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Native Nation Rebuilders Program

Native Governance Center

Foundation Annual Grants for Native AmericansYouth Leadership Grants

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Native Nation Rebuilders Program

Overview: A two-year, cohort-based leadership training experience for Indigenous changemakers designed to strengthen Native leadership and equip participants with Indigenized tools and frameworks to help rebuild their nations.

Geographic Scope:

  • Enrolled citizens of one of the 23 Native nations sharing geography with Mni Sota Makoce (Minnesota), North Dakota, or South Dakota

  • OR Enrolled citizens of any federally-recognized Native nation currently living and working in Mni Sota Makoce, North Dakota, or South Dakota

    • Focus Areas:

  • Community engagement

  • Movement building

  • Wellness

  • Indigenized governance practices

  • Native nation rebuilding framework

  • Leadership skill development

    • Eligibility Requirements:

  • Minimum age: 21 years old

  • Enrolled citizen of eligible Native nation(s)

  • Currently living and working in specified geographic area (for non-23-nation citizens)

    • Program Structure:

  • Year One: Development of leadership skills and identification of nation rebuilding approaches in participants' communities. Participants complete modules on self-awareness, nation rebuilding, health and wealth, systems and governing relationships, and sovereignty as a practice.

  • Year Two: Implementation of a community action plan with tangible positive impact on Tribal citizens. Examples include community strategic planning, youth empowerment programs, constitutional reform, tribal civics projects, tribal history manuals, and culture-based programming.

    • What Participants Receive:

  • Indigenous-led, values-grounded education

  • Learning from Indigenous knowledge keepers

  • Cohort networking and kinship building

  • One-on-one coaching

  • Customized training

  • Resources to support action plans

  • Hands-on experiences (cultural crafting, medicine walks, etc.)

  • Access to network of 200+ graduated Indigenous changemakers from 13+ cohorts

    • Contact Information:

  • Jessica Glidden, Program Manager - Leadership Development: [email protected]

  • Nathaniel Ruleaux, Program Coordinator - Leadership Development: [email protected]

  • Phone: (651) 571-0826

  • Mailing Address: 1730 New Brighton Blvd Suite 104-236, Minneapolis, MN 55413

    • Background: Native nation rebuilding is the process of moving away from ineffective models of Tribal governance and rebuilding culturally-relevant governance institutions through five elements: sovereignty, transformational leadership, cultural match, strong governing systems, and seventh generation thinking.

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Timeline: Applications typically open in summer/early fall with deadlines in late September/early October (specific dates vary by cohort)

    Multi-Step Application Requirements:

    1. Online Application Form
    - Basic demographic information
    - Short essay questions

    2. Professional References
    - Select two professional references
    - References speak to applicant's values, character, and goals

    3. Employer Support
    - Complete employer commitment form
    - Confirms employer will support participation in program
    - All employment statuses valid (employed, self-employed, not employed)

    Additional Information: For detailed process and requirements, visit the "Become a Rebuilder" page on the website.

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    What Native Governance Center actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2023 — the most recent filing with itemized grants

    Grants in 2023
    4
    Total given
    $176K
    Median grant
    $50K
    Range
    $26K–$50K
    • By dollars: South Dakota 57%, Minnesota 43%. Top recipient cities: Nett Lake, MN; Wagner, SD; Eagle Butte, SD.

    Example grants

    • Bois Forte Band of Chippewa · Nett Lake, MN

      Tribal finance roadmap initiatives

      $50K

    • Yankton Sioux Tribe · Wagner, SD

      Tribal finance roadmap initiatives

      $50K

    • Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe · Eagle Butte, SD

      Tribal finance roadmap initiatives

      $50K

    • Indigenous Roots · St Paul, MN

      We are still here - mn

      $26K

    IRS Form 990-PF, 2023. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    native-americansyouth-leadership

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