May 19, 2023 marks the second annual Native Nonprofit Day. Beginning May 1, donors, from large foundations to individuals, are encouraged to give to Native-led nonprofits directly. The campaign is supported by the Native Ways Foundation and culminates on Native Nonprofit Day.
The goal is not only to raise funding for Native nonprofits but to raise awareness of their importance and the difference these organizations make. Native-led nonprofits have close ties to Native communities and understand their strengths, making them the organizations best positioned to address community needs. Despite this fact, Native nonprofits are systemically under-funded, with large foundations generally allocating less than half a percent of their total annual grantmaking to Native communities. That is why Native Nonprofit Day is so important.
As a Native-led and serving charity, the American Indian College Fund knows the importance of this day and the awareness it brings. Without the generosity of our partners and donors, we would not be able to offer more than 4000 Native students scholarships and other support services each year. But there is still a great deal of work to be done, not just for our Native students, but for our Native communities as a whole. This Native Nonprofit Day, please spread the word on the good work that Native-led nonprofits are doing, and why it is important to support their efforts, not just on this day but every day.
