American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN)
In 2018, the Foundation was shocked to learn that the American Indians/Alaska Natives (“AIAN”) community received only two-tenths of one percent (0.2%) of the huge reservoir of philanthropic dollars. Further insight revealed additional factors that have contributed to the challenging environment facing AIAN.
- Twenty-three percent (23%) of the AIAN community live in poverty;
- AIAN has lower educational attainment than the broader population;
- Almost half the AIAN community are renters and thus more transient;
- High rates of unemployment and homelessness are endemic.
Moreover, the AIAN community suffered a significant 4.9% undercount in the 2010 Census, a decade’s long continuation of past results. Contributing to this undercount, although 60% of this population lives in urban areas, 40% live in remote areas or on reservations where different dialects of native languages are still spoken. Large undercounts have a significant negative effect on the allocation of funds for Federal programs. Not surprising, AIAN voter turnout is the lowest amongst people of color. Upon learning about the dismal conditions and obstacles facing AIAN communities across the country, the Foundation made an initial grant to the National Urban Indian Family Coalition (“NUIFC”). According to NUIFC, this was the first civic engagement grant received by the organization. Consistent with the Foundation’s longstanding practice, this grant required NUIFC to regrant to its state network to encourage educational outreach among the urban populations.
Further support was needed to prevent another significant undercount in the 2020 Census. In recognition of this fact, in 2019, the Foundation provided funding for comprehensive 2020 Census compliance to three (3) national AIAN organizations:
National Urban Indian Family Coalition (“NUIFC”)- Founded in 2003, this organization elevates a national voice for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban communities and sustains indigenous values and culture through a strong network of urban Indian organizations. The organization strives to build positive and mutually supportive relationships with tribal governments and other institutions for the betterment of children and families who live in urban communities.
Native American Rights Fund (“NARF”) – Founded in 1970, NARF is the oldest and largest non-profit dedicated to asserting and defending the rights of Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and individual Indians nationwide. The heart of NARF’s mission is empowering individuals and communities whose rights, economic self-sufficiency, and political participation have been systemically eroded and undermined. For the past 48 years, NARF has represented over 275 Tribes in 31 states in such areas as tribal jurisdiction, federal recognition, land claims, hunting and fishing rights, religious liberties, and, more recently, voting rights.
National Congress of American Indians Fund (“NCAI Fund) – established in 1957, is the nonprofit public education arm of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most representative organization comprised of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments and their citizens. The NCAI Fund’s mission is to educate the general public, and tribal, federal, and state officials about tribal self-government, treaty rights, and policy issues affecting Indian tribes, including providing educational outreach to tribal nations and their citizens with respect to civic engagement involving voting rights, and robust census participation.
In early 2020, the Covid 19 Pandemic caused health and economic devastation around the world, but the United States was especially hard hit. In fact, the pandemic was so devastating, that the 2020 Census, a once in a decade constitutional requirement, had for the first time in history, been extended from July 31, 2020 to October 15, 2020. The pandemic caused such catastrophic damage to AIAN communities that census response rates were less than 20% compared to national response rate of over 60% by July of 2020. In recognition of this dire situation, the Foundation provided substantial grants to these three national organizations to restart the census count within their coalitions. The urgent action was needed to prevent another ten years of insufficient resources to Indian country.
Based on the severe challenges of the AIAN community, the Foundation decided to embark on a multi-year strategy to build capacity and infrastructure. This vision and mission required the creation of an AIAN Ecosystem (link to a new page with all the AIAN organizations listed and linked to their websites) composed of national and state community- based organizations committed to collaboration and partnership. The Foundation recognizes that funding only national organizations would not reach deep into the local AIAN communities. Just like the AAPI program, it was essential to invest directly into states with the highest density of the Native American populations. The goal in each state is to have an “Anchor” who would build a coalition of urban and tribal groups. These groups would work with NUIFC, NCAI and NARF on federal advocacy and policies. In addition, these groups would work together to share best practices and lessons learned that affect local and state issues. By working together to leverage limited resources, this AIAN Ecosystem will achieve maximum impact in states with significant AIAN populations.