Indian Land Tenure Foundation
The Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF) is a national, community-based organization based in Little Canada, Minnesota, that serves American Indian nations and people in recovering and controlling their homelands. It makes grants to nonprofit organizations and tribal entities for work aligned with its mission and strategic areas that directly benefits Native people.
Indian Land Tenure Foundation at a glance
In short: Indian Land Tenure Foundation gave $1.5M across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $119K), mostly in New Mexico. 62% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,546,340
- +19.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- +160.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $118,949
- -53.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $81,250,968
- +7.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 62% first-time grantees (8 of 13, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New Mexico (74% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Indian Land Tenure Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Share a land-related project idea with ILTF. The Foundation says it will consider the idea and follow up if interested. Projects must directly benefit Native people and strengthen their relationship to their homelands. The website says it does not fund advocacy or lobbying to influence legislation, land purchases, endowments, direct funding to individuals, or most special events.
- Contact
Mailing address: 151 East County Road B2, Little Canada, MN 55117
Phone: (651) 766-8999
Website: https://iltf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Cultural Awareness Grants
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Economic Opportunity Grants
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Education Grants
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Indian Land Tenure Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Native Governance Center ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
73 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 65 grants of 73 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ILTF describes itself as a national organization serving American Indian nations and people. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were reported for New Mexico (74%) and Colorado (17%), followed by California and Washington (2% each) and Alabama (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Indian Land Tenure Foundation open to new grantees?
62%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 13 grantees (62%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $238K. How we count
Medians: $14K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $318K (2020) to $2.2M (2021). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Native Governance Center Minneapolis, NM | Education | $1,100,000 |
| Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Northglenn, CO | Education | $258,348 |
| Silver Bullet Productions Santa Fe, NM | Create Documentary | $35,000 |
| Redbud Resource Group Santa Rosa, CA | Case Studies on Land | $25,000 |
| Spokane Tribal Network Wellpinit, WA | Cultural Awareness Grant | $25,000 |
| Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama Haleyville, AL | River Cane Habitat Preservation | $15,000 |
| Chilchinbeto Chapter of the Navajo Nation Kayenta, AZ | Tribal Land Office Summer Internship | $15,000 |
| Kawerak Inc Nome, AR | Tribal Land Office Summer Internship | $15,000 |
| Morongo Band of Mission Indians Banning, CA | Education | $13,139 |
| Heart of Oregon Corps Bend, OR | Tribal Summer Internship | $13,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Indian Land Tenure Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $81,250,968 | $21,543,806 | $12,997,560 | $1,546,340 | 13 | $715,138 |
| 2023 | $75,713,795 | $17,376,454 | $11,119,855 | $1,289,248 | 5 | $470,865 |
| 2022 | $69,656,737 | $16,321,649 | $8,765,514 | $1,182,611 | 12 | $167,277 |
| 2021 | $51,797,177 | $10,949,190 | $5,265,110 | $2,238,778 | 25 | $479,174 |
| 2020 | $35,451,732 | $6,313,948 | $2,656,217 | $318,441 | 18 | $306,067 |
| 2019 | $23,807,205 | $2,025,871 | $4,405,927 | $1,608,290 | 34 | $277,381 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ILTF’s mission is for lands within the original boundaries of every reservation, and other significant areas where tribes retain aboriginal interest, to be in Indian ownership and management. Its four strategic areas are Education, Cultural Awareness, Economic Opportunity, and Legal Reform.
ILTF says it funds projects supporting the recovery and retention of Indian lands, including initiatives that help tribes develop plans to reacquire reservation lands and manage land and natural resources. Its website identifies advocacy and lobbying to influence legislation, land purchases, endowments, direct funding to individuals, and most special events as ineligible activities.
Among the 2024 grantees, Spokane Tribal Network described its mission as bringing resources to Spokane Tribal communities and collaborating to restore lives, families, cultural traditions, ecosystems, and hope. Redbud Resource Group said it helps organizations, institutions, and employers become valued partners with Native peoples and communities. Heart of Oregon Corps described its work as empowering youth and young adults through employment, training, education, and service in Central Oregon.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, ILTF reported 13 grants totaling $1,546,340. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $1,100,000, with a median of $15,000. The largest reported awards were $1,100,000 to Native Governance Center for education and $258,348 to Native American Fish and Wildlife Society for education. Other reported grants included $35,000 to Silver Bullet Productions for a documentary, $25,000 to Redbud Resource Group for land case studies, and $25,000 to Spokane Tribal Network for cultural awareness.
