First Nations Development Institute

First Nations Development Institute believes that when armed with appropriate resources, Native peoples hold the capacity and ingenuity to ensure the sustainable, economic, spiritual and cultural well-being of their communities. We are a Native American-led nonprofit organization based in Longmont, Colorado, but we serve American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities across the U.S.

Our mission is to strengthen American Indian economies to support healthy Native communities. We invest in and create innovative institutions and models that strengthen asset control and support economic development for American Indian people and their communities.

With the support of individuals, foundations, corporate and tribal donors, First Nations Development Institute improves economic conditions for Native Americans through technical assistance & training, advocacy & policy, and direct financial grants in six key areas:

Achieving Native Financial Empowerment
Investing in Native Youth
Strengthening Tribal & Community Institutions
Advancing Household & Community Asset-Building Strategies
Nourishing Native Foods & Health
Stewarding Native Lands
First Nations is the most highly-rated American Indian nonprofit in the nation. Indeed, for the ninth year in a row, First Nations has received the top 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator — only 4% of the nonprofits it rates achieve this highest distinction for nine consecutive years. Learn more financial information about First Nations.

Founded in 1980, First Nations began its national grantmaking program in 1993. Through year-end 2020, we have successfully managed 2,150 grants totaling $43 million to Native American projects and organizations in 40 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. Territory American Samoa.

All opportunities from First Nations Development Institute are published on DevelopmentAid under Funding Agency "NGO".