First Nations Development Institute

First Nations Development Insitute serves as a trusted partner and intermediary. They have a legacy of advocating and investing in Native communities. Keep up the amazing work!

I have been extremely impressed with First Nations since first discovering the organization during COVID. Their mission and what they are able to do with the funds they receive, are both exemplary. The thing that most impresses me, though, is the nature of their granting: they trust their grantees! Rather than telling their grantees exactly what they should do with their funds, and loading their already-full plates with required reports to fill out, they trust that those groups who receive the monies know best how to use it to fulfill their needs. So First Nations seems to review requests, decide on grantees, award the funds, and then get out of the way. That is so very rare. It is also incredibly effective. We have donated to First Nations for years and will continue to do so.

From language to land rights, FNDI has practical, actionable strategies and programs that integrate cultural and physical survival through projects and grant making. FNDI addresses a range of concerns and challenges faced by Tribal communities from food ways, language and arts to the complex management of Tribal lands. Their vision and pragmatic programming effectively support economic development with an emphasis on social, environmental and cultural development. The Stewarding Native Lands offers leadership for sustainable management of natural resources that can lead the way within the Tribal communities and beyond.

As a community organizer and also a grantmaker, I have found that there is no organization quite like FNDI. They have the vision, the leadership and experienced staff to deliver concrete and measurable progress for the Tribes with whom they work. Their leadership on issues of stewarding native lands and climate change offers not only Tribes hope, but can lead the way toward a clean energy future for other communities willing to listen and learn.

Great nonprofit organization that supports Native American communities across the US!

My name is Maurice LeBlanc. I am retired from 25 years of work at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. I am writing to share my thoughts and experience with First Nations Development Institute I was privileged to attend an orientation to their work by going on a one-week trip to Pueblos in New Mexico. What I saw were cooperative programs with First Nations which showed:

• examples of Pueblos growing food and other means to become self-sufficient
• Native American Indians becoming more entrepreneurial in spirit and action
• Indians learning to speak and preserve their native languages
• Indians in general reaching higher levels of education and contributing that knowledge for betterment
• more Indians reaching higher levels of community and state offices where they can influence legislation

All of these achievements point directly back to First Nations in their working cooperatively together with their grantee collaborators to produce benefits and achieve higher goals for the American Indians to be more proactive and contributing to the whole. It was refreshing and rewarding to see. I respect and support First Nations.

First Nations Development Institute improves economic conditions for Native Americans through direct financial grants, technical assistance & training, and advocacy & policy. The Claneil Foundation is grateful for the powerful work of this organization as it strengthens American Indian economies and builds healthy, powerful Native communities. We love what they do and love how they dot it!

My husband and I believe First Nations Development Institute is the best non-profit organization we have ever supported, Native-based or otherwise.  Every year they receive highest marks across the criteria that make an organization outstanding.  I would like to share some of my personal reasons for supporting First Nations with my heart and with donations that have never been pressured, but always welcomed with a beautiful thank-you letter and a private note from Michael Roberts, the President and CEO for many years.  I believe his vision has brought the non-profit to this level of greatness. He tells supporters that we are the reasons they can help so many Native American communities in a huge variety of ways. His letters always include updates on several current projects, and his pride is evident...honestly, every staff member I have listen to, spoken to, or met is proud to be a part of First Nations!

As a teacher for 28 years, and a school volunteer for an additional 17 years, I love how this organization supports Native youth in many programs with grants, school scholarships, support workers, and by gathering community elders into teaching teams, knowing children are the future and strength of the many tribes across our nation.  Sadly, cultural pride has often been suppressed over too many generations.  Now their cultures, including arts, healthy Native foods, books, and languages are taught with grant funds to share examples of heritage between age groups now. They have been very successful with this goal.

With climate change concerns, which vary in different states but always affect Native Americans’ quality of life in negative ways, First Nations works closely with tribes to use the latest science and expert opinions to manage their lands wisely and enrich their communities at the same time. While I’m foggy on details like the tribe and state now, I remember one amazing project several years ago that encompassed skills from learning about farming readiness and techniques, then growing healthy traditional Native American crops and learning great ways, old and new, to cook them.  Young tribal adults eventually used grant money to open a small café on the reservation!  They were so proud of their learning journey!  And I loved learning about that successful endeavor, because it truly highlights First Nations’ whole approach, rather than just giving/throwing money and hoping it solves a bunch of problems...I believe history has proved that it seldom does!

I previewed a great documentary movie called “Gather” which was made by members of several different tribes, including chefs, historians, and community activists, and I was invited give comments about the movie, which was excellent!  It details food sovereignty, and I especially appreciated learning about the northern California coastal Yurok tribe, since I live close to that area. I am pleased to hear of the movements to bring back the traditional and community-building focus on foods. 

