National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc logo

National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Lame Deer, MT EIN: 27-4971660 Website

The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) is a Native-led nonprofit based in Lame Deer, Montana. It provides national leadership, technical assistance, training, resources, and policy development to support safety for Native women, children, and communities and to strengthen Tribal sovereignty. Its IRS filing identifies it as a public charity.

Key facts about National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc

In short: National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc gave $2.7M across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $107K), top state South Dakota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
27-4971660
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$2,680,791
Grants made (2025)
25
Average grant
$107,232
Median grant
$49,381
Total assets
$12,614,435
Primary geography
South Dakota (23% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$12.6M

+12.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$2.7M

+49.7% YoY

Grant Count

25

Avg Grant Size

$107K

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

NIWRC’s stated mission is to promote safety for Native women and communities by supporting culturally grounded grassroots advocacy. Its work includes supporting Tribal Nations, programs, advocates, and survivors addressing domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual violence, missing and murdered Indigenous women, stalking, sex trafficking, and related prevention and response efforts.

Its 2025 grants show support for organizations with varied services and approaches. For example, Women of Nations describes its work as providing culturally specific emergency services and support to people affected by domestic violence and sexual assault, alongside education and prevention. Mother Nation describes offering culturally informed healing, advocacy, mentorship, and homelessness prevention for Native and Indigenous women. The Tribal Law and Policy Institute describes providing publications, training, and technical assistance to Native nations and Tribal justice systems.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, NIWRC reported 25 grants totaling **$2,680,791**. Grant amounts ranged from **$5,450 to $360,136**, with a median of **$49,381**. The largest listed awards were:

Review Cycle

, and technical assistance is available during the application process. The active RFP listed on the website is for a contractor to plan Phase 1 of the 2027 Women Are Sacred Conference; it is an event-planning opportunity, not a grant award.

How to Apply

. The active RFP listed on the website is for a contractor to plan Phase 1 of the 2027 Women Are Sacred Conference; it is an event-planning opportunity, not a grant award.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

NIWRC is based in Montana. Its 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest reported shares were South Dakota (23%), California (19%), Minnesota (12%), Utah (11%), and Wisconsin (8%).

Grant Distribution by State

13states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.

Cities

AlbuquerqueDenverSaint PaulBlandingDuluthEurekaFort ThompsonGreat FallsGreshamHelenaLapwaiOmahaRapid CitySacoSanta FeSeattleShiprockSissetonUpper LakeValley Center

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M0 grants2019 0 grants2020 0 grants2021 0 grants2022 0 grants2023 Total only2024 25 grants2025

From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.8M (2024) to $2.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $2.7M.

Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Strong Hearted Native Women's Coalition Inc: $360KStrong Hearted Native Women'sCoalition Inc$360KUtah Navajo Health Systems Inc: $288KUtah Navajo Health Systems Inc$288KWac'ang'a: $231KWac'ang'a$231KWomen of Nations: $221KWomen of Nations$221KWaking Women Healing Institute: $213KWaking Women Healing Institute$213KWiconi Wawakiya Inc: $210KWiconi Wawakiya Inc$210KWhere All Women Are Honored: $186KWhere All Women Are Honored$186KMother Nation: $184KMother Nation$184KGray Oak LLC: $170KGray Oak LLC$170KMinnesota Indian Women Sexual Assault Coalition: $95KMinnesota Indian Women SexualAssault Coalition$95K

The largest 2025 recipient was Strong Hearted Native Women's Coalition Inc ($360K). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.

Grant Size Distribution

25 grants across all recorded years

13<$50K3$50–100K7$100–250K2$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 25 (52%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Strong Hearted Native Women's Coalition Inc Valley Center, CAGeneral Support$360,136
Utah Navajo Health Systems Inc Blanding, UTGeneral Support$288,166
Wac'ang'a Sisseton, SDGeneral Support$230,560
Women of Nations Saint Paul, MNGeneral Support$221,450
Waking Women Healing Institute Gresham, WIGeneral Support$212,798
Wiconi Wawakiya Inc Fort Thompson, SDGeneral Support$209,827
Where All Women Are Honored Rapid City, SDGeneral Support$186,171
Mother Nation Seattle, WAGeneral Support$183,633
Gray Oak LLC Saco, MEGeneral Support$170,102
Minnesota Indian Women Sexual Assault Coalition St. Paul, MNGeneral Support$94,795

