A Longmont-based nonprofit invested more than $8 million into Native American communities across the country last year.
The First Nations Development Institute released its impact report for 2021, which reported 457 grants awarded for a total of $8.4 million to Native-controlled nonprofits and tribal government programs. Of those awarded, 204 grants totalling $2.6 million were part of the COVID-19 emergency response.
The First Nations Development Institute, founded in 1980 and headquartered in Longmont, aims to strengthen American Indian economies by investing in innovative institutions and models that support economic development in those communities.
According to the institute’s report, there remains unmet needs for these types of grants. First Nations is typically only able to fund a small percentage of grant requests, usually less than 20%.
In 2021, the organization also hosted 128 technical assistance support sessions with capacity-building training, webinars and convenings. The impact report said that 73,075 people were reached through programs.
The nonprofit provided 40 academic scholarships to students, supported the production of 31 publications and saw 5,116 publications downloaded from the online knowledge center last year.
The report also highlighted the Native Fundraisers Community of Practice, a year-long program that helps participants learn to strengthen grant writing and fundraising skills. In 2021, those participants submitted for 67 grants soliciting $6.4 million in funds.
First Nations Board Chair Benny Shendo highlighted the organization's transparency as part of the report. First Nations received four stars from Charity Navigator for the 10th year in a row, something only 3% of charities evaluated have done, according to the report.
First Nations again earned the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency and meets all 20 standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, Shendo said. He added that 84% of donated dollars to First Nations goes directly to programs and communities.
See the impact report and learn more about the First Nations Development Institute at www.firstnations.org.
