In this Newsletter

• NAP News

                o    NAP on First Person Radio
                o    Request for Proposals: Photographer
                o    NAP Hires New Staff
                o    Save the Date: 7th Annual Native Philanthropy Institute
                o    Fall 2011 Regional Action Network Gatherings

• Profiles in Native Leadership: Dr. Kathleen Annette
• Member News
• Philanthropy News
• Resources
• Ways to Support NAP

NAP NEWS

First Person Radio with Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP): Funding Self-Determination
First Person Radio's Laura Waterman Wittstock with Andy Driscoll talked with NAP executive director Carly Hare about philanthropy in the American Indian community.  The foundations represented by the show’s guests have committed their resources to fostering Native self-determination, empowerment, education, leadership, and community development.  The show also discussed with program officers the future they see for Native philanthropy’s role in driving development and public policy through indigenous cultural values, organizing, and sense of community.
To listen to the full show, click here.

Native Americans in Philanthropy Request for Proposals
Deadline for submissions: September 19, 2011
Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) started its journey 20 years ago.  Throughout this journey NAP has committed to advancing philanthropic practices grounded in Native values and traditions.  We are proud of the path that we have traveled and the role NAP has played in the philanthropic sector through education, engagement and empowerment strategies.  We encourage you to email Elaine for a RFP.

Background Information: Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) has implemented a communication strategy that focuses on high quality, professional communication elements; this includes obtaining photographic images of staff and the board of directors.  Currently, there is no uniformity across images of staff and board—in some instances; no images are available of some of the staff and board.

Photo shoot requirements:

• Event title: Native Americans in Philanthropy Board and Staff photo shoot
• Date: The week of November 14th. Date to be confirmed by September 15th.
• Time: TBD; One-day photo shoot not to exceed 8 hrs.; but maybe as short as 4 hrs.
• Location: TBD (tentatively scheduled for Hopi Reservation), Arizona (suggestions welcome)
• Subject(s): Headshots/single pose shots for 15 individuals (male and female).
• Optional Needs: One hair and makeup stylist (may be stylist needing ‘test’ shots, or senior-level students).

Submission Deadlines:  If you intend to bid on this project, please notify Y. Elaine Stephens by email: yestephens@nativephilanthropy.org by Monday, September 19.  Include in your bid sample digital photos and/or website name that features your portfolio.

If you have questions, please submit these by email to Y. Elaine Stephens at the email above.  Answers to all questions regarding the RFP will be emailed to all consultants who have notified NAP that they plan to bid.   Email your bid to Y. Elaine Stephens at the email address above by close of business on Monday, September 19th.

Review Process:  A subcommittee composed of NAP staff will review bids submitted.  The subcommittee will interview (if needed) and approve the final selection by the end of September 2011.

Native Americans in Philanthropy Hires New Staff Person
Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) is pleased to announce the hiring of Crystal Pelchat to its staff on August 8, 2011.  Pelchat serves as the full-time program associate to NAP’s regional and national programs.

NAP’s mission is to advance philanthropic practices grounded in Native values and traditions.  This position was created to expand the capacity and effectiveness of programming with its members, partners and allies.  In her new role, Pelchat will provide support for program development and management as well as to enhance communication systems.

Pelchat’s professional experience includes the development of sexual and reproductive health programs within the Midwest Region for women and girls in rural areas.  She was also an invited White House guest representing American Indian Women Leaders for HIV/AIDS Prevention Work for Change in 2010.

Aside from her work at NAP, Pelchat is pursuing a degree in social work and plans to use her MSW to further her work in Indian Country with youth and families.  She is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and has ancestry in the Red Lake Band of Chippewa.

SAVE THE DATE! 7th Annual Native Philanthropy Institute
The 7th Annual Native Philanthropy Institute (NPI) will be April 26-27, 2012 in downtown Los Angeles. CA.  Held just prior to the 2012 Council on Foundations annual conference, Native Americans in Philanthropy will bring together members and allies from Tribal giving programs, foundations, affinity partners, and nonprofits to engage in dialogue, interaction, and co-learning.

The NPI will create opportunities for attendees to build new and deepen existing relationships; broaden and enhance the Native leadership pipeline; promote knowledge and resource sharing among attendees; highlight philanthropic and community partnerships; and explore intersections of identity and equity within diverse communities.  Breakout session tracks include leadership, strategic partnerships and capacity building.  NAP’s annual membership meeting, awards dinner and silent auction will also be on the program agenda.

