NDN Collective’s Community Self-Determination Grant

Deadline: 3-May-23

NDN Collective is proud to be offering the Community Self-Determination grant of $100k per year, for two years, to Indigenous-led organizations working in the defense, development, and/or decolonization of Indigenous Peoples and Mother Earth!

This grant opportunity will provide Tribal Nations, communities and organizations as an investment in Indigenous power and a means to foster equity and inclusion, and to reframe decision-making with those most impacted.

NDN Collective’s mission is to build the collective power of Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations to exercise their inherent right to self-determination while fostering a world that is built on a foundation of justice and equity for all people and the planet.

NDN works to transform systems, shift power and generate sustainable solutions through the following three core strategies:

• Defend
  • Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations defend and protect the land, air, water and natural resources.
• Develop
  • Indigenous Peoples, communities and nations are developed in a regenerative and sustainable manner based on their values and connection to land, culture and identity.
• Decolonize
  • Indigenous ceremonies, cultures, languages and ways of life are revitalized, recognized and celebrated.

Grant Purpose

• Community Self-Determination Grants are intended to support community-based and community- driven sustainable solutions in all three of NDN Collective’s core strategies to Defend, Develop and Decolonize. Grants are intended to  support and invest in the long-term visions, sustainability, and power building of Indigenous Nations, communities and Indigenous-led organizations, fortifying the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples to create a just, equitable, and sustainable world for all people and the planet. Significant, flexible, multi-year funding will include the infusion of general operating support, power building, capital and holistic support for comprehensive initiatives and specific programs.
• Community Self-Determination Grants are intended to strengthen and leverage long-term financial sustainability of Indigenous-led organizations, including capital support and investments. This type of funding will not only give Indigenous organizations the kind of runway that has been long understood as healthy for startups and private-sector companies, but transformative for community-based and grass-roots organizations, including those who are closest to the issues and the impact. While they fund national efforts, they intentionally prioritize grassroots, community-based efforts.  Climate justice and Indigenous justice are at the heart of the intent behind the Community Self-Determination Grant.

Approach

• NDN’s grantmaking approach is based on reciprocity and mutual aid, which may include thought partnership and power building resources. Relationship is at the core of this approach, encouraging systemic change and participation in which the people most affected take responsibility for one another and for changing systemic conditions. It is up to the community to determine the steps for true self-determination. NDN funds can support the material needs of communities while also addressing root causes and solution building that is shaped by the community. This approach encourages innovative, creative and free thinking for long-term change.
• These principles and the NDN Collective’s framework of Defend, Develop, Decolonize will be utilized as a lens in which to review and select grantee-partners.

Focus Areas

• DEFEND 
  • Efforts may include but are not limited to:
    • Protecting and reclaiming lands, water, and natural resources, such as;
      • Grassroots, frontline organizing and community mobilization to defend and protect clean water, air and land from extractive industries and exploitation;
      • Indigenous-led environmental movements and efforts to stop the extraction of the earth’s natural resources on and near tribal territories.
      • Direct action efforts of the climate and environmental justice movement.
• DEVELOP 
  • Efforts may include but are not limited to:
    • Community and economic development/resilience based on sustainable, regenerative principles,  climate change solutions and mitigation; such as;
    • Sustainable food systems, food sovereignty and security initiatives; sustainable community agriculture, gardens, food harvesting and processing, community hunting and fishing, sustainable herd management,  shared community food pantries and food distribution;
    • Community water initiatives; protecting or developing clean water sources; community pumps or wells, water purification and sanitation, ecological wastewater treatment systems, such as constructed wetlands, greywater systems, and composting toilet implementation, and bioremediation of contaminated soils and water;
    • Community planning and implementation of  sustainable, regenerative, and innovative solutions for community preparedness and resiliency;
    • Renewable energy sources, i.e.; wind, solar, geo-thermal
    • Energy transition that is environmentally, socially and economically just; that reduces carbon emissions and footprints; Net-Zero initiatives;
    • Financial planning and transition to  new or alternative revenue streams based on regenerative principles of economic and community development;
    • Resilient and regenerative infrastructure improvements or development, including housing, broadband or increased internet speed and capacity; improved or upgraded software systems and technological training to support virtual and tele-abilities to learn, access health, conduct business, up-to-date communications access;
    • Capital investments for economic mobility to diversify economies, long-term regenerative business development in various sectors, including decreasing risk of a larger investment; investments in building the capacity of people through education, training, and consulting to be well-equipped leaders in creating just, and resilient economies and infrastructure.
• DECOLONIZE-
  • Efforts  may include, but are not limited to:
    • Intergenerational transmission and continuity of language, culture, ceremonial practices, traditional governance and decision-making structures, and lifeways, such as:
      • Governance and leadership transformation, transition or development grounded in Indigenous values and practices, including constitutional reforms, reintegration of traditional governance structures, or decentralized, consensus-based decision making practices;
      • Indigenous health and safety; providing and reclamation of Indigenous health, wellness,  community care, healing and medicinal practices, including social, emotional, and cultural support;
      • Language revitalization – Community immersion programs; teacher preparation and language apprentice programs; family language nests;
      • Decolonized education models;
      • Youth, family and community initiatives to restore, renew and support Indigenous language, cultural  practices, creativity and lifeways;
      • Community harmony, safety and protection efforts, including addressing physical and sexual violence; Indigenous peace-making and conflict resolution initiatives, community restorative justice practices, protocols and teachings.

Funding Information

• Grants of $100,000 per year, with commitments of two years, are available to Indigenous-led organizations working in the defense, development, and/or decolonization of Indigenous Peoples and Mother Earth, with a maximum grant award of $200,000 for commitments over two years.

Criteria

• It is best to use a computer or laptop to complete registration, log-in and/or initial application.
• Chrome browser works best with the grant application online system.
• Please ensure that your organizational information is correct, i.e.; contact information, email address; telephone number.  Once it is submitted you cannot edit your profile information.
• Once you’ve registered or logged in, you will receive information via email on how to access your portal and complete the application forms.
• NDN cannot make any exceptions to the initial application/grant application deadline.  This includes incomplete applications, application mistakes due to user error, or faxed/emailed or mailed applications unless there has been prior approval by NDN Foundation staff.

For more information, visit NDN Collective.