A new online tool has launched to provide education and increase awareness around the history and challenges facing Native communities and how funders can get involved.
A new online tool has launched to provide education and increase awareness around the history and challenges facing Native communities and how funders can get involved.
Last week Native Americans in Philanthropy – an organization committed to promoting equitable and effective philanthropy in Native communities – and Candid – the new organization that brought together Foundation Center and GuideStar – announced a new, first-of-its-kind website to share with philanthropy what’s being funded when it comes to supporting Native communities, the gaps that exist and how to build equity for Native communities.
The new site and accompanying report highlight the need for more investments in Native communities. The data shows that since 2006, of all the philanthropic funding by large U.S. foundations, on average, 0.4% is directed to Native communities.
As Native Americans in Philanthropy has shared, Native communities across the country are still facing deep disparities.
Native Americans in Philanthropy’s U.S. data at a glance:
81 percent of Native men experience violence in their lifetime.
84 percent of Native women experience violence in their lifetime.
Native children are overrepresented in the foster care system at more than 2.6 times the average rate.
Native youth commit suicide at a rate that is 2.5 times higher than the national average.
Native youth are 5 times more likely to be placed in the criminal justice system than white youth.
Our state is home to 12 federally recognized Native American tribes, in fact, Michigan is among the 10 states in the country with the highest population of Native Americans.
In a few weeks at CMF’s 47th Annual Conference, CMF will be offering cultural learning opportunities and discussions with the help of Sarah Eagle Heart, Native Americans in Philanthropy and local tribal communities about the rich culture of Native Americans in our state, the systemic barriers Native populations face and the partnerships they’re powering in communities.
Tribal communities in Northern Michigan have worked closely in collaboration with philanthropy to address critical needs in the region. In a breakout session during the Annual Conference, we will explore how foundations can engage with tribal communities to begin to cultivate relationships to address regional needs.
On the national level, Native Americans in Philanthropy is engaging with funders across the country and philanthropy serving organizations like CMF to lift up these issues and how philanthropy can get involved.
The organization also recently released a new Truth and Healing Movement Toolkit which provides a collection of multimedia resources, including a transformational experience called the Blanket Exercise, a participatory history lesson that will be offered to conference attendees.
It’s all part of Native Americans in Philanthropy’s ongoing work over the next year which will include regional convenings, healing circles and cultural learning tours to support healing work following centuries of disparities and racism.
Want more?
Due to limited space, pre-registration is required to participate in The Blanket Exercise on Tuesday, October 8 at Annual Conference. Sign up today.
Check out the data and resources included in Investing in Native Communities.
