American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc
American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc is a public charity based in Alexandria, Virginia. It supports American Indian communities, with a particular focus on Native youth, through programs and grants addressing basic needs, food, water, youth development, and cultural and language preservation.
Key facts about American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc
In short: American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc gave $8.3M across 65 grants in 2025 (avg $127K), mostly in South Dakota. 43% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 54-1594578
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,255,816
- Grants made (2025)
- 65
- Average grant
- $127,013
- Median grant
- $30,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (28 of 65, 2025)
- Total assets
- $10,051,622
- Primary geography
- South Dakota (59% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- For Dreamstarter, applicants apply with a mentor organization and submit the application together; the applicant should be prepared to provide tribal-enrollment documentation. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The Dreamstarter application deadline is January 8, 2027.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$10.1M
+4.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.3M
+33.1% YoY
Grant Count
65
+38.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$127K
-3.7% YoY
Is American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 28 of 65 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $34K; repeat grants $197K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $58K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
Running Strong’s stated mission is to help American Indian people meet immediate survival needs while implementing and supporting programs that create opportunities for self-sufficiency and self-esteem, especially for Native youth. Its program areas include food and gardening, clean water, critical needs, youth development, and culture and language preservation.
The organization supports a range of grantees. For example, Oyate Teca Project describes its mission as promoting the well-being of children and families on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation through health, educational, and recreational programs. Xinewh-Ding describes its work as reclaiming time and space for holistic Hupa language resurgence and cultivating intergenerational healing. Vision Maker Media says it shares Native stories that represent American Indian and Alaska Native cultures, experiences, and values. Local Environmental Action Demanded Agency describes its work as educating communities on environmental concerns in northeast Oklahoma.
Grantmaking
Its largest reported grants included:
Running Strong says organizational grant requests are submitted under its published grant guidelines. It conducts a pre-grant review of an applicant’s ability to carry out the proposed project; awards are governed by written agreements requiring financial and narrative reports, which staff review.
Dreamstarter is a separate opportunity for Native youth applying with a mentor organization. The current application page says eligible applicants must be enrolled in a state- or federally recognized tribal nation, be ages 18–30, and propose a project that gives back to or uplifts their community. Applicants and mentors apply together through a registered 501(c)(3) or 7871 nonprofit mentor organization. The page lists a $20,000 award and requires grantees and mentors to attend Dreamstarter Academy.
Review Cycle
The Dreamstarter application deadline is January 8, 2027. The application period opens August 7, 2026. Grantees and mentors are required to attend Dreamstarter Academy April 19–23, 2027.
How to Apply
For Dreamstarter, applicants apply with a mentor organization and submit the application together; the applicant should be prepared to provide tribal-enrollment documentation. The organization’s general grant requests follow its published guidelines and are subject to pre-grant review.
Ready to take the next step with American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization describes its programs as serving Native communities across the country. In 2025, 82% of grant dollars went to recipients in South Dakota; the next largest state shares were Nebraska (3%), Oklahoma (2%), Nevada (2%), and Arizona (2%). Its reported grants also included recipients in California, Hawaii, Maryland, and Kansas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 65 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.6M (2022) to $8.3M (2025). In 2025 it made 65 grants totaling $8.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Oyate Teca Project ($1.6M). Together the top 10 received $6.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
234 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 148 grants of 234 (63%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oyate Teca Project Kyle, SD | Youth center, education support, cultural programming, gardening and food | $1,584,016 |
| Brave Heart Society Lake Andes, SD | Cultural Programs | $1,278,877 |
| Pine Ridge Reservation Districts Pine Ridge, SD | Water, Heat Match, Food Security, Critical Inkind Assistance | $1,171,600 |
| Cheyenne River Reservation Districts Eagle Butte, SD | Summer Food Program | $486,495 |
| Brushy Cherokee Action Association Sallisaw, OK | Holiday Programs and Critical American Indian Needs | $447,468 |
| Walker River Paiute Tribe Schurz, NV | Critical American Indian Needs | $424,557 |
| Muldrow Cherokee Community Organization Muldrow, OK | Critical American Indian Needs | $242,275 |
| Menominee Indian School District Keshena, WI | Critical American Indian Needs | $234,317 |
| Wakpala School Wakpala, SD | Critical American Indian Needs | $145,414 |
| Crow Reservation Districts Crow Agency, MT | Critical American Indian Needs | $141,072 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $10,051,622 | $10,400,074 | $10,070,968 | $4,118,977 across 46 grants |
| 2024 | $9,607,581 | $8,571,387 | $8,268,888 | $3,565,852 across 35 grants |
| 2023 | $9,257,782 | $9,610,109 | $6,370,678 | $2,953,379 across 29 grants |
| 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 |
| Net Investment Income | $182,104 | $106,881 | $40,445 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 21, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing include Bryan L. Krizek, President/CEO; James J. O’Brien, Esq., Chairman; and Thomas M. O’Brien, Treasurer. Directors listed were Loretta Afraid of Bear Cook, Robert J. Hisel Jr., Rear Admiral Eric C. Jones, Ashley Shultz, Elayne Silversmith, Rev. Dr. Ketlen A. Solak, and Frank Stitely, CPA.
American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc is led by Bryan L. Krizek, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; none of the 14 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bryan L. Krizek
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James J. O'Brien Esq.
Chairman
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elayne Silversmith
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Loretta Afraid Of Bear Cook
Director
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rear Admiral Eric C. Jones
Director
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colonel John F. Williams
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Stitely CPA
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ketlen A. Solak
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert J. Hisel Jr.
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Shultz
Director
On filings since 2024
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bieu Do
CFO
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul E. Krizek Esq.
Vice President & General Counsel
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nhi Ho Cao
Secretary
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas M. O'Brien
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Ashley Wahiaronkwas Morris (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Clyde B. Richardson (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Emil Her Many Horses (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Lauren Haas Finkelstein (2021–2022) — Executive Director -
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 8301 Richmond Highway 200, Alexandria, VA 22309
Phone: (703) 317-9881
Website: https://indianyouth.org
Frequently asked questions about American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc
How much does American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc give each year?
American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc gave $8.3M across 65 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $6.2M across 47 grants.
What is American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc's typical grant size?
American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $127,013, across 65 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc that year got $34K on average.
Where does American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc give grants?
American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc gives mostly in South Dakota: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Oklahoma (10%) and Nevada (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pine Ridge, SD (2 grants), Eagle Butte, SD (2 grants), Muldrow, OK (2 grants) and Saint Paul, MN (2 grants).
Does American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 65 grants with a stated purpose on American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Critical American Indian Needs" (19 grants), "Dreamstarter" (18 grants) and "Education/School Support" (4 grants).
Who are American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc's largest grantees?
American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Oyate Teca Project ($1,584,016), Brave Heart Society ($1,278,877) and Pine Ridge Reservation Districts ($1,171,600), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc?
American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc reported $10.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.4M.
What does American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc fund?
Running Strong’s stated mission is to help American Indian people meet immediate survival needs while implementing and supporting programs that create opportunities for self-sufficiency and self-esteem, especially for Native youth. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc?
For Dreamstarter, applicants apply with a mentor organization and submit the application together; the applicant should be prepared to provide tribal-enrollment documentation. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc's EIN?
American Indian Youth Running Strong Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1594578. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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