NAP Newsletter

MAY 2013

2013 NATIVE PHILANTHROPY INSTITUTE

(Download the full report here: 2013NPI-Report)

Philanthropy Ignited: Relationships. Communities. Innovations.

Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) concluded its 8th Annual Native Philanthropy Institute (NPI) on April 3-5 at the Cherokee Nation’s Hard Rock Casino Resort located in Catoosa, OK. The NPI engaged 151 national participants from Native communities, Tribal giving programs, Native and non-Native nonprofits, foundations and philanthropic associations for dialogue, interaction and co-learning centered on the conference theme of Philanthropy Ignited: Relationships. Communities. Innovations. Additionally, each day was themed after one of the three strategic directions of NAP; beginning with Engage on the first day, Educate on the second and Empower on the final day.

Philanthropy was kindled on the first day of the conference through three rapid and dynamic presentations from representatives of Tribal leadership, Native nonprofit and private foundation. These three presenters focused on the question of ‘what ignites your passion and energy to work in philanthropy?’ Tabletop discussions followed and led to each group building consensus to one burning question or thought to be shared widely; more than 26 questions were received through the innovative use of text-message polling capabilities.

The silent auction held that evening was fun and displayed 30 items graciously donated. Especially exciting was that it raised $1,845 to support the NAP Awards Endowment fund; we appreciate the generosity of so many! The plated dinner included the recognition of five incredible individuals and organizations working to advance Native philanthropy. The award recipients were:

Louis T. Delgado Distinguished Grantmaker Award

Lori Pourier, President and CEO of First Peoples Fund

Flying Eagle Woman Award for Community Based Philanthropy

Sharon Thompson, Executive Director of Arctic Slope Community Foundation

Partner & Ally Award

Joint Affinity Groups

Tribal Philanthropy Award

Tulalip Tribes Charitable Funds

Member of the Year Award

Casey Family Programs

The evening concluded with a charming performance by a local youth group called Gang of Seven and then Chickasaw storyteller Stephanie Scott.

Thursday, philanthropy was fueled through the national unveiling of two significant research reports that NAP had partnered on to produce. Louis Delgado led the research for Native Voices Rising: Organizing and Advocacy Work in Indian Country. The report was a joint research and re-granting project of NAP and Common Counsel Foundation intended to focus philanthropic attention on the need for increased investment in and sustained support for grassroots community organizing and advocacy in American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. Elaine Stephens presented the Minnesota Native American Nonprofit Economy Report. The report focused on the scope and impact of the comprehensively identified Minnesota Native-led nonprofits as well as clarifying their strengths, challenges, and relationship-building opportunities with philanthropy. This report can be replicated through any regional or state-wide initiative.

The conference continued with three concurrent session tracks of three sessions each designed to further educate attendees on the topics of Leadership, Organizational Development, and Strategic Partnerships. Through an open Call for Proposals process and engagement of the Circle of Leadership Academy (CoLA) Leaders; nine total sessions identified innovative approaches to furthering the work of Native philanthropy.

The Leadership Track was led by the CoLA Leaders and focused on the matters they are experiencing as the next generation of philanthropic and nonprofit leaders.

Attendees were provided membership updates by NAP member associate Jennifer Fairbanks. NAP director of development and communications Y. Elaine Stephens displayed a skeleton version of the new NAP website.

A fun and relaxing evening was had through an exclusive viewing of The Cherokee Word for Water. It was highlighted by a question and answer exchange with Charlie Soap and Kristina Kiehl, the film’s directors. The movie is dedicated to Wilma Mankiller’s vision, compassion and incredible grace. Its trailer can be viewed by clicking here.

At the final day of the conference, philanthropy was inspired through an engaging group of partnership organizations whom shared insights and tools for engaging in the NAP network. Each presenter responded to a burning questions or idea generated during the conference’s opening session.

