. They have provided personal hygiene items to help build children's self esteem and confidence. We see a need and we ask for help and it is provided. ANA is a blessing to all our children and communities not just in their giving but by the wonderful, positive relationships we have that reaffirm the goodness in the world in which we live!
Review from Guidestar
As a ANA scholarship recipient, the ANA scholarship has helped me focus all my efforts on school and relieved some of the financial burden that nursing students face. The people of ANA are so kind and generous with big hearts. I am so thankful that ANA helped me reach my goal as a registered nurse.
Erika, RN
Review from Guidestar
A wonderful organization that has provided me with financial assistance while I pursued my dreams of being a registered nurse. With a grateful heart i have achieved that dream. I am looking forward to donating back and participating in the future events that they host.
Review from Guidestar
Applauses, Applauses for this wonderful organization!!! An organization that truly believes in taking care of people that are less fortunate. Because of Americans for Native Americans we here at The Community Pantry are able to complete our mission of putting food on the table for the elderly, families and children. With their assistance we have been able to expand our Food for Kids programs. We are now taking care of 504 children with weekend food items they would not have without the help of Americans for Native Americans. What a blessing to know such an amazing organization and have them as friends.
Review from Guidestar
Exemplary organization that is fully committed to its mission. Very transparent and providing services to Native Americans who are greatly in need and lack opportunities for assistance. I feel confident that my donation is going directly to the people who need it and the services that ANA is providing to them.
Review from Guidestar