We look forward to seeing you in downtown Los Angeles, CA on April 26-27, 2012.  More updates will be available in the October 2011 e-Newsletter!

Fall 2011 Regional Action Network Gatherings
As Native Americans in Philanthropy continues to deepen engagement with its members, partners and allies, a second round of Regional Action Network Gatherings is scheduled for the Fall of 2011.  All are encouraged to engage in this opportunity to join NAP board members and staff as they highlight opportunities for partnership, share resources and illustrate programs available through NAP that work to advance philanthropic practices grounded in Native values and traditions.

Gatherings are being scheduled for many of the regions.  For more information about the Regional Action Network and to learn what region you are in please click here.  The gatherings are offered in either a 1-Day or 1/2-Day format and will be noted on the event link below.  For a copy of both agendas please click here.

Regional Action Network Gatherings, date(s) and locations:

Northwest Region:
September 20 (1-Day) in Missoula, MT prior to the Philanthropy Northwest 2011 Annual Conference
Visit us at our booth during the NCAI Conference on October 12 - November 4.

Pacific Region: 
October 13 (1/2-Day) at the Humboldt Area Foundation in Bayside, CA.
Mid-October (1/2-Days) - Looking for hosts in Los Angeles, San Diego and the Bay Area area.

Northeast Region:
October 12 (1/2-Day) in Washington, D.C. at the National Congress of American Indians
October 13 (1/2-Day) in New York, NY at the North Star Fund

Southeast Region:
Visit us at our booth during the USET Annual Conference on November 7 - 10.

Southwest Region:
September 27 (1/2-Day) in Santa Ana Pueblo, NM at the Tamaya Hyatt Resort and Spa
December 7 (1/2-Day) in Phoenix, AZ.  Looking for host.  

Central Region:
Late November (1/2-Days); Looking for hosts in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

If you would like to host an upcoming regional gathering please contact Crystal Pelchat, program associate via e-mail at cpelchat@nativephilanthropy.org

PROFILES ON NATIVE LEADERSHIP

Dr. Kathleen Annette (White Earth Band of Ojibwe), Blandin Foundation
With the departure of Jim Hoolihan as CEO, Blandin Foundation announced July 2011 Dr. Kathleen Annette, as the new president and CEO. Kathleen, (White Earth Band of Ojibwe), will succeed Jim beginning September 1. As Blandin’s president and CEO for the past 7 years, Jim will return to the private sector. Kathleen regards Jim as an amazing leader and is honored to be following in his lead.

After working for the Indian Health Service (IHS) for 25 years, her extensive history with Blandin Foundation and her past work experience made her an excellent candidate to be named as the new president and CEO.  Kathleen was enthused by Blandin’s decision to ask her to join the organization.  “I was very excited to join for a number of reasons.  I am impressed by their staff and by the quality of the board.  What more could a person looking for a change ask for than to work with a foundation that has such a great mission?” she said.  Having lived and worked in rural communities all of her life, Kathleen feels an alignment with the foundation’s focus on rural Minnesota.  “My life has been national.  It’s time for me to focus in on home; on Minnesota.”

Blandin Foundation’s mission is strengthening rural Minnesota, especially in the Grand Rapids area.  Charles K. Blandin, founder of Blandin Foundation, envisioned the organization to be the leading partner for building healthy communities that are grounded in strong economies, where benefits and burdens are widely shared.  The foundation’s long-term goals center around this mission and vision—by investing in leaders and expanding opportunity in communities throughout rural Minnesota, especially the Grand Rapids/Itasca County area.  Under Kathleen’s leadership, the foundation will continue to focus on its mission statement while continuing to invest in progressive ideas.  “Our approach will be to directly listen to people and get ideas from communities.  Some ideas come from where you least expect it,” she said.

Kathleen has been a long-time partner with the Blandin Foundation, having served as a board member for 12 years and participated in Blandin’s American Indian Advisory Committee.  Since the time she first became involved with the foundation, she feels it has evolved to the point where the organization has an understanding of and listens to communities that have expressed what their needs are.  “It’s not just about Blandin teaching us this, but about bringing together community and looking at what we can learn from each other,” she said.  

Two particular programs that she cites as examples of this work are the Blandin Community Leadership Program (BCLP) and the Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program (BRCLP).  Both leadership-training programs work on developing and sustaining a healthy community by building on the existing strengths within the community.  The BRCLP is designed to be more culturally specific while also aiming to create a healthy community.  “The programs have trained 6,000 leaders throughout the state so far.  Those leaders can take back what they learned and give back what they know,” she said.  Kathleen was in the first cohort for the BRCLP back in 2001 and saw how the program was designed.  Since then the program has become much more pertinent to American Indians with the help of the foundation’s American Indian Advisory Committee.   

