Deadline: 16-Jul-23
The Na’ah Illahee Fund (NIF) is accepting applications to provide resources for Native communities across the Greater Northwest region who are located in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and British Columbia.
As Native people, Na’ah Illahee Fund sees the land as a living entity and they tailor their work and grantmaking to support this concept for their relatives. They work in relationship with Mother Earth to strengthen her living systems in acts of support, reciprocity and respect. Na’ah Illahee places high value on sustainability projects in Indian Country that provide long-lasting results and move us towards regenerative economies. Water is sacred, as is its protection. Revitalization of their waterways is critical to rejuvenate their homelands. NIF provides support for the development and integration of projects geared toward stormwater management, clean waterways and land restoration; as well as renewable energy, energy sovereignty, and solid waste management. They support restoration and stewardship of culturally relevant sites and promote the healing of the land. They encourage organizations to apply who address unjust policies that have disproportionately resulted in decades of environmental degradation and negative impacts on Indigenous peoples’ lands.
What they Seek to Support
- They seek to fund the development of projects that aim to revitalize and strengthen Mother Earth and her living systems. They are looking to fund the capacity of groups who are doing the work and will implement Integrated and Green Infrastructure projects in their community.
- Project must include at least one of these focus areas:
- Integrated Water Systems: Wastewater treatment, potable water treatment (drinking water), reusable water and greywater recycling systems
- Projects that reduce and treat stormwater: Permeable pavements/depaving, bioswale soil/plant systems, urban tree canopy, rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, green streets and alleys, green parking, green roofs, and stormwater reuse
- Implementation of Clean, Renewable Energy: Energy systems from natural sources such as sunlight, wind or biomass
- Projects aimed at energy footprint reduction and a green economy through the use of solar or wind energy (transitioning from non-sustainable energy sources such as fossil fuels)
- Energy Sovereignty: projects addressing modernization of Tribal communities’ control over their own energy systems through integration of clean energy systems and regulation through planning and policy development (transitioning from non-sustainable energy sources such as fossil fuels)
- Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems: Waste prevention, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recovery and Composting
- Land conservation and the restoration of culturally significant sites, habitats, and ecosystems.
Funding Information
- Awards up to $50,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Indigenous or First Nation-led nonprofit organizations or community groups with Fiscal Sponsor (80%+ Indigenous people in a leadership role With Tribal Affiliation)
- Native American Tribes, First Nation Bands or Departments of Tribal Governments/First Nation Bands
- For NIF, Indigenous includes anyone who holds tribal affiliation/identifies with Indigenous nations in North, Central, or South America or identifies as Native Hawaiian.
- If you are a community group in need of Fiscal Sponsorship please contact Denise Rubeck. These will be determined on a case by case basis.
What types of groups are they unable to support?
- They are passionate about their beliefs and they want to be sure that the organizations that they support match their ethics.
- As a result, their Green Infrastructure Grant does not provide grants to:
- Groups that practice or promote racism, sexism, homophobia, or any form of oppression or exploitation of other humans or the natural world
- Participate in, promote or support violence, aggression, or oppression or any infringement on other people
- Force, coerce or exclude others based on religious or spiritual beliefs
- Are not making an effort to be environmentally responsible
- Are connected to political parties, political rallies or otherwise partisan in their work.
For more information, visit NIF.
