Our Vision & Mission

Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) board and members hold a VISION of healthy and sustainable communities enhanced by the Native spirit of generosity.

This vision inspires and motivates member engagement through our MISSION which is to advance philanthropic practices grounded in Native values and traditions.

To advance the mission of NAP, our framework for the future is centered on the following three STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS:

1. Engage Native and non-Native practitioners of philanthropy to focus on sustainable Native communities;
2. Educate to instill Native philanthropic values into contemporary practice; and
3. Empower Native philanthropic leadership to be effective practitioners.

NAP celebrates the rich history that Native peoples have in sharing their wealth and caring for their communities. NAP is comprised of individuals who seek to enrich the lives of Native people through bridging organized philanthropy and indigenous communities in order to foster understanding and increase effectiveness.

Our History

Native Americans in Philanthropy was formed in January 1990 when a group of Native people affiliated with philanthropic institutions convened at a national meeting in Chicago to discuss the socio-economic status of Native people and the limited role philanthropy had played in helping this population. Over 30 people including staff, board members and consultants to foundations and corporate entities participated and discussed issues affecting Native people. At the meeting it was determined a formal organization needed to be created that would have as its central mission, the ongoing task of improving philanthropic grantmaking within Native communities. With this mandate, the participants formed Native Americans in Philanthropy. Since that first gathering additional conferences and educational forums have been conducted to raise the level of awareness in philanthropy about Native communities. To date, it has evolved as the only national organization with the sole purpose of increasing the effectiveness of philanthropy related to Native people.

Specifically, Native Americans in Philanthropy was created with a mission to advocate within the philanthropic community the promotion, development, effectiveness and growth of philanthropy in Native communities. Native Americans in Philanthropy also seeks to leverage and expand the sources of philanthropic dollars going toward Native issues and concerns, and to build the capacity for expanding and managing Native philanthropic institutions and programs. In pursuit of this mission, Native Americans in Philanthropy serves as a forum for partnerships between Native people, donors, foundations and other interested philanthropists, and improves the understanding about the unique aspects of Native people and how philanthropy can help Native people increase their access to opportunities within the philanthropic community.

From its beginning in January 1990 until October, 1993, Native Americans in Philanthropy functioned as an all volunteer effort. On October 13, 1993, staff was hired and the organization was able to consolidate its efforts and build its institutional capacity for fulfillment of its mission. Along with staff, the Board of Directors maintains an active role in policy and program development. The addition of a committee structure assists in their fulfillment of these roles.

For more information or questions you can contact Native Americans in Philanthropy by phone at (612) 724-8798, fax at (612) 789-0613, or e-mail at info@nativephilanthropy.org