ILTF’s website invites organizations with a land-related project idea that benefits Native nations and people to share it; the Foundation says it will consider the idea and follow up if interested. The website also says it receives more requests than it can fund. The Economic Opportunity, Legal Reform, and Cultural Awareness grant programs are listed as active in the supplied program information. No application deadline is provided.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Russell Zephier as vice chair and Lea Zeise as secretary/treasurer. It lists Tobi Maracle, Samantha Skenandore, Randall Emm, Philomena Kebec, John Sirois, Gabe Sneezy, Electa Hare-Redcorn, and Amanda Montoya as board members.
Indian Land Tenure Foundation is led by Cris Stainbrook, President on every filing since 2019; 5 of 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cris Stainbrook
President
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$127K (2019) → $154K (2024)
Linnea Jackson
Board Chair
Board Member → Treasurer & Secretary, 2021
Treasurer & Secretary → Board Chair, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
D'arcy Bordeaux
Accountant & Hr Director
Accountant & Hr Director → Acc'tant & Hrd, 2021
Acc'tant & Hrd → Accountant & Hr Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$92K (2019) → $130K (2024)
Bryan Van Stippen
Nicc Director
Nicc Director → Program Director, 2022
Program Director → Nicc Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$103K (2021) → $128K (2024)
David Garelick
Development Officer
Corporate Relations Officer → Development Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$103K (2022) → $104K (2024)
Susan Waukon
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$112K (2024)
Lea Zeise
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Philomena Kebec
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randall Emm
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Russell Zephier
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samantha Skenandore
Board Member
Chair → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tobi Maracle
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Montoya
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gabe Sneezy
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Electa Hare-Redcorn
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Sirois
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Rjay Brunkow (2022–2023) — CEO of Ilcc
- Former: Hans-Dieter Klose (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Laura Harjo (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Grijalva (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Ron Brownotter (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Electa Hare- Redcorn (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Bryan Maracle (2019–2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jeannie Benally (2019) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Reginald Defoe (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Ross Racine (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $154K, to Cris Stainbrook (President). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Indian Land Tenure Foundation
How much does Indian Land Tenure Foundation give each year?
Indian Land Tenure Foundation gave $1.5M across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 5 grants.
What is Indian Land Tenure Foundation's typical grant size?
Indian Land Tenure Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $118,949, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Indian Land Tenure Foundation that year got $45K on average.
Where does Indian Land Tenure Foundation give grants?
Indian Land Tenure Foundation gives mostly in New Mexico: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Colorado (17%).
Does Indian Land Tenure Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Indian Land Tenure Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (5 grants) and "Tribal Land Office Summer Internship" (3 grants).
Who are Indian Land Tenure Foundation's largest grantees?
Indian Land Tenure Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Native Governance Center ($1,100,000), Native American Fish and Wildlife Society ($258,348) and Silver Bullet Productions ($35,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 90% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Indian Land Tenure Foundation?
Indian Land Tenure Foundation reported $81.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $21.5M.
What does Indian Land Tenure Foundation fund?
ILTF’s mission is for lands within the original boundaries of every reservation, and other significant areas where tribes retain aboriginal interest, to be in Indian ownership and management. Its four strategic areas are Education, Cultural Awareness, Economic Opportunity, and Legal Reform. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Indian Land Tenure Foundation?
Share a land-related project idea with ILTF. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Indian Land Tenure Foundation's EIN?
Indian Land Tenure Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-2014273. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work Indian Land Tenure Foundation funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Indian Land Tenure Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Indian Land Tenure Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/indian-land-tenure-foundation-morg_4c3254a1b3ce45dab2d0dd9552453105
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_412014273_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Indian Land Tenure Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/indian-land-tenure-foundation-morg_4c3254a1b3ce45dab2d0dd9552453105},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Indian Land Tenure Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Indian Land Tenure Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?