Community Relations and Innovation (CRI) Fund

Geographic Scope: Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana

Eligibility:

• Individual Native artists
• Native organizations
• Tribal entities
• Must serve 51% Native community
• 2/3 Native staff and board (for organizations)
• Federally recognized tribal entities
• State recognized tribal entities seeking recognition
• Native 501c3 organizations
• Native 501c4 organizations
• Fiscally sponsored individual artists
• Enrolled individual artists
• Descendant status applicants

Focus Areas:

• Youth work
• Community building
• Arts and culture
• Language preservation and revitalization
• Education and advocacy
• Health and wellness
• Environmental stewardship
• Cultural ceremonies and healing
• Economic development and entrepreneurship

Program Overview: The Community Relations and Innovation Fund was established to streamline Potlatch Fund's grant practices. This fund consolidated previous separate grant opportunities (Healthy Pathways for Native Youth, Language Preservation, Community Building, Native Student Success, and Native Arts) into one unified grant process. The inaugural 2023 round awarded 44 grants totaling $396,800 to support grantees to expand their vital work for long-lasting positive impacts in their communities.

Examples of Grantees (2023 inaugural round):
Included individual Native artists, tribal entities, youth organizations, language preservation consortiums, cultural centers, and community-based organizations across the four-state region.

Geographic Service Areas: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington

Mailing Address: 800 Fifth Ave., #101-257, Seattle, WA 98104

Application Process

Applications are submitted through the Grant Portal available on the Potlatch Fund website.

Required Steps:

1. Review eligibility requirements
2. Complete online application form through Grant Portal
3. Submit application through portal

Eligibility Requirements to Review:

• Provide service in WA, OR, ID, or MT
• Serve 51% Native community
• For organizations: 2/3 Native staff and board
• Federally recognized tribal entity, state recognized tribal entity seeking recognition, Native 501c3 or 501c4 organization, or individual artist status (enrolled or descendant)

Selection Criteria:
Applications are reviewed by a panel of experts who evaluate projects based on:

• Alignment with Potlatch Fund's mission
• Potential impact of the project
• Feasibility of implementation

Contact for Questions: info@potlatchfund.org