Native Americans in Philanthropy is pleased to partner with the Foundation Center to produce this research. This report and partnership has afforded us the opportunity to update and share much needed research about the philanthropic investment in Indian Country and Native issues. We offer a special thanks to the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for its commitment to addressing issues of equity within the philanthropic sector. We are honored to have Louis Delgado and Sarah Hicks provide reflections and essays in this report.

This report supports and expands on the research conducted in 2004, Large Foundations’ to Native America, by Sarah Hicks and Miriam Jorgensen. This report revisits (and in some areas expands on) the data analyzed. It should be noted that some of the methodology and information addressed differs from the Large Foundations’ to Native America report. This includes:

• Updated trend data for giving to Native communities, organizations, and causes in the 2000s and presenting a current (2009) picture;
• Use of more sophisticated coding and analysis to examine distribution of funding by issue area and subpopulations;
• Differentiation of multi-benefit grants from grants that benefit only Native American causes and concerns; and
• A comparison of Native priorities to foundation funding by issue area.

While we acknowledge this is only a cursory look at investments by the philanthropic sector to Native America, the data highlights a lack of resources and investments into the Native community. We encourage the use of this report to expand your knowledge, improve and deepen partnerships in your work, and join NAP in supporting the vision of healthy and sustainable communities enhanced by the Native spirit of generosity.

To download this report please click here.