The Grand Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF) acknowledges that the community it serves in Kent County is the ancestral land of the Anishinaabe, Three Fires Confederacy, the Odawa people and several other Native American nations who lived in the region.

Over the last few decades, GRCF has supported Native American serving organizations through its Fund for Community Good and donor advised funds, but recently, GRCF has committed to developing a deep, trusting relationship in these communities.

GRCF shared in a recent issue of its PARTNERS in Community that in 2016, its grantmaking guidelines shifted to be more focused on racial, social and economic justice. This has required a broader reach into communities of color, including communities GRCF was not already in relationship with.

Janean Couch, program director at GRCF, has worked to listen, acknowledge and learn how the community foundation can be in better relationship with local Native nations.

“I’m excited because it’s an opportunity to do philanthropy differently—leading with trust and relationship and transparency and accountability,” Couch said.

According to GRCF, this new approach rooted in relationship building aligns with strategies outlined by Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) in addressing philanthropy’s funding gap for Native Americans.

NAP highlights strategies including adapting organizational systems and practices, providing long-term operating support and supporting Native American-led solutions. All of which the community foundation shares are built from relationships.

“It is going into conversations, acknowledging that we do not know it all, we have certainly gotten it wrong, and we are trying to do better,” Couch said.

Couch shared with CMF that acknowledging where the community foundation hasn’t been is an early step.

“We are learning and adapting. Like all relationships, the relationship we are building requires trust. We have been able to start building relationships by connecting with local leaders and community members individually and appreciate the opportunity to deepen our networks,” Couch said.

NAP will join us this fall during CMF’s 51st Annual Conference to lead an interactive workshop for CMF members interested in building relationships with Native communities and who are eager to engage with Native-led and Native-supporting nonprofits.

During the session, attendees will discuss strategies and tools to equip their foundation with the resources needed to take the next step.

“I’m looking forward to connecting with others to hear how they are listening, building relationships and investing with humility in their communities. I’ve also enjoyed a variety of virtual learning opportunities led by NAP and am excited to engage in an in-person learning opportunity led by their team. The CMF Annual Conference is always a valuable opportunity to learn with and from peers,” Couch said.

Want more?

Read the full article in Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s magazine PARTNERS in community.

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