National Congress of American Indians Fund
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is a Washington, DC–based public charity that advocates for Tribal Nations and American Indian and Alaska Native individuals and communities. Established in 1944, it describes its work as protecting tribal sovereignty and treaty rights, supporting Native communities, and advancing tribal priorities.
National Congress of American Indians Fund at a glance
- Total assets
- $11,637,859
- -20.5% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $13,169,834
- +45.1% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $44,133
- -57.0% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $12,211,613
- +19.9% vs 2023
- 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 National Congress of American Indians Fund
- Contact
Mailing address: 1516 P Street Nw, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 466-7767
Website: https://ncai.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who National Congress of American Indians Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
280 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 242 grants of 280 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Is National Congress of American Indians Fund open to new grantees?
51%
first-time grantees, 2021
In 2021, 40 of 79 grantees (51%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $30K; repeat grants $45K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2018–2021). 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 2018 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $42K (2023) to $3.6M (2020). In 2023 it reported $42K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians San Jacinto, CA | Tribal Victim Assistance Micro-Grant | $167,826 |
| Strong Hearted Native Women's Valley Center, CA | Tribal Victim Assistance Micro-Grant | $157,369 |
| Modoc Nation Miami, OK | Tribal Victim Assistance Micro-Grant | $155,394 |
| Pala Band of Mission Indians Pala, CA | Tribal Victim Assistance Micro-Grant | $144,914 |
| BGC Snohomish County Everett, WA | Diabetes Prevention in Native Youth | $122,873 |
| Penobscot Indian Nation Indian Island, ME | Tribal Victim Assistance Micro-Grant | $98,457 |
| BGC of Delaware County Jay, OK | Diabetes Prevention in Native Youth | $91,220 |
| BGC Adair County Schools Stilwell, OK | Diabetes Prevention in Native Youth | $89,305 |
| Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western Auberry, CA | Tribal Victim Assistance Micro-Grant | $87,352 |
| Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Chico, CA | Tribal Victim Assistance Micro-Grant | $86,770 |
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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 | $11,637,859 | $13,169,834 | $12,211,613 | — | — | $44,133 |
| 2023 | $14,640,346 | $9,076,259 | $10,188,135 | $41,500 | Total only | $102,541 |
| 2022 | $18,110,882 | $9,744,341 | $10,964,197 | $3,025,501 | Total only | $16,189 |
| 2021 | $22,096,750 | $10,230,979 | $11,765,633 | $2,969,489 | 81 | $8,487 |
| 2020 | $19,757,171 | $15,297,152 | $11,789,026 | $3,550,005 | 199 | $7,373 |
| 2018 | $16,347,968 | $6,365,364 | $8,088,374 | $2,101,223 | 51 | $1,843 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NCAI’s stated mission includes protecting and enhancing treaty and sovereign rights; securing traditional laws, cultures, and ways of life for descendants; promoting understanding of tribes’ place in the family of American governments; and improving the quality of life for Native communities and peoples.
Its policy work spans areas including appropriations and budgets, cultural protection, economic development, environmental sustainability, infrastructure and community development, land and natural resources, legal and governance issues, public safety and justice, and social resources. NCAI says its policy advocacy is directed by membership-adopted, consensus-based resolutions.
The organization reports programs that support tribes through direct awards, training, technical assistance, and services to improve and expand victims’ services and build capacity to respond to crime victims’ needs. It also reports general operating support for advancing its mission and support for institutional strengthening.
Examples of organizations receiving awards include the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, whose stated mission is to support Native American well-being, preserve tribal culture and heritage, and support tribal and community charitable and educational activities; and Strong Hearted Native Womens, whose stated mission is to address domestic violence and sexual assault affecting Native American women and families through awareness, education, training, technical assistance, and supportive services. The Boys & Girls Club of Chelsea described its mission as providing educational and personal development for the general public and preventing child abuse.
Grantmaking
The 2024 filing lists a grant count of zero; the filings for 2023 and 2022 also list zero grants. Separately, listed 2021 awards include $167,826 to the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, $157,369 to Strong Hearted Native Womens, and $41,364 to the Boys & Girls Club of Chelsea.
The NCAI Foundation says it offers grant funding through its Fortifying Tribal Nations program. No application process, materials, restrictions, deadline, or policy on unsolicited requests are stated.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Mark Macarro, President; Rian Weeden, Vice President; David Woerz, Treasurer; Nickolaus Lewis, Secretary; and Lawrence Wright, Executive Director. Other listed personnel include Jacob Olsufka, Chief Financial Officer; Geoffery Blackwell, Legislative Counsel; Gregory Masten, Foundation President; Jennifer Knickerbocker, Foundation Vice President; and Joshua Williams, Corporate Partnerships.
National Congress of American Indians Fund is led by Lawrence Wright, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 6 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lawrence Wright
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$290K (2024)
Gregory Masten
Foundation President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$330K (2024)
Mark Macarro
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacob Olsufka
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$194K (2024)
Geoffery Blackwell
Legislative Counsel
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$255K (2024)
Jennifer Knickerbocker
Foundation Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$152K (2024)
Joshua Williams
Corporate Partnerships
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$131K (2024)
David Woerz
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nickolaus Lewis
Secretary
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rian Weeden
Vice President
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Ryan Seelau (2022–2023) — Director of Policy
- Former: Darleene Lee (2023) — Director of Operations
- Former: Juana Majel-Dixon (2018–2022) — Outgoing Secretary
- Former: Yvette Roubideaux (2018–2022) — Director of Prc Policy
- Former: Fawn Sharp (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Shannon Holsey (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Colby Duren (2022) — Director of Prc Policy
- Former: Paul J. Beccio (2022) — Director of Prc Policy
- Former: Aaron Payment (2018–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Alicia Sylvester (2018–2021) — Director of Prc Policy
- Former: Jamie Gomez (2018–2021) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Clinton Lagesson (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Kevin Allis (2020–2021) — CEO
- Former: Nichole Vancliff (2020–2021) — Vice President Operations
- Former: Ian Record (2018) — Director & Partnership for Tribal Governance
- Former: Jacob Schellinger (2018) — Director of Gov. Affairs
- Former: Jacqueline Pata (2018) — Executive Director
- Former: Jefferson Keel (2018) — President
- Former: John Dossett (2018) — General Counsel
- Former: Kurt Sodee (2018) — Director of Finance
- Former: Virginia Davis (2018) — Seniror Advisor
- Former: W. Ron Allen (2018) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2024. "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 $330K, to Gregory Masten (Foundation President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about National Congress of American Indians Fund
How large is National Congress of American Indians Fund?
National Congress of American Indians Fund reported $11.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $13.2M.
What does National Congress of American Indians Fund fund?
NCAI’s stated mission includes protecting and enhancing treaty and sovereign rights; securing traditional laws, cultures, and ways of life for descendants; promoting understanding of tribes’ place in the family of American governments; and improving the quality of life for Native communities and peoples. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from National Congress of American Indians Fund?
National Congress of American Indians Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check ncai.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is National Congress of American Indians Fund's EIN?
National Congress of American Indians Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 53-6017907. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2024.
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
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS May 4, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 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 November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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