Native Ways Federation

Support Native-led Nonprofits

Native Ways Federation was founded in 2008 by seven national Native-led organizations to increase support for Native nonprofits through donor education and advocacy. Our vision is a thriving Native-led nonprofit sector rooted in Indigenous values and ways of being.

Native-led organizations have the knowledge, relationships, and solutions to address the challenges Native communities face — yet they remain severely underfunded. Although Native people represent nearly 3% of the U.S. population, every year, large foundations provide less than 0.3% of total annual giving to Native-led organizations. This funding gap makes it harder for Native communities to implement their own solutions.

By donating to Native Ways Federation, you are helping us push for greater investment in Native-led nonprofits and amplify the voices of Native leaders. Together, we can build a future where Native communities are resourced to thrive on their own terms.

Your Support Fuels Our Work:

✅ Community Giving Campaigns: We lead #GiveNative on Giving Tuesday and Native Nonprofit Day to increase visibility and funding for Native-led organizations. This year, we launched the Power of 10: Give Native. Give Now. to highlight the urgent response needed in light of federal funding and staffing cuts that are impacting tribes and Native nonprofit programs.

✅ Native Nonprofit List: We host a growing list of Native-led nonprofits, making it easier for donors to find and support them. We were excited to re-launch the list in May 2025 on the MightyCause platform with fundraising tools to increase direct support for Native-led nonprofits.

✅ On Our Terms Report: We advocate for philanthropy to shift power and resources to Native-led organizations, highlighting their visions and solutions.

Donate today to support our mission — and help drive long-term, sustainable funding for Native-led nonprofits.

Our active founders are national, Native-led organizations working across issue areas, including higher education, STEM, legal justice and policy, community and economic development, child welfare, youth development, and preserving culture:

• American Indian College Fund (College Fund)
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
• Association on American Indian Affairs (The Association)
• First Nations Development Institute (FNDI)
• National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA)
• Native American Rights Fund (NARF)

Learn More at NativeWays.org

Please note: Native Ways Federation does not accept or distribute donations on behalf of our founding organizations or the organizations featured on the Native Nonprofit List at GiveNative.org. If you would like to donate to an organization, use their donation link or contact them directly.