For 40 years, First Nations Development Institute (First Nations), a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has worked to strengthen American Indian economies to support healthy Native communities by investing in and creating innovative institutions and models that strengthen asset control and support economic development for American Indian people and their communities. First Nations began its national grantmaking program in 1993. Through mid-year 2020, First Nations has successfully managed 1,928 grants totaling more than $40.2 million to tribal and community institutions across Indian Country. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org.
First Nations recognizes that Native food systems are important assets to Native communities. As a result, First Nations has long supported Native communities as they fortify traditional food systems, seek to increase access to healthy and fresh foods, increase awareness of and involvement with where food comes from, and expand knowledge of the linkages between foods, Native cultures, and/or contribute to tribal economic growth and development of entrepreneurial-related food ventures.
With the generous support of the Indigenous Peoples Fund at Tides Foundation, First Nations will establish a Gather Food Sovereignty Grant that will support work contributing to building a national movement that will fulfill a vision of Native communities and food systems that are self-directed, well-resourced, and supported by community policies and systems. This opportunity is targeting emerging projects that focus on developing Tribal Food Sovereignty. Through the first round of the Gather Food Sovereignty Grant, First Nations expects to award up to 13 grant awards of approximately $32,000 to support Native American-led food sovereignty work.
The grant period for this funding opportunity will commence March 1, 2021, and end February 28, 2022.
Total requests for project budgets within this funding opportunity should not exceed $32,000.