Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc is a Portland, Oregon-based public charity that supports Native arts, culture, artists, and communities. Its work focuses on advancing equity and cultural knowledge through arts and collaboration with American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples in the United States.
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc gave $287K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $29K), top state New Mexico. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $287,000
- +1.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- -16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $28,700
- +21.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $18,119,168
- -14.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New Mexico (20% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 800 Se 10Th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: (503) 388-3443
Website: https://nativeartsandcultures.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc
Who Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was New Expressive Works ($50K). Together the top 10 received $287K.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 23 grants of 43 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s mission refers to American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples in the United States. In filing year 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest reported shares were New Mexico (20%), Oregon (17%), California (17%), New York (16%), and Alaska (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $17K (2022) to $1.1M (2021). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $287K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Expressive Works Portland, OR | Shift Awardee | $50,000 |
| New Mexico Community Capital Albuquerque, NM | Shift Awardee | $50,000 |
| Ninth Island Documentary LLC Los Angeles, CA | Shift Awardee | $50,000 |
| Takshanuk Watershed Council Haines, AK | Shift Awardee | $25,000 |
| Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services Honululu, HI | Shift Awardee | $25,000 |
| Ephemera LLC Omaha, NE | Shift Awardee | $25,000 |
| Forge Project Association Ancram, NY | Shift Awardee | $25,000 |
| Te Ao Mana Inc New York, NY | Shift Awardee | $20,000 |
| The Chinati Foundation Marfa, TX | Founders Fund | $9,500 |
| Southwestern Association for Indian Arts Sante Fe, NM | Founders Fund | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $18,119,168 | $1,690,754 | $3,220,311 | $287,000 | 10 | $667,762 |
| 2023 | $21,088,791 | $1,432,711 | $2,778,567 | $283,000 | 12 | $606,144 |
| 2022 | $21,825,941 | $3,197,604 | $2,821,595 | $16,750 | 1 | $287,511 |
| 2021 | $23,796,396 | $14,906,833 | $3,775,580 | $1,074,000 | 18 | $761,124 |
| 2020 | $11,712,010 | $1,807,588 | $2,085,072 | $43,000 | 2 | $571,765 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to advance equity and cultural knowledge, using arts and collaboration to strengthen Native communities and promote positive social change with American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples in the United States.
Its SHIFT program supports Native artists, curators, and artist collectives creating community-driven projects with partner organizations to address social-change issues. The foundation describes SHIFT as multi-year support that includes professional development, project evaluation, documentation, and marketing. Its LIFT program supports emerging Native artists with one-year awards and services intended to help them develop new work and advance their careers. The foundation also reports continuing small awards for Native artists, culture bearers, and organizations presenting exhibitions, events, gatherings, conferences, and other community or public-facing programs.
The 2024 grantees illustrate a range of partner organizations. New Expressive Works describes its work as providing studio space for multicultural, multi-genre, and multidisciplinary independent performing artists. New Mexico Community Capital says it provides culturally appropriate tools, classes, and mentorship for Native American-owned businesses, Native families, and tribal enterprises. Forge Project Association describes its mandate as advancing Indigenous leadership in arts and culture. Takshanuk Watershed Council says its mission is stewardship of the greater Chilkat watershed.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $287,000. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $50,000, with a median of $25,000. Eight listed awards were identified as SHIFT awards and two as Founders Fund awards.
Notable 2024 grants included $50,000 each to New Expressive Works in Portland, New Mexico Community Capital in Albuquerque, and Ninth Island Documentary LLC in Los Angeles; $25,000 each to Takshanuk Watershed Council in Haines, Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services in Honolulu, Ephemera LLC in Omaha, and Forge Project Association in Ancram; and $20,000 to Te Ao Mana Inc in New York. The two Founders Fund grants were $9,500 to the Chinati Foundation in Marfa and $7,500 to Southwestern Association for Indian Arts in Santa Fe.
The foundation’s website describes SHIFT as providing two-year awards totaling $100,000, alongside program services. Its LIFT program offers one-year awards of $15,000 to individual emerging Native artists, with professional development and other support. The 2026 LIFT application deadline was March 19, 2026, a past deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Valorie Johnson as vice chair, Raymond Foxworth as treasurer, and Nadia Sethi as secretary. It lists Kamani Kuala'au, Elise Paschen, Camilla Rockefeller, Rob Sassor, Sr Tommie, Charlene Teters, and Brian D Vallo as members.
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc is led by Shyla Spicer, President & CEO on every filing since 2023; 4 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Shyla Spicer
President & CEO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$15K (2023) → $179K (2024)
Betsy Richards
Chair
Member → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Washington
Director of Finance
Employee → Director of Finance, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$104K (2022) → $120K (2024)
Andrea Hanley
Director of Programming
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$112K (2024)
Gabriella Tagliocozzo
Chief Operating Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024)
Camilla Rockefeller
Member
Director → Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elise Paschen
Member
Director → Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kamani Kuala'au
Member
Director → Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raymond Foxworth
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Sassor
Member
Director → Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Valorie Johnson
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nadia Sethi
Secretary
Member → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sr Tommie
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian D. Vallo
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlene Teters
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
America Meredith
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Walsh
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mona Abadir
Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Joy Harjo-Sapulpa (2021–2023) — Chair
- Former: T. Lulani Arquette (2021–2023) — President
- Former: Katherine Hilton (2023) — Director of Development
- Former: Adrian Wall (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Brenda Pipestem (2021–2022) — Member
- Former: Barbara Mumby (2022) — Employee
- Former: Reuben Roqueni (2022) — Employee
- Former: Joy Harjo (2020) — Chair
- Former: Nadia Sehti (2020) — Director
- Former: Rupert Ayton (2020) — Vice President & Senior Advisor
- Former: S R Tommie (2020) — Director
- Former: Tara Lulani Arquette (2020) — President & CEO
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $179K, to Shyla Spicer (President & CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc
How much does Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc give each year?
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc gave $287K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $283K across 12 grants.
What is Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $28,700, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc give grants?
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc's top state is New Mexico, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Oregon (17%) and California (17%).
Does Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Shift Awardee" (8 grants).
Who are Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include New Expressive Works ($50,000), New Mexico Community Capital ($50,000) and Ninth Island Documentary LLC ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc?
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc reported $18.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.7M.
What does Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to advance equity and cultural knowledge, using arts and collaboration to strengthen Native communities and promote positive social change with American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native peoples in the United States. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc?
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check nativeartsandcultures.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc's EIN?
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1595870. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 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 May 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/native-arts-and-cultures-foundation-inc-morg_cc22cf2c94ff41139bf3afef546c6fe5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_261595870_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/native-arts-and-cultures-foundation-inc-morg_cc22cf2c94ff41139bf3afef546c6fe5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Inc'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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