2014 NATIVE PHILANTHROPY INSTITUTE

Planning for the 9th Native Philanthropy Institute has begun and will be shared through the various NAP communication outlets. Native Americans in Philanthropy’s Board and Staff would like to give a big THANK YOU to the members, sponsors, planning committee, partners and allies for helping to ensure the 2013 Native Philanthropy Institute was another wonderful success!

2013 NPI AND CoLA NATIONAL SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS

• Reached our goal of 150+ attendees! Including 17 Tribal communities, 2 Tribal leaders, 27 Foundations, 55 Nonprofits and 50 individual supporters.

• Innovative approaches were shared to power investment into and reciprocity within Native communities.

• All seven Regional Action Networks were represented! Including 22 Northwest, 17 Southwest, 14 Pacific, 50 Central, 26 Midwest, 14 Northeast, 5 Southeast and 3 Canada.

• Screening of The Cherokee Word for Water featured its directors Charlie Soap and Kristina Kiehl. A lively Q&A followed with key insights shared with attendees.

• Silent auction bids netted the NAP Awards Endowment Fund $1,845. The beautiful items were graciously donated by the NPI planning committee, NAP board, staff and members, vendors and others.

• The Gang of Seven and Chickasaw storyteller Stephanie Scott infused youth and traditional stories into the after dinner entertainment.

• Cherokee Nation and several Oklahoma Native communities were incredibly supportive; demonstrated by active participation from Tribal leadership; color guard presentation of Tribal, Federal and State flags; elders provided spiritual words; artists created a marketplace; and youth sparked enthusiasm.

• 25 enthusiastic CoLA Leaders participated and represented 6 of the NAP regional networks.

• Circle of Leadership Academy (CoLA) Leaders led the Leadership development track and were inspired to discuss mentorship, leadership transitions and culturally-empowered leadership strategies.

• CoLA Leader, Pamela Villaseñor, led the development of a white paper to identify issues and solutions in addressing funding inequities and partnership opportunities between Native communities and philanthropy. The much anticipated release of the paper is summer 2013.

• CoLA Leaders, NAP Board and Staff, and RAN Weavers engaged in a group activity to share a collective vision toward the future of Native philanthropy.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Thursday morning greeted attendees with a bountiful breakfast and the NAP Annual Membership Meeting. Board members shared strategic, programmatic, and financial updates. General members voted on the proposed slate of three board members to fulfill a three year term.

Board Chair Ricardo Lopez with The Alaska Community Foundation completed his final board term and we sincerely thank him for the dedication to building the organization and advancing Native philanthropy. Aleesha Towns-Bain with Rasmuson Foundation was approved by the general membership to fill the open board position. Dawn Spears with New England Foundation for the Arts and Monica Nuvamsa with The Hopi Foundation were approved for their second terms. The general membership also approved the 2014 Board Officers slate of the following:

• Board Chair – Lavon Lee, Grotto Foundation

• Board Vice Chair – Dawn Spears, New England Foundation for the Arts

• Board Secretary – Johnna Walker, Chickasaw Foundation

• Board Treasurer – Philip Sanchez, Time Warner, Inc.

MEMBERSHIP

This follow-up session will review in detail how to take advantage of the FlipCam Program membership benefit and have your organization highlighted on the NAP website and newsletter. In this FREE 30 minute session, we’ll cover the following:

• How to work a FlipCam
• What to think about while you’re capturing video
• Questions that can help guide you during the process
• How your nonprofit organization can participate and the program process

 2013 Membership Survey

NAP would like to get feedback from our members on ways to enhance our programs and membership services for FY2014. Your input is invaluable! Please take 3 minutes and follow the link provided below to our annual membership survey.

Responses from all individual and organizational members are appreciated!

Please click here to complete the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/napmembersurvey2013

The survey will close on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 at midnight.

If you would like to contribute a resource, job posting, or article to our newsletter or website, please email the Membership Associate at jfairbanks@nativephilanthropy.org.

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