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants reported
2025 $12,614,435 $8,324,187 $7,299,068 $2,680,791 across 25 grants
2024 $11,240,324 $7,019,964 $5,838,476 0 grants
2023 $9,842,527 $6,025,934 $4,671,715 0 grants
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$2.5M$5M$7.5M$10M2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$12,614,435$11,240,324$9,842,527
Revenue$8,324,187$7,019,964$6,025,934
Expenses$7,299,068$5,838,476$4,671,715
Net Investment Income$449,004$1,094,937$107,561

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 4, 2026)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 25, 2025)

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Lucy Simpson as chief executive officer; Kerri Colfer as director of policy and research; Lora Helman as chief financial officer; and Tang Cheam as director of information technology and operations. The listed board officers are Jacqueline Tai Simpson, chair; Carmen O’Leary, vice chair; Leanne Guy, secretary; and Brandi Liberty, treasurer. Randi Barreiro and Linda Thompson are also listed as directors.

National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc is led by Lucy Simpson, Chief Executive Officer since 2025 (on filings since 2019); 4 of 10 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Lucy Simpson

    Chief Executive Officer

    Executive Director → Chief Executive Officer, 2025

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $112K (2019) → $175K (2025)

  • Jacqueline Tai Simpson

    Chair

    New on the 2025 filing

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kerri Colfer

    Director of Policy & Research

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $122K (2025)

  • Tang Cheam

    Director of Information Technology & Operations

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $106K (2025)

  • Randi Barreiro

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Linda Thompson

    Director

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lora Helman

    Chief Financial Officer

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $121K (2025)

  • Carmen O'Leary

    Vice Chair

    Vice Chair → Interim Chair, 2022

    Interim Chair → Vice Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Leanne Guy

    Secretary

    On filings since 2019

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brandi Liberty

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2024

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (6)
  • Former: tai simpson (2024) — Chair
  • Former: Wanette Lee (2019–2023) — Director
  • Former: Wendy Schlater (2019–2023) — Treasurer
  • Former: Cherrah Ridge-Giles (2019–2021) — Board Chair
  • Former: Deborah Parker (2019–2021) — Director
  • Former: Lenora Hootch (2019–2020) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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

Lucy Simpson — Chief Executive Officer: $175KLucy SimpsonChief Executive Officer$175KKerri Colfer — Director of Policy and Research: $122KKerri ColferDirector of Policy and Research$122KLora Helman — Chief Financial Officer: $121KLora HelmanChief Financial Officer$121KTang Cheam — Director of Information Technology and Operations: $106KTang CheamDirector of Information…$106K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $175K, to Lucy Simpson (Chief Executive Officer). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Contact

Mailing address: 12 Bow Strings St, Lame Deer, MT 59043
Phone: (406) 477-3896
Website: https://niwrc.org

Frequently asked questions about National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc

How much does National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc give each year?

National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc gave $2.7M across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it reported $1.8M in grants paid.

What is National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc's typical grant size?

National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc's median grant in 2025 was $49,381, and its average grant was $107,232, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc give grants?

National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc's top state is South Dakota, with 23% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (19%) and Minnesota (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Saint Paul, MN (2 grants), Denver, CO (2 grants) and Albuquerque, NM (2 grants).

Does National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (25 of 25) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Who are National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc's largest grantees?

National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Strong Hearted Native Women's Coalition Inc ($360,136), Utah Navajo Health Systems Inc ($288,166) and Wac'ang'a ($230,560), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc?

National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc reported $12.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.3M.

What does National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc fund?

NIWRC’s stated mission is to promote safety for Native women and communities by supporting culturally grounded grassroots advocacy. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc?

National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check niwrc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc's EIN?

National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-4971660. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

The Notah Begay III Foundation Inc

Santa Ana Pueblo, NM

The Notah Begay III Foundation's (nb3f) mission is to ensure native children achieve their full potential by advancing cultures of native American community health.

Assets

$15.5M

Grants

1

Total Given

$75K

National Council of Urban Indian Health

Washington, DC

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is a national 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally competent health services for American indians and Alaska natives (ai/ans) living in urban settings.