I have enjoyed several webinars teaching interested people about the stewardship of a variety of lands, and I was invited to view a webinar called “Tribal Lands Conservation Fund” that taught about the importance of preserving these important Native assets.  My husband and I contributed to it immediately once we understood the serious issues being encountered.  As usual, justice and opportunity aren’t common words used in discussions about Native Americans, but I trust that First Nations will continue to remedy that in the years to come.

I don’t pretend to be an expert on this fine non-profit...but my husband and I are true believers in their missions and the way they set about accomplishing them.  We hope you will grant First Nations your 2024 Top-Rated Nonprofit Badge!    Your continued support will help them do even more, as donors have such respect for your research and recommendations.

Diane Douglass and Bob Douglass
Fremont, California

This is a wonderful Native led nonprofit whose initiatives are far reaching. They are continually bringing people together for education, culture, and work to uplift Native communities. In last week's newsletter these were some of the topics: "Shared Horizons: Navigating Tribal Co-Stewardship and Co-Management Opportunities Conference," "Expanding Education and Access for Renewable Energy for Tribes," "Chef Crystal Wahpepah Puts Indigenous Foods on the Map," and sponsoring the "Northern Great Plains Young Natural Resource Professionals Cohort" for peer-to-peer learning, fostering leadership skills, and enhancing technical knowledge of conservation. They are doing important and great work.

I have been donating to First Nations Development Institute for decades. Initially I gave to them to help small Native entrepreneurs, but later I learned from federal research that lack of access to Capital was the biggest hurdle to Native advancement and housing, a large factor in generational wealth. I have increased my giving to them as I have learned more about them, including their seeding of Oweesta to invest in Native communities.

I have been a supporter of FNDI for nearly a decade, and have been lucky enough to recently work with this fantastic team in hosting an event on their behalf. Every member I have had the fortune to cross paths with is passionate, dedicated and brilliant. I was drawn to FNDI by the organization's mission, but I have stayed loyal and committed because of the people who steward it.

First Nations Development Institute is our top philanthropic priority. This Native-led nonprofit does highly effective work, resourcing Native communities in areas like food sovereignty and health, connecting Tribal youth to their cultural ways, financial empowerment, strengthening Tribal institutions, and stewarding Native lands. Their California Tribal Fund allows me to support this work in my home state -- work that benefits all of us, as Native knowledge-keepers begin to take leadership in managing land to reduce the destruction from forest fires.
FNDI does a great job involving donors in their work. We have learned so much traveling to community partner sites with other supporters. We are glad to have found such a great nonprofit to support.

I have been supporting First Nations Development Institute for more than 10 years. Their support has had a tremendous impact on the communities they serve because they listen to those communities and they fund projects driven by the communities themselves, not by an outside agenda. Through their donor trips and newsletters I have seen the impact they are having on food sovereignty, education, art and cultural activities and language revitalization programs. I have met with Native farmers, artists and educators and the enthusiasm and pride in their projects is inspiring. As a non-Native person I have learned a tremendous amount and my commitment to this organization has only deepened.

First Nations is the most important nonprofit I support. I love the laser focus on indigenous issues, including language immersion, eco-friendly agriculture and many other things related to indigenous culture. Importantly, this nonprofit is directed by leaders and a board of Native American individuals. Their priorities align well with the important issues that need to be addressed in indigenous communities. As indicated by the top rating in Charity Navigator, the vast majority of donated funds are deployed to support relevant projects, with a small percentage used for administrative purposes and fund raising. Leaders are staff are paid well but none receive exorbitant salaries like those I see at certain other nonprofits. Altogether, this is an outstanding nonprofit deserving of notice by Great Nonprofits.

We have supported First Nations Development institute for over 5 years. Their comprehensive mission and programs for Native communities across the U.S. seek to nurture and challenge those communities in demonstrating their rightful place in our nation and strengthening Native peoples in their diverse goals and gifts. As a contributor we have found the staff to be responsive to our inquiries and faithful in using our gifts. First Nations Development Institute is in our view the most outstanding organization in the U.S. working with and for Native peoples.

Raymond and Kathryn Jordan

I inherited a love for Native American history and peoples from my parents. I investigated a number of prominent Native American not-for-profit organizations when I reached the point of being able to make donations. There are many doing laudable work but First Nations Development Institute stands out for the
depth and breadth of their work and their commitment to excellent programming, integrity and transparency. I admire FNDI and its outstanding staff. I agree with their mission statement:

"First Nations Development Institute is a national, nonprofit, Native American organization whose mission is to strengthen American Indian economies to support healthy Native communities.

