Na'ah Illahee Fund
Na'ah Illahee Fund is an Indigenous women-led nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, functioning as an intermediary that centers on regranting, advocacy, and capacity-building. The organization serves as a bridge builder, facilitator, and resource partner working to catalyze a movement toward positive futures for Indigenous communities. Founded in 2005-2006, the organization employs 13 staff members and operates across the Northwest region of Turtle Island, encompassing areas from the Arctic to the Rockies.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.4M
+79.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$940K
+13.8% YoY
Grant Count
32
-11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+28.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization's mission is to support and promote the leadership of Indigenous women and girls in the ongoing regeneration of Indigenous communities. Na'ah Illahee Fund is committed to remembering and revitalizing traditional values and practices rooted in Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
The organization addresses a critical gap in philanthropic funding: Native Americans and Alaskan Natives receive a disproportionately small amount of total philanthropic funds (less than 0.4%). Additionally, approximately 75% of Indigenous peoples live away from their home and tribal communities, lacking access to resources and support.
Primary focus areas include:
- Grantmaking — Strategically investing directly into Indigenous communities and upholding people already doing good work through participatory approaches that center Indigenous knowledge systems
- Indigenous Leadership — Supporting emerging leaders through education, skill sharing, strengths and asset mapping, strategic planning, networking, and resourcing
- Community-Based Programming — Including the Ya-howt program (environmental education and resources for emerging leaders) and Gen-7 program (out-of-school classes in cultural teachings, art, indigenous languages, and STEM education)
- Fiscal Sponsorship — Supporting Native community projects and organizations aligned with the fund's mission
Grantmaking
Na'ah Illahee Fund administers multiple grant cycles and programs:
Review Cycle
and programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization funds primarily in Washington, Alaska, and Wyoming, with a broader scope of impact including urban, rural, island, and reservation-based Indigenous communities across the Northwest region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total Assets: $4,380,872
- Total Revenues: $4,634,266
- Total Expenses: $3,041,788
- Total Giving: $1,192,212
- Program Expense Ratio: 84.37%
Previous Year (2023):
- Total Assets: $2,435,450
- Total Revenues: $3,070,954
- Total Expenses: $3,763,605
The organization maintains a high program expense ratio, demonstrating that the majority of funds support direct programming and grantmaking activities. The organization holds 501(c)(3) public charity status under Section 509(a)(2), with IRS ruling date of June 2007.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,380,872 | $2,435,450 | $2,675,848 |
| Revenue | $4,634,266 | $3,070,954 | $3,007,205 |
| Expenses | $3,041,788 | $3,763,605 | $3,632,703 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,261 | $4,073 | $2,520 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
167 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Na'ah Illahee Fund
Food Sovereignty Fund
Na'ah Illahee Fund
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Green Infrastructure Capacity Building Grant
Na'ah Illahee Fund
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Indigenous Lifeways Fund
Na'ah Illahee Fund
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Native Family Learning Lodge ($359,257), Indigenous Just Transition ($50,000), Indigenous Creatives Collective ($42,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Youth Nation Project Cheyenne, WY | Indigenous lifeways | $10,000 |
| Center for Populat Research Education and Policy Fort Washakie, WY | Indigenous lifeways | $24,400 |
| Chief Leschi Schools Puyallup, WA | HEAL | $20,000 |
| Coast Salish Youth Coalition Anacortes, WA | HEAL | $22,500 |
| Coeur d'Alene Tribe Plummer, ID | Indigenous lifeways | $10,000 |
| Community Development Initiative Spokane, WA | HEAL | $20,000 |
| Community Traditions Snoqualmie, WA | HEAL | $20,000 |
| Duwamish Tribal Services Seattle, WA | HEAL | $25,000 |
| Future Generations Collaborative Portland, OR | Discretionary | $11,968 |
| Haa Tooch Licheesh Juneau, AK | Indigenous lifeways | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key executives include:
- Lisa Fruichantie — Executive Director
- Susan Balbas — Principal Officer
- Bridget Ray — Director of Strategic Partnerships
- Kate Riley — Development Director
- Yirede Valencia Martinez — General Operations Coordinator
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridget Ray | President | 1 | — |
| Brooke Pinkham | Director | 1 | — |
| Bernadette Zambrano | Director | 1 | — |
| Tim Lehman | Treasurer | 1 | $600 |
| Charlotte Cote | Director | 1 | — |
| Kimberly Deriana | Director | 1 | $600 |
| Laura John | Director | 1 | — |
| Susan Balbas | Executive Director | 40 | $224,186 |
| Shannon Caleffe | Finance Director | 40 | $132,884 |
Contact Information
- Website: naahillahee.org
- Phone: 206-659-5860
- Address: 1620 18th Ave Ste 101, Seattle, WA 98122-7007
- EIN: 05-0630992
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Na'ah Illahee Fund fund?
The organization's mission is to support and promote the leadership of Indigenous women and girls in the ongoing regeneration of Indigenous communities. Na'ah Illahee Fund is committed to remembering and revitalizing traditional values and practices rooted in Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. The organization addresses a critical gap in philanthropic funding: Native Americans and Alaskan Natives receive a disproportionately small amount of total philanthropic fund…
How do I apply for a grant from Na'ah Illahee Fund?
Na'ah Illahee Fund administers multiple grant cycles and programs: **Grant Programs:** • **Power of Ceremony & Healing Grant** — Enables Tribes, cultural leaders, and families to sustain and revitalize traditional ceremonial practices by supporting seasonal and place-based cultural gatherings, spiritual practices, and intergenerational teachings • **Indigenous Lifeways Fund** — Invests in preserving and sharing cultural practices including traditional foods, plant medicines, fishing, basketry, …
Where does Na'ah Illahee Fund make grants?
The organization funds primarily in Washington, Alaska, and Wyoming, with a broader scope of impact including urban, rural, island, and reservation-based Indigenous communities across the Northwest region.
What size grants does Na'ah Illahee Fund award?
In 2024, Na'ah Illahee Fund awarded 32 grants totaling $940K — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Na'ah Illahee Fund's EIN?
Na'ah Illahee Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 05-0630992. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Na'ah Illahee Fund'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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