Deadline: 16-Oct-2026
The Community Action Fund supports Indigenous-led initiatives focused on urgent, non-violent direct action and community organizing. It is designed to strengthen grassroots efforts that defend Indigenous rights and protect land, water, air, and natural resources across Indigenous territories in North America and related Island Nations.
The fund prioritizes rapid-response support for frontline communities engaged in movement-building and self-determined action.
Program Overview
- Supports Indigenous-led non-violent direct action initiatives
- Focuses on urgent and time-sensitive community organizing efforts
- Strengthens grassroots movement-building and advocacy work
- Prioritizes protection of land, water, air, and natural resources
- Centers Indigenous self-determination and leadership
- Provides short-term, rapid-response funding support
Key Focus Areas
- Non-violent direct action initiatives
- Community-led organizing and mobilization
- Indigenous rights advocacy and protection
- Movement-building and grassroots activism
- Environmental defense of land, air, and water
- Strengthening Indigenous sovereignty and governance
Funding Details
- Maximum grant amount: up to $15,000
- Maximum project duration: 6 months
- Designed for urgent and short-term initiatives
- Supports rapid implementation of community actions
- Focus on high-impact, time-sensitive work
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include Indigenous individuals, groups, and organizations across specified regions:
- Indigenous-led non-profit organizations
- Tribal Nations and their entities
- Alaska Native Villages
- Native Hawaiian organizations
- First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities in Canada
- Indigenous communities in Mexico
- Indigenous-owned businesses
- Individual Indigenous activists and community leaders
- Grassroots and frontline Indigenous groups
Geographic Eligibility
Applicants must be based within:
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Related Island Nations, including:
- Hawai’i
- Borikén / Puerto Rico
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- U.S. Virgin Islands
Program Priorities
- Indigenous leadership in all funded initiatives
- Protection of Indigenous rights and sovereignty
- Support for grassroots and frontline organizing
- Non-violent direct action strategies
- Community-driven solutions and advocacy
- Environmental and territorial protection efforts
Eligible Activities
- Community organizing and mobilization campaigns
- Peaceful protests and direct action initiatives
- Environmental protection and land defense activities
- Advocacy and rights-based awareness campaigns
- Coalition building and movement coordination
- Emergency response organizing efforts
- Indigenous-led policy and rights advocacy initiatives
Ineligible Activities
- Non-Indigenous-led initiatives without Indigenous leadership
- Violent or harmful activities
- Commercial or profit-driven projects unrelated to movement goals
- Projects outside eligible geographic regions
- Activities not aligned with Indigenous rights or self-determination
Program Objectives
- Strengthen Indigenous-led grassroots movements
- Support urgent responses to threats against Indigenous lands and rights
- Promote non-violent direct action strategies
- Advance Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination
- Build capacity for community organizing and advocacy
- Protect ecosystems and natural resources within Indigenous territories
Conclusion
The Community Action Fund provides rapid, short-term funding to Indigenous-led groups engaged in non-violent direct action and grassroots organizing. By supporting urgent movement-building efforts, the fund strengthens Indigenous sovereignty, protects natural resources, and empowers communities to lead responses to critical social and environmental challenges.
For more information, visit NDN Collective.