We believe that only solutions designed by Native peoples, for Native peoples, through the control of their assets and based on their cultural values, will succeed."

It is my pleasure to contribute in a very small way to their ongoing efforts.

Jenifer Grant Marx
Indialantic, FL
(321) 961-3631

FNDI is a pillar in Indian Country. They go beyond finding and funding amazing Native-led community efforts. They host events, trainings and other supports for grantees. I'm grateful to have had FNDI as a funder at our small organization -- especially during the pandemic when they sent additional funds to serve our community in need.

As a grantee, our Indigenous nonprofit has had a terrific experience with First Nations. They have supported our work in critical ways and led with relationships and trust. We are deeply grateful!

In my Salmon Marketing role that I've had with Columbia River Inter Tribal Fish Commission since 2015 First Nations Development Institute has supported our program with funding for development of Food Safety Modernization recommendations for our Tribes and Food Code Models. During the COVID pandemic we received emergency unrestricted funds to help our Tribal members with PPE's, Food, Water and cleaning supplies. We received a Gather Food Sovereignty grant to help market our salmon. The reporting process of these grants have been really simple for us. We appreciate the support that we received. We've also attended and presented at Food Sovereignty Summits that First Nations has helped coordinate. I know before my role with Salmon Marketing that First Nations supported our program for many years and other CRITFC departments and hope to continue this relationship.

This non-profit organization is very help and seems to be overly excited to assist our organization in leading to a grant, providing useful tips and following through on other input issue we may encounter.

The staff is very friendly, knowledgeable with a high degree of expertise. We have experienced three grants with First Nations and look for other opportunities to apply for others that may apply to our needs.

What a great way to support numerous, diverse First Nations endeavors, from environmental sustainability to justice to cultural heritage to basic food security.

The team at First Nations Development Institute has done a phenomenal job of allowing us as donors to get close to their work, and better understand the needs and opportunities in supporting native communities. They support a large number of tribes and organizations in the US, and we have developed complete trust in their team's grant-making to dozens of wonderful native projects and efforts. We feel very fortunate to be a part of their donor family.

My wife and i have donated to FNDI for many years.....We began donating after doing our research and found them to be highly rated and very well run....Over the years we have met many of the staff and participated in a highly personalized tour of several New Mexico Pueblos....it was a life changing experience to see th productive use our contributions, meet the dedicated people and further our knowledge of the needs of Native Communities.;;;;
While there are many good organizations of give to FNDI, in our experience,, is the best.....jim/sandy heuerman, Prescott, AZ.

I just spent seven days with First Nations Development Institute on their 2023 Southwest Sojourn visiting many of the projects that they support. I was very impressed with the organization and their people and the results that I saw as a result of their help. I went as a guest of a donor and did not know about First Nations Development Institute prior to the trip but will definitely consider contributing to them when planning my charitable contributions this year. I've been looking for a way to contribute to Native Americans but didn't know where to start. I feel sure that this is a great way to do that.

FNDI is a fantastic granting organization. They are flexible, clear, and responsive communicators with grantees, and sincere in their efforts to support Native nations. I definitely recommend working with them!

I'm glad to tell folks about First Nations Development Institute. Since I first made a significant donation to its Youth Empowerment Fund, I have been invited to participate in webinars and meetings of allies, and encouraged to learn more about the steps that first nations are taking to reclaim their heritage and come forward as healers of our broken world. This level of active participation has met a deep need in me to lift up justice with deeper understanding. There is no measure to my gratitude for what I have been given by my warm connection to this outstandingly effective and generous organization.

This past September, Blue Sky Funders Forum partnered with First Nations Development Institute to co-host a webinar highlighting Indigenous-led and -serving organizations that connect people with the outdoors. First Nations was fantastic in helping to frame the conversation, recruit speakers, and create a brave and open space for Indigenous and Tribal communities to gather.

Blue Sky would definitely work with First Nations again! They were a joy to work with, and the work they do is incredibly impactful.

- Berkeley, Blue Sky Funders Forum

There are more deserving programs for Native Americans than I personally have money to give. Donating through First Nations gives me confidence that my donations -although modest- are being distributed fairly and well spent.

I have worked with and supported the work of First Nations Development Institute since it's inception. the work they have done with federally recognized Indian Tribes and Nations has kept pace with the contemporary issues facing American Indians as individuals; our communities; and, our governments

There are a lot of nonprofits supporting indigenous people. I financially support FNDI because they provide grants to many of these organizations - many of which I may never hear of. I particularly appreciate their commitment to revitalizing the indigenous way of interacting with the natural environment, the resurgence of food culture, and the support for youth development. I learn so much from the electronic newsletters. I am grateful to have found FNDI as a place where I can share my modest bounty.

