First Peoples Fund
First Peoples Fund is a public charity based in Rapid City, South Dakota. It honors and supports Native artists and culture bearers, and its work includes grants and awards, mentorship and training, community and youth programs, and research and initiatives.
First Peoples Fund at a glance
In short: First Peoples Fund gave $2.0M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $333K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,000,000
- +174.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- -66.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $333,333
- +721.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $16,057,786
- +20.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (90% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to First Peoples Fund
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 2977, Rapid City, SD 57709-2977
Phone: (605) 348-0324
Website: https://firstpeoplesfund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
17 open opportunities from First Peoples Fund
Artist in Business Leadership Fellowship
First Peoples Fund
Amount
US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Cultural Capital (CC) Fellowship Grant
First Peoples Fund
Amount
US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Cultural Capital Fellowship
First Peoples Fund
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who First Peoples Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Indian Land Tenure Foundation ($1.8M). Together the top 6 received $2.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 65 grants of 82 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The funder’s website describes opportunities for Native artists across the United States, including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian artists. In its 2024 filing, 90% of grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients; Oregon, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New Mexico each received 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How First Peoples Fund gives
- Giving grew 789% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $225K (2021) to $2.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Land Tenure Foundation Little Canada, MN | Designated Fund | $1,750,000 |
| Minnesota Indigenous Business Allia St. Paul, MN | NAEB 2024-004 | $50,000 |
| Warm Springs Community Action Team Warm Springs, OR | NAEB 2024-003 | $50,000 |
| Wisconsin Native Loan Fund Inc Lac Du Flambeau, WI | NAEB 2024-002 | $50,000 |
| Chi Ishbok Inc Dowagiac, MI | NAEB 2024-001 | $50,000 |
| Two Worlds Albuquerque, NM | NAEB 2024-005 | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16,057,786 | $9,154,077 | $7,059,129 | $2,000,000 | 6 | $208,258 |
| 2023 | $13,307,205 | $6,027,659 | $5,799,519 | $730,000 | 18 | $160,652 |
| 2022 | $10,337,595 | $4,047,749 | $4,589,637 | $470,000 | 26 | $-695,113 |
| 2021 | $11,478,942 | $11,058,456 | $3,329,515 | $225,000 | 12 | $65,152 |
| 2020 | $4,292,173 | $2,828,537 | $2,591,629 | $328,000 | 20 | $4,498 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to honor and support the collective spirit of First Peoples artists and culture bearers. Its stated focus includes helping Native communities heal and thrive through artists’ and culture bearers’ work.
Its programs include fellowships for artists, grants for individual artists and culture bearers facing hardship or pursuing professional opportunities, and cohort-based support for organizations working to strengthen Indigenous arts ecosystems. The organization describes its Native Arts Ecology Building grants as providing funding and technical assistance to community-based organizations, with a focus primarily on Native Community Development Financial Institutions.
Examples of supported organizations include the Indian Land Tenure Foundation, whose stated mission is to advance Indian ownership and management of lands within reservation boundaries and other areas of significance where tribes retain aboriginal interests. The Wisconsin Native Loan Fund says its mission is to increase the financial well-being of Wisconsin Native American families and communities. Chi Ishobak says it provides tribal citizens access to affordable capital for business loans and individual financial development through collaborative, education-oriented lending.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, First Peoples Fund reported six grants totaling $2,000,000. The median grant was $50,000; grants ranged from $50,000 to $1,750,000. The largest awards were $1,750,000 to the Indian Land Tenure Foundation and $50,000 each to the Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance, Warm Springs Community Action Team, Wisconsin Native Loan Fund, Chi Ishbok Inc, and Two Worlds. The filing lists the largest grant’s purpose as “Designated Fund” and the other grants’ purposes as NAEB entries.
The website describes several opportunities for individual artists and culture bearers. The Yéego Action Grant offers up to $2,500 for specified professional opportunities, emergencies, or other unexpected expenses affecting an artistic practice; it is not intended to fund new or existing artist projects. Its stated deadline is 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time on the 10th of each month. The Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award is by nomination only, and artists cannot nominate themselves; the stated award is $25,000 per recipient. The Artist in Business Leadership Fellowship is a yearlong program that includes training, technical assistance, and a $10,000 grant. The application period listed for its 2027 award year ran from June 3 to July 15, 2026, so that cycle has passed.
The Weaving Kinship Grant is described as supporting organizations First Peoples Fund has not previously partnered with and as including non-financial support alongside funding. Its program description does not provide further application details here.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Vickie Oldman and Kalima Rose as co-chairs; Alfred Bud Lane as vice-chair; Paul Lumley as secretary; and Carlton Turner as treasurer. It lists Maria Lopez De Leon, Shannon Martin, Terry Pechota, and Dallin Maybee as directors, and Lori Pourier as founder/president.
First Peoples Fund is led by Lori Pourier, Founder & President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 7 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lori Pourier
Founder & President
President → Founder & President, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$150K (2020) → $198K (2024)
Justin Huenemann
President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$165K (2023) → $197K (2024)
Jaren Bonillo
Program Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$106K (2024)
Terry Pechota
Director
Member → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Lopez De Leon
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dallin Maybee
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Martin
Director
Board Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alfred Lane III
Vice Chair
Member → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$750 (2020) → $1K (2024)
Carlton Turner
Treasurer
Board Member → Board Treasurer, 2023
Board Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$500 (2021) → $0 (2024)
Sonya Paul
Vice President & Advance
Vice President of Adv An → Vice President & Advance, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$130K (2022) → $140K (2024)
Lara Evans
Vice President & Programs
Vice President of Program → Vice President & Programs, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $133K (2024)
Tresha Moreland
Vice President & Operations
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$114K (2024)
Kalima Rose
Co-Chair
Member → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Lumley
Secretary
Board Secretary → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vickie Oldman
Co-Chair
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Ron Martinez Looking Elk (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: David Cournoyer (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Kelley Lindquist (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Loris Taylor (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Sherry Salway Black (2020–2022) — Board Chair
- Former: Bird Runningwater (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jody Naranjo Folwell-Turpia (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jody Noranjo Folwell (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Maria Deleon (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: N. Bird Runningwater (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Mary Bordeaux (2021) — Vice President of Operations & Programs
- Former: Sonya Gavin (2021) — Vice President of Advancement & Communications
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $198K, to Lori Pourier (Founder/Pres). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about First Peoples Fund
How much does First Peoples Fund give each year?
First Peoples Fund gave $2.0M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $730K across 18 grants.
What is First Peoples Fund's typical grant size?
First Peoples Fund's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $333,333, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does First Peoples Fund give grants?
First Peoples Fund gives mostly in Minnesota: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does First Peoples Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on First Peoples Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are First Peoples Fund's largest grantees?
First Peoples Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Indian Land Tenure Foundation ($1,750,000), Minnesota Indigenous Business Allia ($50,000) and Warm Springs Community Action Team ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is First Peoples Fund?
First Peoples Fund reported $16.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.2M.
What does First Peoples Fund fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to honor and support the collective spirit of First Peoples artists and culture bearers. Its stated focus includes helping Native communities heal and thrive through artists’ and culture bearers’ work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from First Peoples Fund?
First Peoples Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check firstpeoplesfund.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is First Peoples Fund's EIN?
First Peoples Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-0583682. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 2, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in First Peoples Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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