Sovereign Equity Fund
To advance Native food security to strengthen Tribal sovereignty through advancements in agricultural infrastructure by utilizing transformative mission investment strategies.
Sovereign Equity Fund at a glance
In short: Sovereign Equity Fund gave $680K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $97K), top state Nebraska. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $680,000
- -53.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- -12.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $97,143
- -47.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $5,076,081
- -17.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Nebraska (28% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Sovereign Equity Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) ($190K across 2 grants). Together the top 6 received $680K.
Grant Size Distribution
15 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 10 grants of 15 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $680K (2024) to $1.5M (2023). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $680K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Peck Community College Poplar, MT | Food Sovereignty / Cultural Foodways Initiative | $100,000 |
| Iisavik College Utqiavik Barrow, AL | Food Sovereignty / Cultural Foodways Initiative | $100,000 |
| Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University Hayward, WI | Food Sovereignty / Cultural Foodways Initiative | $100,000 |
| Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) Macy, NE | Food Sovereignty / Cultural Foodways Initiative | $100,000 |
| Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College (NHS College) New Town, ND | Food Sovereignty / Cultural Foodways Initiative | $100,000 |
| Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) Macy, NE | USDA NIFA Subgrantee | $90,000 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Fairbanks, AK | USDA NIFA Subgrantee | $90,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,076,081 | $1,623,093 | $2,180,936 | $680,000 | 7 |
| 2023 | $6,130,540 | $3,368,170 | $1,506,056 | $1,468,170 | 8 |
About Sovereign Equity Fund
Based on IRS filings
Sovereign Equity Fund is a public charity, based in Bismark, ND. IRS filing data is available from 2023 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $680K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Sovereign Equity Fund is led by Justin Wilson, President on every filing since 2023; 4 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Justin Wilson
President
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$2K (2024)
Courtney Chavis
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$100K (2024)
JoAnn Kauffman
Secretary
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$2K (2024)
Richard Luarkie
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$2K (2024)
Christy Walker
Controller
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2024. "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 $100K, to Courtney Chavis (Executive Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Sovereign Equity Fund
How much does Sovereign Equity Fund give each year?
Sovereign Equity Fund gave $680K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 8 grants.
What is Sovereign Equity Fund's typical grant size?
Sovereign Equity Fund's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $97,143, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Sovereign Equity Fund give grants?
Sovereign Equity Fund's top state is Nebraska, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Montana (15%) and Alabama (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Macy, NE (2 grants).
Does Sovereign Equity Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on Sovereign Equity Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Food Sovereignty / Cultural Foodways Initiative" (5 grants).
Who are Sovereign Equity Fund's largest grantees?
Sovereign Equity Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) ($190,000 across 2 grants), Fort Peck Community College ($100,000) and Iisavik College ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Sovereign Equity Fund?
Sovereign Equity Fund reported $5.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.6M.
What is Sovereign Equity Fund's EIN?
Sovereign Equity Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-2247773. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Live grants for the work Sovereign Equity Fund funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · 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 Sovereign Equity Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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