We have been very honored to be supporters of the First Nations Development Institute. FNDI came to our attention early in the pandemic as an organization gathering funds and granting them to Indigenous tribes and organizations to help weather COVID-19, which impacted Native people disproportionately. As we researched FNDI, we were stunned to realize that they granted funds on a trust basis: they gave the money and trusted that the tribal groups knew best how to help their own communities. What a concept! There were no requirements of big reports documenting how each dollar was spent, justifying why, or creating proof that the money was being used "wisely". So no time and money was wasted in fulfilling such requirements - all resources could be focused on addressing the actual needs. That is so incredibly rare in the nonprofit world!

In the years since we first became involved, we've continued to be impressed with how FNDI is run, the people who work there, and the many projects they support. They have an extensive website filled with information on their projects. Their weekly newsletter is very well-written, with valuable news for both Native and none-Native alike. We've become more involved with issues we've discovered through them, and we continue to learn about both historical and current systems impacting Indigenous people in North America. Most philanthropic organizations appear to be unaware of the great need for financial support of Indigenous communities, which have been, and continue to be marginalized. First Nations Development Institute is vital for bringing resources to bear in addressing those needs. Though we don't have a lot of money to give, we are regular donors and will remain so.

An all-around excellent nonprofit!

Starting to look for a Native American organization to partner with a number of years ago, I found First Nations Development Institute stood out above all others. At First Nations Development Institute, I found people who cultivated an environment of teaching and partnership with their supporters to facilitate their steadfast approach to fulfill their mission for hundreds of tribes who they support, train and develop. Their work with Native Americans is directed at the individual needs of the tribes whether it is: young people, healthy foods/agriculture/ranching, stewarding lands, or empowering them and their efforts to build financial futures, fulfill community needs and support tribal institutions, including other native-led startup non-profits.
Their website, particularly the Knowledge Center, includes a wealth of information about their programs, studies, publications and webinars available to everyone. But above all I totally support them because of the integrity of their staff and their transparency in their financial transactions and communications. Over the years I’ve found the staff to be dedicated to their mission, very well informed, very responsive and professionally friendly.
First Nations Development Institute’s organizational response to the pandemic seemed like an instantaneous pivot to address the needs of the tribes no matter where they were located, what they needed including: immediate development of new strategies and ways to support them, whether it was minimizing the process to provide grants, to finding and developing new suppliers and the transporting of food, water, and health products. .
They are fully capable of great things and they accomplish those things every day. They are simply the best!

When I discovered First Nations Development Institute, I was looking for an organization that supported self determination and autonomy in Native communities. I love to support First Nations Development Institute because I know that the money I donate to their organization helps to enable choice, freedom and independence for Native Americans.

First Nations Development Institute is one of, if not the most, rewarding charity that I have supported over the past several decades. The organization is a national leader in bringing different tribal perspectives together; developing thoughtful programs, rooted in the real needs of the communities it serves, that will strengthen Native life and culture across the country; and doing so in a way that lifts spirits in ever-widening circles of grantees, internal staff and donors. Indeed, one of the most remarkable features of First Nations is how it educates and engages with its donor community, providing intimate insight into the people and policies that carry forward First Nations' work on the ground.

I support First Nations Development Institute for several reasons. First, the mission is to strengthen Native American economies with the goal of stronger Native communities. Secondly, First Nations Development Institute receives the highest marks as a charitable organization, according to well known charity ranking organizations Guide Star and Charity Navigator. This is important to me since I know I can give in confidence and that my financial support is directed and managed appropriately. First Nations makes numerous and plentiful grants to well planned and necessary efforts that support local Native American communities.
Third, First Nations not only makes nunerous grants available, but assists communities in their efforts, with great success. First Nations, also, does not impose its organization onto grant receiving Nations and communities, but collaborates to facilitate successes. Finally, my involvement has included meeting some of First Nations staff. The level of integrity and pride of mission in these folks is palpable. I strongly encourage you to consider First Nations in your giving plans

First Nations provides unique, practical, community-based support across a broad range of issues affecting First Nations - health, education, food security, land management, etc. Its approach is highly professional, and it is very results oriented. Its communications with donors and stakeholders is exemplary. First Nations makes very judicious use of the resources provided by donors, and the impact of donor funding is very evident. This is one of the best NGOs I have encountered. I strongly recommend First Nations to anyone looking for meaningful impact and accountability in the recipient of donor funding.