Supporting Indigenous Populations

Some of our readers may be interested in philanthropy related to indigenous populations. Let's review a few of these items that I have come across, all of which are available online:

Delgado, Louis T. A Demographic Profile of Independently Incorporated Native American Foundations and Selected Funds in the United States. Minneapolis, MN: Native Americans in Philanthropy, 2006. 24 p.
Provides basic demographic information on 60 Native American-controlled philanthropic organizations: 36 Native American foundations, 15 nonprofit organizations, and nine tribal funds.

Adamson, Rebecca. "Indigenous Peoples and Philanthropy: Colonialism by Other Means?" Alliance, vol. 11 (December 2006): p. 40-1.
A degree of distrust between some foundations and indigenous organizations has emerged over time due to cultural misunderstandings. The author suggests that grantmaking can be more effective when funders employ a holistic approach to philanthropy that provides enough flexibility for indigenous peoples.

Gordon, Ken. "The Fine Line of Funding in Indian Country." Grantmakers in the Arts Reader, vol. 18 (Spring 2007): p. 13-5.
Gordon explains how important it is to respect the indigenous cultures of grant applicants when gathering information from them. He draws from his grantmaking experience as former chief executive of Trust Waikato, a community foundation in New Zealand. Gordon is currently the executive director of the Potlatch Fund, based in Seattle.