Kathleen believes the future of philanthropy is positive due to its use of strategic thinking.  She explained that philanthropy plays a targeted role that supports all people, including Indian Country, but she would like to see more engagement from both sides.  “I would like to see American Indians become more and more active in the community in which they live,” she said.  She also believes it’s important to make sure tribes are being actively engaged by mainstream philanthropy.  She stated, “There are ideas out there on the reservations.”

Along with 30 years of executive leadership experience in the public sector, Kathleen hopes to also bring her rural communities perspective to the Blandin Foundation.  “I hope I can bring to the organization knowledge of what the biggest challenges are with some communities that are struggling to become stronger,” she explained.  Throughout her career, she has worked within rural communities, primarily American Indian communities, and has been impressed by the strength she has seen in those communities.  More specifically, she believes a portion of their strength lies within their cultures, traditions, and how they are thinking about the future.

In her new role, Kathleen will look over all of the operational side of the foundation work with strategic planning to make sure the mission and vision of the founder is kept in mind.  As president and CEO, she will be working with the staff and the communities the foundation supports to improve programs.  She cites being able to work with the local rural communities to identify new ways of advancement as a great opportunity.  However, she feels her biggest challenge will be improving on programs that she regards as already being stellar.  She said, “I’m joining a triple ‘A’ organization.  So improving is a challenge but you can always do better.”

Kathleen’s full bio and the Blandin Foundation’s programs and resources are detailed at their website, www.blandinfoundation.org.

MEMBER NEWS

New & Renewed Members
NAP would like to take the time to recognize and welcome our new members and our recently renewed members.  Thank You!

Organizations
National Council of Urban Indian Health

Individuals
Thomas Gallaher, Seminole Tribe of Florida
Johnna Walker, Chickasaw Foundation

Where’s your thank you?
Thank you to those who sent us a ‘Thank You’ in your Native language.  Here is what we have so far.  Is yours on the list?

Email the words thank you and the name of your tribe and language to Elaine.

NCAIED Announces 2011 Native American 40 Under 40
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) will honor 40 existing and emerging American Indian professionals under the age of 40 at its 36th Annual Indian Progress in Business Awards Event (INPRO) on Thursday, September 8 at The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) would like to congratulate Amy Bowers from NAP member Native American Rights Fund (NARF) for making the list.
To read more, click here.

Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical application deadline is Oct. 1
Anchorage, AK– Here’s an important message for overworked and harried nonprofit leaders - take a break.

Research shows that when nonprofit leaders engage in well-planned sabbaticals, the results often transcend the individual to reach the organization itself. An extended leave can lead to new perspectives on behalf of the leader, the board and staff, and often energizes organizational innovation.

Executives from tribes and all nonprofit sectors are eligible to apply for the 2012 Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical Program that is designed to provide time away from the office for rest, personal renewal and professional growth.  The postmark deadline for applications is Oct. 1, 2011.

Those who hold the positions of CEO, president, executive director or tribal administrator can apply by downloading application materials from the Rasmuson Foundation website.

Leaders can also be nominated online, and an application package will be mailed to the nominee. Read more about the program here.

Bush Foundation's Native Nations Rebuilders Program
Application deadline: Thursday, September 15, 4:00 p.m. CDT  

Many of the leaders of the 23 Native nations the Bush Foundation serves told us that developing and supporting emerging Native leaders, as well as existing leaders, will be crucial to their nation's rebuilding success over the long term.

We seek candidates for a third cohort of Rebuilders who will bring determination and enthusiasm to this two-year program.  We will respond with training and the resources to support their participation. Together, we want to help ensure that, over the next decade, elected tribal leaders and the tribes they serve will have a cadre of skilled and courageous individuals dedicated to strengthening their nations.
Read more about the Native Nations Rebuilders Program or apply by clicking here.

Get Ready for the 2011 AISES National Conference – November 10-12, 2011
“FOOD FOR THOUGHT” MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

1,800 American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) members and friends from high-school juniors through executives joined us in 2010 in Albuquerque.  We hope you can join us this November in Minneapolis for:

• The largest career fair in Indian Country,
• Cutting-edge thought on key current STEM issues,
• Access to useful career resources,
• Top-tier networking opportunities,
• Information about graduate & internship opportunities,
• Professional development tracks & workshops,
• Showcases for academic research & study, &
• Fun social events, awards ceremonies, and traditional events.

