Young Natural Resource Professionals Cohort in the Northern Great Plains

Overview

Founded in 1980, First Nations Development Institute began its national grantmaking program in 1993. Through mid-year 2024, we have successfully managed 3,473 grants totaling $85 million to Native American projects and organizations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territory American Samoa.

First Nations is the most highly-rated American Indian nonprofit in the nation. Indeed, every year since 2013, First Nations has received the top 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Our mission is to uplift and sustain the lifeways and economies of Native communities through advocacy, financial support, and knowledge sharing. We envision a world in which Tribal Sovereignty is upheld, and Native ingenuity and knowledge are honored and respected.

Our grantmaking program provides both financial and technical resources to tribes and Native nonprofit organizations to support asset-based development efforts. Eligible applicants include:

* Federal- and State-Recognized Tribal Governments (Tribal Government Programs, such as Tribal Arts Programs, Heritage Departments, Economic Development Entities, etc.)
* Native-controlled 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
* Native 7871 Organizations
* Fiscally-sponsored Native community organizations
* There are also occasional individual support opportunities available through fellowships and scholarships.

Young Natural Resource Professionals Cohort in the Northern Great Plains

First Nations’ Young Natural Resource Professionals Cohort (“cohort”), launched under the Stewarding Native Lands program, is a 12-month enrichment opportunity, designed to support the knowledge and networks of young natural resource professionals in the Northern Great Plains. The goal of the cohort is to support and convene 15 early-career natural resource professionals who are employed by Tribes in the Northern Great Plains. Members of the cohort will develop professional, leadership, and technical skills, and learn how to employ tribal and community conservation priorities. By the end of the cohort, participants will:

* Gain a deeper understanding of traditional stewardship practices that improve and conserve tribal lands,
* Receive specialized training to manage projects, and
* Be able to communicate the importance of upholding tribal sovereignty, cultural grounding, and connection to ancestral lands in resource management.

Members of the cohort have access to the following:

* A $5,000 stipend to hosting Tribe
* Travel support for professional development
* A $50,000 tribal grant to lead a conservation-focused project
* Participation in a supportive network comprised of other young professionals in your region.
* Mentorship in project planning, management, reporting, and much more!

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Eligible applicants must be (but not limited to):
* Tribally-affiliated with a Native American community.

* Employed by a tribal natural resource and/or environmental department in the Northern Great Plains (Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming).
* Between the age of 18-30 years old.
* U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

* First Nations seeks applicants that:
* Are committed to participating in the cohort for 12-months.
* Are committed to implementing stewardship initiatives aligned with cultural values.
* Are interested in developing their management and leadership skills and learning more about traditional stewardship practices.