Naca-Inspired Schools Network
NACA-Inspired Schools Network (NISN) is a public charity based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It supports leaders and communities developing Indigenous schools that combine academic preparation with cultural relevance, identity development, holistic wellness, and community involvement.
Naca-Inspired Schools Network at a glance
In short: Naca-Inspired Schools Network gave $969K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $57K), mostly in New Mexico. 35% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $969,000
- +58.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- +30.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $57,000
- +21.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $6,260,621
- -42.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (6 of 17, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New Mexico (86% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Naca-Inspired Schools Network
- Contact
Mailing address: 924 Park Ave Sw Suite C, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 331-9450
Website: https://nacainspiredschoolsnetwork.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Naca-Inspired Schools Network funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Semilla Project ($750K). Together the top 10 received $899K.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 45 grants of 61 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NISN is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in New Mexico (86%), South Dakota (7%), Minnesota (3%), North Dakota (2%), and California (1%). These figures describe the locations of reported recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Naca-Inspired Schools Network open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 17 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $133K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $13K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $470K (2021) to $1.0M (2023). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $969K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Semilla Project Albuquerque, NM | Educational Purposes | $750,000 |
| Endazhi Nitaawiging Red Lake, MN | Educational Purposes | $25,000 |
| Oceti Sakowin Academy Rapid City, SD | Educational Purposes | $25,000 |
| Wakanyeja Tokeyahci Wounspe Tipi Mission, SD | Educational Purposes | $25,000 |
| Native American Community Academy Albuquerque, NM | Educational Purposes | $16,000 |
| Saad K'idilye' Language Nest Albuquerque, NM | Educational Purposes | $15,000 |
| Six Directions Indigenous School Gallup, NM | Educational Purposes | $13,000 |
| Cinnamon CUNY Pine Ridge, SD | Educational Purposes | $10,000 |
| Deap School Navajo, NM | Educational Purposes | $10,000 |
| Dream Dine Charter School Shiprock, NM | Educational Purposes | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Naca-Inspired Schools Network?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,260,621 | $3,820,329 | $8,700,977 | $969,000 | 17 | $12,393 |
| 2024 | $10,894,871 | $9,324,771 | $6,920,425 | $610,544 | 13 | $33,153 |
| 2023 | $8,215,976 | $8,369,771 | $5,992,852 | $1,042,459 | 11 | $3,738 |
| 2022 | $5,372,545 | $5,830,984 | $4,996,732 | $757,984 | 13 | $1,339 |
| 2021 | $4,333,179 | $4,644,398 | $4,805,507 | $470,095 | 7 | $2,044 |
| 2020 | $4,833,076 | $3,897,752 | $4,466,427 | $804,428 | 17 | $4,428 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NISN states that its mission is to transform Indigenous education by engaging communities, building a network of schools focused on academic excellence and cultural relevance, and serving Indigenous students from early learning to adulthood so they can be secure in their identity, healthy, and prepared as lifelong learners and community leaders.
The organization says it supports community-centered charter-school growth and culturally relevant education for Indigenous students in the United States, including training and supporting educators. Its website describes community-led school design, academic preparation, cultural identity, holistic wellness, and ongoing community-informed improvement as central elements of its model. Its School Design Fellowship is a three-year paid program for developing pre-K–12 Indigenous schools, with NISN-paid fellow salaries; this is a fellowship program, not a grant program for outside applicants.
Among its 2025 grantees, The Semilla Project describes its mission as preparing emerging leaders to develop practical community solutions related to climate justice and racial and justice equity. The Native American Community Academy Foundation says it raises and stewards funds for the infrastructure, programs, services, and educational advancement of the Native American Community Academy and NISN. Mni Wichoni Health Circle describes its work as promoting holistic community wellness by uplifting Indigenous ancestral knowledge and integrating contemporary practices.