All infused with Native community and cultural relevance!  Visit www.aises.org/nationalconference for more information.

http://www.nativetelecom.org/NAPT Announces the Open Call Results for FY2012 Films Recommended for Funding
Lincoln, Neb.: Native American Public Telecommunications, Inc. (NAPT) awards up to $500,000 combined annually to a select handful of production and research & development projects by filmmakers across the nation to produce documentaries for PBS stations.

"The goal of the open call is to increase the diversity of voices available to PBS viewers," says NAPT Executive Director Shirley K. Sneve (Rosebud Sioux).  "We encourage Native Americans to take on significant creative leadership roles, such as director, producer and editor.  We want Native voices to have creative control, and not just in an advisory capacity." For more information, click here.

PHILANTHROPY NEWS

Join The Center for Leadership Innovation (TCLI) for the 2012 National Summit
January 17-20, 2012, New Orleans

Our Future Beyond Crisis: Network Leadership for a 21st Century Social Sector

Today’s social sector leaders face a myriad of tough decisions as a growing number of communities turn to their organizations for services.  Many agree that the social sector needs to create its own “innovation revolution”.  Social sector leaders must form a network of peers with whom to share and develop innovative solutions—creating new paradigms to build the social sector’s future.

At The Center for Leadership Innovation (TCLI) our mission is to develop diverse leaders who envision, initiate and share breakthrough approaches to addressing society’s most challenging social issues.

Join us for the 2012 National Summit—a gathering of staff, emerging leaders and current executives of social sector, philanthropic, private and public sector organizations from across the country, as well as policy experts and thought leaders for a nationally relevant conversation about the future of the social sector.

2012 Summit themes will focus on the strategic and programmatic roles social innovation, multi-cultural leadership and cross-sector/network leadership will play in creating new paradigms and opportunities for success for leaders and organizations in achieving their social change and community development missions for a 21st century social sector.
To learn more and register, visit www.centerforleadershipinnovation.org.


Call for Applications: 2012 Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program & U.S. Diversity Fellowship
Are you a young community foundation or grantmaking professional?  Do you aim to strengthen community foundations and place-based philanthropy?  Want to increase your sector's impact in your local community?  Seek networking opportunities with Third-sector colleagues worldwide?  Aspire to lead your sector in new directions?

If you've answered yes to the above, apply now to the Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program and U.S. Diversity Fellowship (March 5 - May 25, 2012).

This is a leadership development opportunity for emerging Third-Sector practitioners to support community philanthropy and help build capacity in their home countries.  Fellows will participate in a three-month program that includes seminars and intensive sessions with leading practitioners. To read more about the fellowship, click here.

Save the Date: Restoring the Lifeblood: Water, First Nations, and Opportunities for Change
The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada and the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers' Network are co-hosting a two-day workshop on Restoring the Life Blood: Water, First Nations, and Opportunities for Change in Toronto on 5 and 6 October 2011. Save the date for this informative and dynamic session. 

Photo Credit: Joe Bryska and the Winnipeg Free Press

On 5 October you will hear from aboriginal leaders from across Canada working in their communities to affect change; on 6 October you will visit a First Nations community to better understand how water issues are affecting Canada's Aboriginal communities day-to-day. For more information, visit www.philanthropyandaboriginalpeoples.ca.

Join us for fun, food and learning at Minnesota's largest gathering of nonprofits!
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits 25th Annual Conference, Great Expectations: Our Communities, Our Future, is on October 6-7, at the RiverCentre in St. Paul.  Native Americans in Philanthropy will be presenting and moderating two sessions at this year’s conference:

• Tribal Philanthropy: Building Communities through Native Giving and Reciprocity
• Strategic Communication Planning and Action: Setting Priorities, Being Proactive and Improving Relationships

At the heart of the nonprofit sector is a belief that people can do things together that they can't do apart to make this a better community. Even in times of adversity, nonprofit organizations are the place where people go to express their hopes to change the future. It is these great expectations that we never want to lose sight of, no matter how difficult the situation. At MCN's 25th Annual Conference we will join together to support one another and build on this spirit of setting high expectations for the kind of society in which we choose to live.

Encourage Your Colleagues to Register for the Conference
Let your colleagues know what they'll be missing if they don't participate in the largest nonprofit event of the year.  Encourage your friends and colleagues to save on their registration by registering early!  Plus, they can take advantage of team registration and save even more - register three from the same organization and the fourth is free!

