Giving Compass' Take:
- Here are resources that can help communities and philanthropists understand the experiences of Indigenous communities and how best to support them.
- What can donors do to help center Indigenous voices on vital social issues?
- Find more resources on Indigenous communities here.
What is Giving Compass?
We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. Learn more about us.
While many look forward to the Thanksgiving holiday, we need to recognize that this is a day of mourning for Native Americans due to the centuries of racism, oppression, and violence experienced as a result of European colonization. In reflecting on this as Native American Heritage Month draws to a close, we have gathered a few resources that we hope will help you and your organizations to continue to build your knowledge and understanding of these communities and their experiences with the philanthropic sector so that you can best support and include them during the year ahead.
Indigenous Philanthropic Professionals Report
Released in March of this year, this report works “to strengthen representation of Indigenous communities and professionals” and “serve as a mechanism for change.” Among the report’s key takeaways is that, despite an increase in Native philanthropic professionals, funding for Native communities remains abysmally low. “We have been pushing philanthropy for quite a while to fund general operations and not make it tied to a specific program,” Native Americans in Philanthropy Vice President of Indigenous Leadership and Education Programs Brittany Schulman (Waccamaw Siouan) told Tribal Business News. “Multi-year grants can be a game-changer for nonprofits and tribes in Indian Country. Philanthropy has a long way to go to understand some of the contexts so they can do their job better in funding our people.” In addition to the landing page for the report linked above, you will also find a video recording of a webinar that explores the report’s findings.
“Increased funding for Native Americans can’t be a passing trend”
The disparate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Native American communities created “a new awareness and willingness by philanthropy to tackle some needs.” Here, Midwest Early Recovery Fund’s Heidi Schultz offers advice for how to make these communities part of—and priorities in—your funding strategies.
Read the full article about Indigenous communities' experiences by Jesse Rhodes at PEAK Grantmaking.