Human Services

Assets

$4.1M

Grants

9

Total Given

$184K

NDN Collective Inc

Rapid City, SD

NDN Collective funds Indigenous-led organizations, Tribes, groups, projects, and individuals working on self-determination, justice, and equity, including land and water protection, food systems, language and cultural revitalization, and frontline organizing. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $50,000 and ranged from $5,600 to $1 million; the 2025 Community Self-Determination process was not open to new applicants and was limited to current or former grantee-partners.

Assets

$49.7M

Grants

72

Total Given

$10.3M

Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health

Rapid City, SD

Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health funds tribal health programs, including community and behavioral health, recovery, prevention, and health education, in the Great Plains. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $156,226, with a median of $60,952, and went to organizations in South Dakota, Nebraska, and North Dakota; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Mental Health & Crisis Intervention

Assets

$264.6M

Grants

12

Total Given

$772K

Seva Foundation

Berkeley, CA

Seva Foundation funds sustainable eye-care programs, including vision centers, children’s eye care, provider training, technology, and efforts to prevent or treat avoidable blindness. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $343,058, with a median of $48,500, supporting work in the United States and internationally. It invited applications through its 2025 Innovation Challenge, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests outside that past program.

Assets

$31.5M

Grants

16

Total Given

$1.1M

First Nations Development Institute

Longmont, CO

First Nations Development Institute funds tribes, Native nonprofits, and Native individuals working in areas such as Native foods and health, youth, financial empowerment, community institutions, and Native lands. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $750,000, with a median of $50,000, supporting Native communities across 46 states, Washington, D.C., American Samoa, and Guam; it does not accept unsolicited requests and accepts applications only through Requests for Proposals.

Assets

$116.2M

Grants

279

Total Given

$14.6M

Otto Bremer Trust

St. Paul, MN

The Otto Bremer Trust funds organizations and projects addressing community needs and opportunities, including health care and social services, in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. In 2025, grants ranged from $3,500 to $4.2 million, with a median of $150,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests or direct grant applications; Community Responsive Fund grants are offered through selected intermediaries.

Assets

$1.4B

Grants

180

Total Given

$57.2M

Williams-Malone Foundation Inc

Omaha, NE

The Williams-Malone Foundation supports charitable organizations across varied areas, with recent grants concentrated in Colorado, Montana, and California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $60,000, with a median of $15,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$11.2M

Grants

31

Total Given

$620K

New Mexico Community Foundation

Santa Fe, NM

The New Mexico Community Foundation funds New Mexico communities through grants addressing areas such as education, rural development, Indigenous-led work, the environment, health, arts, and family well-being. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,500 to $265,000, with a median of $30,000; the information provided does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$60.8M

Grants

63

Total Given

$3.0M

Ch Robinson Worldwide Foundation

Sioux Falls, SD

The C.H. Robinson Worldwide Foundation funds community needs, economic opportunity, supply-chain and logistics initiatives, and environmental sustainability, with Twin Cities grants also supporting hunger, shelter, K–12 education, and workforce development in Minneapolis–St. Paul. In 2024, grants ranged from $750 to $2.69 million, with a median of $5,000. Strategic Industry grants are invitation-only; Twin Cities organizations can apply online, and no general policy on unsolicited requests is stated.

Education

Assets

$18.2M

Grants

87

Total Given

$4.0M

Women's Foundation of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota funds community-led work advancing gender and racial justice, including safety, leadership, well-being and reproductive justice, and economic justice, primarily across Minnesota. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,250 to $340,000, with a median of $20,375; several programs are invitation-only, and the profile does not describe a general unsolicited application process.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$39.4M

Grants

90

Total Given

$3.9M

Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples Inc

Eureka, CA

Seventh Generation Fund supports grassroots Indigenous initiatives focused on cultural revitalization, community well-being, sovereignty, and land, water, and climate protection. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $50,000, with a median of $35,000, and supported communities across multiple states; one rapid-response program serves Indigenous communities worldwide. It is not currently accepting grant proposals, though it lists some programs as open.

Human Services

Assets

$31.7M

Grants

145

Total Given

$5.2M

More Funders in Montana

National Indigenous Womens Resource Center Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?