Scholarships (http://www.greatexpectations2011.org/scholarships.html) may also be available!
 
On Twitter? Follow @SmartNonprofits and tweet about what you're looking forward to at the conference with hashtag #MCN25.
 
Check Out the Full Schedule of Events
Take a look at the conference website to see the full schedule of events, full listing of breakout sessions and other conference highlights.   
 
 We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

RESOURCES

Recent demographic data reveal effects of economic slowdown in Indian Country
By Michael Grover, Community Development Manager for The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau confirm that economic trends on American Indian reservations in the Ninth District worsened or stagnated during the recent recession.

Between 1990 and 2000, several important demographic indicators revealed broad socioeconomic improvements for the 45 American Indian reservations located in the Ninth Federal Reserve District.  On average, household incomes of reservation residents increased, even after adjusting for inflation, and poverty and unemployment rates declined.  Recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) suggest that these positive economic trends have continued on some reservations in the Ninth District.  However, the data also reveal that during the recent recession and economic slowdown, poverty and unemployment rates on a number of reservations edged higher and incomes stagnated or declined.  Fortunately, most reservations have held on to the gains made between 1990 and 2000, despite the recent setbacks.
To read the full article, click here.

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) Hiring for Vice President of Programs

•    Vice President of Programs – leads the work of the program team, including conferences, publications, communications and membership.
To see the job posting, go to http://www.geofunders.org/employmentopportunities.aspx.


Dakota Wicohan Part-Time Grants Planner & Developer
Position Summary: The Grants Planner & Developer is a part-time contracted position to assist the ED with partnership and fund development.

Responsibilities:

• Research viable partners and funders that match needs of organization;
• Assist in planning for partnership and fund raising;
• Assist in proposal development;
• Assist in evaluation and contract reporting.

Qualifications:

• Have an understanding of language and culture revitalization;
• Hold a minimum of a four-year degree from an accredited college/university;
• Demonstrate success in fund raising from federal, state and private sources;
• Knowledge and experience working in or with non-profit organizations;
• Experience working with American Indian communities;
• Experience working with diverse communities;
• Be able to work effectively with others (elders, youth);
• Must have ability to work remotely;
• Be self-directed and able to work effectively with minimal supervision.

Conditions of employment: Employees in this job title are subject to the terms and conditions of an employment contract. Employment contracts are typically subject to review on a provisional three and six month basis and renewal on an annual basis.  This position would begin October 1, 2011.

Please submit cover letter, resume and 3 personal references.  Open until filled.

Contact: Teresa Peterson, Executive Director, 507-697-6272 or cell: 320-226-1227,
Dakota Wicohan, P.O. Box 2, Morton, MN  56270
dakotawicohan@gmail.com

For more resources from NAP, click here.
Visit our website for a complete list of job postings.

Got NAP? Can’t wait until the next e-Newsletter? Want More NAP now?
Get updates on what NAP is doing and where we are going. Join the Native Americans in Philanthropy Facebook Group or follow us on LinkedIn!!

Not a member of NAP? Or need to renew your membership?
It’s easy! Go online right now to and pay later: http://nativephilanthropy.org/membership/join_now

WAYS TO SUPPORT NAP
There are a number of ways you can support NAP. There is something for every level of commitment. Here are just a few:
 
Membership - You can become a member of NAP with a level of your choosing. Individual gifts from members provide a large source of funding for general operating expenses such as our office space, phones, and other daily activities that are not always supported through grants.  Check out the benefits of membership here.
 
In-kind services/donations – Promote your business or products to Native communities. Donate your products or services to NAP for distribution at NAP events, programs attendees, and other opportunities.
 
Corporate and Foundation underwriting – NAP has a range of regional and national work that is sustained though programmatic-supported grants. If you are a funder and you are interested in partnering with NAP or would like to know more about the work NAP is doing, contact Elaine.
 
Major Giving – Individuals may offer unrestricted, philanthropic support in larger amounts (typically $1000+). Major gifts are the sustaining funds that often support the ongoing, strategic efforts of NAP’s work across the country.
 
Endowment – Your gift can be designated to go into the NAP Endowment.  Endowments are funds that are earmarked and invested as principal to remain intact in perpetuity to ensure the security and growth of NAP.
 
Planned Giving - You can leave a powerful legacy — to ensure the future financial stability of Native philanthropy in your community.
 
Volunteer activities – You can volunteer your time to NAP. Volunteer opportunities range from helping with mailings to leading panel discussions at events and organizing special events.
 
How will you support NAP?  Email us today.