2007 | 2006 | 2005 | Past Accomplishments

Native Americans in Philanthropy 2005* Accomplishments

Growing Membership

• Membership grew in 2005! The number of members grew from 33 to 100. Support from individuals and organizations increased from $20,000 to $38,844. Improved Communications
• In 2005, we launched a regular e-newsletter to keep members and supporters continuously informed and updated. This is accompanied by a printed newsletter called "Circle of Giving" that is distributed three times a year
• The www.nativephilanthropy.org website was re-designed with regular news updates, a current calendar, job postings, grant opportunities and resources.

Leadership Development

In January 2006, we launched a pilot leadership program in the Twin Cities/Midwest for Native nonprofit, human services, educational and community leaders. Called the "Circle of Leadership," a $50,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation helped start the program. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives and represent Native communities in North Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The program is being coordinated in partnership with a separate community leadership program that is sponsored by the Grotto Foundation. Eventually, sessions and lessons from the "Circle of Leadership" will be shared and aligned with similar Native nonprofit leadership efforts underway in Alaska and the Northwest, Southwest and Southeast.

Partnerships

• In September, we worked closely with First Nations Development Institute to convene a group of leaders in Native philanthropy and tribal giving. The gathering at the Northwest Area Foundation in St. Paul resulted in a number of recommendations on how tribal funds, Native nonprofits, mainstream foundations and others can work together to increase resources for Native communities. A proceedings report is available on the website, and the gathering inspired the creation of a video about Native philanthropy, which is also posted on-line
• We collaborated with the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development on production of a new report called "Large Foundations' Grantmaking to Native America."
• We advised the work of the Third Millennium Project at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, which is focused on increasing giving in communities of color.

Fundraising and Capacity-Building

In 2005, Native Americans in Philanthropy received a grant of $140,000 over two years from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to fund organizational development and capacity-building. This means we are part of a Kellogg project to increase giving in communities of color that also involves other NAP members, including The Hopi Foundation, Potlatch Fund and the Grotto Foundation-sponsored American Indian Family Empowerment Program. Additionally in 2005, we received significant support grants from the C.S. Mott and Ford Foundations and the Christensen Fund. With these resources, administrative associate Neely Snyder moved to full-time job status.

Outreach, Education and Relationship-Building

In 2005, we participated in a number of activities to build greater awareness of the needs and resources within Native communities and to build bridges between Native organizations and funders. We co-planned and participated in panels at several conferences, including the Council on Foundations, National Congress of American Indians and National Network of Grantmakers.

*Note: Native Americans in Philanthropy operates on a fiscal year, which runs from July 1 - June 30.