American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc is a nonprofit public charity based in Alexandria, Virginia, established in 1990. The organization operates as a child organization under the parent exemption from Christian Relief Services Charities. Running Strong for American Indian Youth works to support Native American communities by meeting critical survival needs and empowering future leaders, with a particular focus on youth development and community sustainability.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.1M
+4.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.1M
+15.5% YoY
Grant Count
46
+31.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$90K
-12.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization's mission is to help American Indian people meet their immediate survival needs—food, water, and shelter—while implementing and supporting programs designed to create opportunities for self-sufficiency and self-esteem, especially for Native youth.
Primary program areas include:
- Food, Water and Critical Needs: Providing essential supplies including coats, hats, gloves, shoes, hygiene kits, blankets, bedding, and household staples to American Indian families unable to afford them
- Water Infrastructure Projects: Installing water systems and hydrants for families on reservations lacking reliable water access
- Emergency Assistance: Providing emergency heating assistance and other urgent relief
- Youth Development: Supporting programs that build self-esteem and create pathways to self-sufficiency
- Traditional Life Skills: Teaching traditional life skills and healthy lifestyle practices with respect for cultural values
Grantmaking
Running Strong for American Indian Youth functions as both a service provider and a grantmaker. The organization's grant-making focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services. Typical grant awards range from $5,990 to $2,013,951.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's funding and program activities are concentrated primarily in South Dakota, California, and Oklahoma, with particular emphasis on rural and reservation communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (2024):
- Total Assets: $10,051,622
- Total Revenues: $8,571,387
- Total Expenses: $8,268,888
- Total Giving: $8,337,278
- Number of Employees: 14
Organization Details:
- EIN: 54-1594578
- IRS Classification: 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- NTEE Code: P84 (Ethnic, Immigrant Centers and Services) and O50 (Youth Development Programs)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,051,622 | $9,607,581 | $9,257,782 |
| Revenue | $10,400,074 | $8,571,387 | $9,610,109 |
| Expenses | $10,070,968 | $8,268,888 | $6,370,678 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $182,104 | $106,881 | $40,445 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
160 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sydney Mills Farhang: Executive Director
- Bryan Krizek: General Counsel / Acting Executive Director
- Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota): Olympic Gold Medalist and Co-founder; serves as National Spokesperson
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRYAN L KRIZEK | PRESIDENT/CEO | 3 | — |
| JAMES J O'BRIEN ESQ | CHAIRMAN | 0.28 | — |
| THOMAS M O'BRIEN | TREASURER | 0.15 | — |
| LORETTA AFRAID OF BEAR COOK | DIRECTOR | 0.15 | — |
| ROBERT J HISEL JR | DIRECTOR | 0.15 | — |
| REAR ADMIRAL ERIC C JONES | DIRECTOR | 0.15 | — |
| ASHLEY SHULTZ | DIRECTOR | 0.15 | — |
| ELAYNE SILVERSMITH | DIRECTOR | 0.15 | — |
| REV DR KETLEN A SOLAK | DIRECTOR | 0.15 | — |
| FRANK STITELY CPA | DIRECTOR | 0.15 | — |
| COLONEL JOHN F WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 0.15 | — |
| PAUL E KRIZEK ESQ | VICE PRESIDENT/GENERAL COU | 3 | — |
| BIEU DO | CFO | 3 | — |
| NHI HO CAO | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The South Dakota Community Foundation awarded $15,000 to Running Strong for American Indian Youth
South Dakota Community Foundation Awards $15,000 to Running Strong for AmericanThe organization received recognition in the Indigenous Tomorrows Fund pilot year, which awarded $720,000 to 24 organizations advancing community wellbeing
In Pilot Year, Youth-Led Indigenous Tomorrows Fund Awards $720K To 24 OrgsRunning Strong was announced as a recipient of the Interior Department's Indian Youth Service Corps Grant Awards
South Dakota Community Foundation Awards $15,000 to Running Strong for AmericanThe organization was recognized as a recipient of the Road Runners Club of America's 2025 Kids Run the Nation Grant program
RRCA Announces 2025 Kids Run the Nation Grant Recipients - Road Runners ClubThe organization operates the DreamStarter program, which supports teachers shaping young learners in Indian communities
2024-2025 Dreamstarter Teachers are shaping young learners - Indian YouthSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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