First Nations Development Institute
First Nations Development Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Longmont, Colorado, with additional offices in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Pasadena, California. Founded in 1980, the organization began its national grantmaking program in 1993. First Nations works to improve economic conditions for Native Americans through technical assistance and training, advocacy and policy, and direct financial grants.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$116.2M
+33.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.6M
-1.0% YoY
Grant Count
279
-7.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$52K
+6.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To uplift and sustain the lifeways and economies of Native communities through advocacy, financial support, and knowledge sharing. The organization envisions a world in which Tribal Sovereignty is upheld, and Native ingenuity and knowledge are honored and respected.
Core Belief: First Nations Development Institute believes that when armed with the appropriate resources, Native Peoples hold the capacity and ingenuity to ensure the sustainable, economic, spiritual and cultural well-being of their communities.
Primary Program Areas:
- Research and Advocacy for Native Economic Justice
- California Tribal Fund
- Stewarding Native Lands
- Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments
- Native Arts, Language, and Knowledge
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
First Nations funds primarily in California, Alaska, and New Mexico, with grantmaking reaching 46 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territory American Samoa, and Guam.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $116,192,648 (as of 2025)
Total Revenues: $56.4 million (2025)
Total Expenses: $30.2 million (2025)
Total Liabilities: $8.6 million (2025)
Staff: 61 employees (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $116,192,648 | $87,283,597 | $73,818,011 |
| Revenue | $56,357,235 | $36,918,534 | $23,683,824 |
| Expenses | $30,218,527 | $27,871,276 | $21,880,286 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,045,077 | $3,429,326 | $2,306,938 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from First Nations Development Institute
2026 Native Food Sovereignty Grant
FIRST NATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Amount
US $10,000 - US $40,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Advancing Tribal Conservation Easements Grant
FIRST NATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Growing Tribal Economies Through Forest Market Innovations Grant
FIRST NATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Amount
US $200,000 - US $500,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Changing Woman Initiative ($375,000), Bishop Paiute Tribe ($200,000), Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADVOCATES FOR INDIGENOUS CALIFORNI FRESNO, CA | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $60,000 |
| ADVOCATES FOR INDIGENOUS CALIFORNI FRESNO, CA | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $40,000 |
| AHA KUKUI O MOLOKAI HOOLEHUA, HI | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $60,000 |
| AHTNA INTERTRIBAL RESOURCE COMMISS GLENNALLEN, AK | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $60,000 |
| ALASKA NANNUT CO-MANAGEMENT COUNCI NOME, AK | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $10,000 |
| ALASKA VILLAGE INITIATIVES ANCHORAGE, AK | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $28,000 |
| ALEUT COMMUNITY OF ST PAUL ISLAND ST PAUL ISLAND, AK | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $25,000 |
| ALEUT COMMUNITY OF ST PAUL ISLAND ST PAUL ISLAND, AK | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN COUNCIL OF MARIPOS MARIPOSA, CA | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN RESOURCE CENTER IN TAHLEQUAH, OK | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Chair: Benny Shendo Jr.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BENNY SHENDO JR | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MARGUERITE SMITH | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| SUSAN JENKINS | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| SHYLA SHEPPARD | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| CHANDRA HAMPSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GELVIN STEVENSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| VAL SEQREST | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JAY CALHOUN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ELIZABETH REES | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL ROBERTS | PRESIDENT | 40 | $300,946 |
| THALIA MACK | FINANCE OFFI | 40 | $114,928 |
| JACQUELINE FRANCKE | COO | 40 | $180,386 |
| VENA BRIONES | POLICY RESEA | 40 | $139,731 |
| CATHERINE BRYAN | COMMUNICATIO | 40 | $149,029 |
| MARY ADELZADEH | SNL DIRECTOR | 40 | $118,969 |
| REBECCA TORTES | CA TRIBAL DI | 40 | $116,464 |
Contact Information
National Headquarters 2432 Main Street Longmont, CO 80501 Tel: 303.774.7836 Fax: 303.774.7841
New Mexico Office 8421 Osuna Road, N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87111 Tel: 505.312.8641
California Office 696 E. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 222 Pasadena, CA 91101 Tel: 303.774.7836
Email: info@firstnations.org Website: www.firstnations.org
Tax Information: EIN 54-1254491 | IRS Ruling Year: 1984
Frequently Asked Questions
What does First Nations Development Institute fund?
**Mission:** To uplift and sustain the lifeways and economies of Native communities through advocacy, financial support, and knowledge sharing. The organization envisions a world in which Tribal Sovereignty is upheld, and Native ingenuity and knowledge are honored and respected. **Core Belief:** First Nations Development Institute believes that when armed with the appropriate resources, Native Peoples hold the capacity and ingenuity to ensure the sustainable, economic, spiritual and cultural we…
How do I apply for a grant from First Nations Development Institute?
**Grant Volume & History:** Through year-end 2025, First Nations has successfully managed 4,405 grants totaling over $110.6 million to Native American projects and organizations in 46 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territory American Samoa, and Guam. **Typical Award Range:** $5,500–$750,000 **Active Grant Opportunities Include:** • 2026 Native Food Sovereignty Grant • Acorn Fund Grant • Advancing Tribal Conservation Easements Grant • Growing Tribal Economies Through Forest Market Innova…
Where does First Nations Development Institute make grants?
First Nations funds primarily in California, Alaska, and New Mexico, with grantmaking reaching 46 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territory American Samoa, and Guam.
What size grants does First Nations Development Institute award?
In 2025, First Nations Development Institute awarded 279 grants totaling $14.6M — an average of about $52K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is First Nations Development Institute's EIN?
First Nations Development Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1254491. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in First Nations Development Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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