Native Americans in Philanthropy Underway in 2006
 

Membership Services

• We launched the Native Philanthropy Institute in April as a vehicle for networking, sharing and skill-building. This institute was developed to respond directly to member needs and interests that were articulated in a membership survey. (See "Strategic Philanthropy Report" in our Resources section of the website)
• We have hired a Membership and Program Coordinator - Carrie Day-Aspinwall. This new position will be responsible for membership relations, program services and communications. With this new staff person, the organization will be increasingly responsive to member needs, align programs in coordination with our partners, and gather success stories to make the case for Native philanthropy.

Leadership Development

In addition to successfully implementing the Circle of Leadership program in the Twin Cities/Midwest, we are working to expand its impact by sharing resources and learning opportunities with similar leadership projects managed by our members. This collaboration could initially occur with Native nonprofit leadership programs currently operating in Alaska, the Northwest, Southwest and Southeast.

Partnerships

Among several active projects, we are working with an organization called "Learning to Give" to promote philanthropy, giving, service and volunteering among Native young people. Another major partner is the Oklahoma-based United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY). Learning to Give is based in Michigan and has a field office at The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Outreach, Education and Relationship-Building

We have co-planned and implemented several activities designed to raise awareness among funders:

• Council on Foundations Family Foundations conference panel, January 2006
• Grantmakers for Education members' briefing on Native American education issues, February 2006. Coordinated by the American Indian College Fund in Denver, this event featured Native experts, practitioners and researchers. A briefing report of recommendations to funders will be published this Spring and will be available on the web at www.nativephilanthropy.org.
• Minnesota Council of Foundations newsletter and funders' dialogue, February 2006. We helped this regional association of funders produce a special edition of its newsletter focused on Native issues. Additionally, in response to the Red Lake tragedy we have participated in an ongoing discussion of funders seeking ways to collaborate together with Minnesota's Native communities.

2006 Goals

• Bolster Native leadership, mentoring and investment in Native philanthropy.
• Broaden and deepen the network of organized, mainstream philanthropy that is engaged in learning and investment in self-determined Native-led causes and concerns.
• Enhance communications and technical assistance to the diverse and influential players in Native philanthropy.
• Continue to strengthen the Native Americans in Philanthropy organization.