Grantmaking
In 2025, NISN reported 17 grants totaling $969,000. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $750,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest reported grants included $750,000 to The Semilla Project in Albuquerque, New Mexico; $25,000 each to Endazhi Nitaawiging in Red Lake, Minnesota, Oceti Sakowin Academy in Rapid City, South Dakota, and Wakanyeja Tokeyahci Wounspe Tipi in Mission, South Dakota; and $16,000 to Native American Community Academy in Albuquerque.
Other reported grants included $15,000 to Saad K'idilye' Language Nest, $13,000 to Six Directions Indigenous School, and $10,000 each to Cinnamon Cuny, DEAP School, Dream Dine Charter School, Generations Indigenous Ways, and Kha'p'o Community School.
The website describes fellowships and school-development support but does not provide a process, materials, restrictions, or deadline for outside grant applicants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kristin Ksiazek as board chair. Listed members are Carly Bad Heart Bull, Kara Bobroff, Ian Esquibel, George Mu, and Shante Jensen. The filing also lists Anpao Duta Flying Earth as “Executive Di,” Alan Lee Brauer and Azella Humetewa as “Senior Direc,” and Valerie Kie as “Current E.D.”
Naca-Inspired Schools Network is led by Valerie Kie, Current Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2024); 5 of 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Valerie Kie
Current Executive Director
Senior Director → Current Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$106K (2024) → $109K (2025)
Kristin Ksiazek
Board Chair
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Krause
Senior Director
Curriculum D → Senior Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$103K (2024) → $105K (2025)
Alan Lee Brauer
Senior Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$114K (2025)
Azella Humetewa
Senior Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$106K (2025)
Anpao Duta Flying Earth
Executive Di
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$28K (2020) → $115K (2025)
Ian Esquibel
Member
Board Chair → Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kara Bobroff
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Mu
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carly Bad Heart Bull
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shante Jensen
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Jason Packineau (2020–2023) — Board Chair
- Former: Kricky Ksiazek (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Tracey Cordero (2021–2023) — Member
- Former: Kayne Whyte (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Dinee Dorame (2021–2022) — Member
- Former: Chrissie Castro (2020) — Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $115K, to Anpao Duta Flying Earth (Executive Di). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Naca-Inspired Schools Network
How much does Naca-Inspired Schools Network give each year?
Naca-Inspired Schools Network gave $969K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $611K across 13 grants.
What is Naca-Inspired Schools Network's typical grant size?
Naca-Inspired Schools Network's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $57,000, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Naca-Inspired Schools Network that year got $133K on average.
Where does Naca-Inspired Schools Network give grants?
Naca-Inspired Schools Network gives mostly in New Mexico: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was South Dakota (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Albuquerque, NM (3 grants).
Does Naca-Inspired Schools Network give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Naca-Inspired Schools Network's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational Purposes" (17 grants).
Who are Naca-Inspired Schools Network's largest grantees?
Naca-Inspired Schools Network's largest 2025 grantees include The Semilla Project ($750,000), Endazhi Nitaawiging ($25,000) and Oceti Sakowin Academy ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Naca-Inspired Schools Network?
Naca-Inspired Schools Network reported $6.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.8M.
What does Naca-Inspired Schools Network fund?
NISN states that its mission is to transform Indigenous education by engaging communities, building a network of schools focused on academic excellence and cultural relevance, and serving Indigenous students from early learning to adulthood so they can be secure in their identity, healthy, and prepared as lifelong learners and community leaders. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Naca-Inspired Schools Network?
Naca-Inspired Schools Network has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check nacainspiredschoolsnetwork.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Naca-Inspired Schools Network's EIN?
Naca-Inspired Schools Network's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2981893. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 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 January 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
Live grants for the work Naca-Inspired Schools Network funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Creative Impact Grants $500 - $2,500 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Naca-Inspired Schools Network's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Naca-Inspired Schools Network funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/naca-inspired-schools-network-morg_d011189f57fa4b26a6d6074f5034c8a5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_472981893_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Naca-Inspired Schools Network funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/naca-inspired-schools-network-morg_d011189f57fa4b26a6d6074f5034c8a5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Naca-Inspired Schools Network'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.
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