Greetings

Podcasts, Photo Albums, DVD's, Reports and Regional Gatherings! Native Americans in Philanthropy is proud to exhibit the success of the Native Philanthropy Institute as seen and heard on our podcasts and photo albums. The full Institute Report is in final editing and will be distributed to members within the month. We are planning a regional gathering in the Los Angeles area in February. The Board is convening in retreat in July to discuss and approve our next steps in member services and greater engagement of you - our members - toward using philanthropy as a tool for self-determination. We are also very proud to welcome our newest staff member, Carrie Day-Aspinwall!

Watch your inbox as events and resources will be arriving regularly.
And have a wonderful summer!

View Slideshow & Download Podcasts Now!

Joy, Neely and Carrie

Native Americans in Philanthropy announces its 2006-2007 Board of Directors

Native Americans in Philanthropy announces its 2006- 2007 Board of Directors, including the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors: Shelley Butler-Allen, LuAnn Leonard, Lori Pourier, Rick Williams, and Jackie Tiller. One Board member was elected to a second, three-year term; three Board members rotated off and were thanked for their service; and a new slate of officers was appointed.

Board of Directors

Membership Update by Carrie

We are excited to welcome Carrie to the team at Native Americans in Philanthropy as the Membership and Program Coordinator. Carrie Day-Aspinwall, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe was born and raised in the Phillips Neighborhood of Minneapolis which is also home to one of the highest population of Urban Indians in the Nation.

Membership Update

Greetings/Boozhoo (Ojibwe)

Well, spring has definitely sprung and we are moving right into summer. I hope this update finds you all enjoying the nice weather.

I have been officially serving as your Membership and Program Coordinator since April 24th and have had an opportunity to meet some of you at the Native Philanthropy Institute as well as through some of my travels. I have also found the emails that I have received over the past 30+ days to be quite interesting and informative as I continue to get my "philanthropy" skins on.

As you know, Native peoples in the field philanthropy, Funders of Native American projects, Tribes, Native non-profits, individuals, Native and non-Native organizations are all welcome and encouraged to become members and support the good work of Native Americans in Philanthropy. For those of you whom have supported our organization in the past, we welcome you once again to support this most important work for the benefit of our Native peoples.

Our ability to leverage and expand our efforts across the philanthropic arena continues to build and bridge the capacity not only of our organization but our Native peoples. It is through your support that Native Americans in Philanthropy will continue to provide premiere events, continue to bolster Native leadership, and most importantly broaden and deepen our philanthropic network. With your commitment of membership, Native Americans in Philanthropy will continue to utilize philanthropy as a tool for self- determination and an expression of our sovereignty.

Renew your membership today or become a new member and enjoy reading about:

• The history of our organization
• Our past and recent Accomplishments
• News from across the Philanthropic Network
• Conferences, Regional Gatherings and other major events
• Job Postings
• Many Links to other Native (and non-Native) Organizations from across the Nation
• And of course, a list of Members

I look forward to meeting each and every one of you. Should you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me today.

GeeGahWahBahMin/Ojibwe
See you soon!

Carrie Day-Aspinwall
Membership & Program Coordinator
phone: 612.724.8798, voice mailbox 3

Learn more about Carrie.

Grotto Foundation Selects 8 Fellows For Philanthropic Leadership Development Program

The Grotto Foundation's American Indian Family Empowerment Program launched a two-year Native leadership program and selected eight American Indian fellows, each from a different tribe. Serving in an apprentice capacity to the AIFEP Advisory Committee, the fellows will engage in a variety of philanthropic leadership development activities, including fiduciary management, philanthropic administration and grantmaking, to advance American Indian leadership within the local philanthropic arena and promote AIFEP as a model for philanthropic decision-making and giving for Native communities. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Unleashing Resources Initiative funded the leadership program. AIFEP is also working in partnership with Native Americans in PhilanthropyÕs Circle of Leadership Program.

A New Approach to Grant Making

Native Americans in Philanthropy is an active participant in discussions to promote and build new approaches to grantmaking.

A New Approach to Grant Making By Robert K. Ross, The Chronicle of Philanthropy

A new grant-making approach is paving the way for philanthropies to better support people and causes that are too often ignored ÷ and offering an opportunity to cultivate new nonprofit leaders and donors.

Community-based "focus funds" are small, vibrant grant-making organizations created by people who are connected not just by location, as with community foundations, but also by shared experience and culture, such as race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. Because the approach is similar to a community foundation, many focus funds are housed at those institutions.

Download this article...

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Check out this web blog as a delegate with the International Indian Treaty Council documents her experience at the United National Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Web Blog: United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

NIEA Urges Congress to Pass Native American Language Immersion Legislation

Article: Washington - June 2006
On the heels of his moving testimony to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs concerning the rapid decline of Native languages, President Wilson calls for all of Indian Country to rally around pending legislation that would support Federal funding for Native American Immersion Programs.

Read this Article...

Giving Strength

"Giving Strength" For Vibrant Communities and Vital Leadership - the latest issue of the Bush Foundation news, which highlights Native Communities, is available here.

Welcome to the Advocacy Institute

For over 20 years, the Advocacy Institute has helped social justice leaders in the U.S. and abroad work more effectively for change through training in advocacy skills, networking with other activists, and one-on-one coaching. They provide participants with tools and resources to:

• Plan and implement successful advocacy campaigns
• Manage and evaluate coalitions
• Develop effective messaging for the media and key stakeholders
• Build effective organizations
• Ensure victories can be sustained in the long-run

To learn more about the Advocacy Institute's range of services and programs, and how they might collaborate with your organization, read about their services, methodology, and results.

Important Dates for Native Americans in Philanthropy

The Power of Giving Conference
July 26-27, 2006
Grand Ronde, Oregon

West Coastal Native Philanthropy Regional Gathering
February 5, 2007
Los Angeles, California

UNITY Summit - (Grantmakers Only)
February 6-7, 2006
Los Angeles, California