Investing in Native Communities is Easy!

native-giving

Did you know that only three-tenths of one percent of foundation funding goes to Native causes? Yet Native Americans represent over two percent of the population. Through NativeGiving.org First Nations Development Institute hopes to address this disparity by raising aNative Giving photowareness of and direct support for grassroots organizations in Native communities doing remarkable work. These organizations are developing solutions to ensure the health and well-being of our most valuable resource – our children.

We encourage you to visit NativeGiving.org to learn more about the featured organizations and then please make a generous donation. Fully 100 percent of your gift will go to the designated nonprofit of your choosing and more organizations are being added in the coming months. Making a difference is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4.

Simply:

1. Choose a Cause – or Causes (http://www.nativegiving.org/partners)
2. Make a Gift
3. Know You’re Making A Difference
4. Repeat the Good Deed and Feel Even Better

Kids and baby goatSitting Bull once said, “Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.”

We hope you will help us do just that by making a gift today to one of these causes and help ensure the future of Native communities.

NativeGiving.org is a project of First Nations and is supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation under the foundation’s “Catalyzing Community Giving” initiative.

Campaign Update: NativeGiving.org Matching-Gift Challenge Met!

At the end of 2015, each of the organizations featured on www.NativeGiving.org participated in a $500 Matching-Gift Challenge with incentive awards for highest number of gifts and most funds raised. Created by and for Native people, this giving platform exists to raise awareness of the remarkable initiatives that are making a real difference in the lives of Native children and families at the grassroots level.

Each of the participating organizations worked very hard during the campaign to conduct local outreach in creative ways via social media, email marketing, peer-to-peer fundraising by staff members — and even a booth at a community market on Molokai!

We are delighted to report that all eight participating organizations met their goal of $500 during the Matching-Gift Challenge. Congratulations to STAR School, Leadership Institute at the Santa Fe Indian School, Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Oyate Teca Project, Sust’ainable Molokai, Tewa Women United, College of Menominee Nation, and Zuni Youth Enrichment Project!

The participating organizations received training in emarketing, peer-learning opportunities and received technical assistance to prepare for the campaign. “The help of everyone made this possible! Congratulations to everyone for taking risks and all the encouragement,” said Tewa Women United Executive Director Corrine Sanchez.

The NativeGiving.org cohort raised a total of $14,176 during the campaign period with a total of 201 gifts. With the matching-gift incentives, that’s a total of $20,176 to further the missions of these high-impact organizations!

The two incentive awards – one for the highest number of gifts and one for the most funds raised – went to:

  • Award for Highest Number of Gifts for the Matching Campaign: Tewa Women United (Española, New Mexico) with 84 gifts during the campaign. 
  • Award for Most Funds Raised for the Matching Campaign: Sust’ainable Molokai (Kaunakakai, Hawaii) raising $5,305.

NativeGiving.org was developed by First Nations Development Institute to maximize its national influence and direct more investments to worthy nonprofits in Native America such as those featured on this site.

By Eileen Egan, First Nations Associate Director of Development & Senior Program Officer

Spotlight on Zuni Youth Enrichment Project

In Zuni, New Mexico, Zuni children and teens are getting opportunities to explore their heritage, an experience that is increasing their self-esteem and helping them see new opportunities for the future.

“It means so much for these kids to know who they are and where they’re from,” said Zowie Banteah-Yuselew, program coordinator for the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project (ZYEP). “It lets them know they have a purpose greater than themselves.”

Since 2012, First Nations Institute (First Nations) has fostered this purpose, granting almost $120,000 to ZYEP through the First Nations Native Youth and Culture Fund and the Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative.

With this funding, ZYEP has made it possible for more than 500 children to benefit from sports, summer camps, after-school programs, community gardens, trails and playgrounds throughout the community. ZYEP programs and projects not only engage children and youth in a positive environment, they have a direct impact on key challenges faced in the Zuni community.

Zowie Banteah-Yuselew

According to Banteah-Yuselew, many Zuni youth — like other young Native populations across the country — deal with pressures of not having quality role models and influences, not identifying with their ancestry, and not being able to communicate effectively. These pressures can leave Zuni youth vulnerable to issues such as childhood obesity, suicide, teenage pregnancy and substance abuse. ZYEP works to restore Zuni cultural ties and reestablish core values in the community, which can protect at-risk youth.

“Through our programs, we give them a positive atmosphere, a sense of camaraderie and a safe place to learn, grow and move forward,” Banteah-Yuselew said. “Students end up being more comfortable. They learn to have pride in their heritage.”

Creating Places of Safety and Culture
ZYEP projects reach Zuni children who may not have safe, culturally enriching places to go when they’re not in school. After school and on weekends, ZYEP students take part in activities that keep them active and help them develop a deeper connec

tion with their culture through activities like storytelling, hiking, fishing and gardening. During three sports seasons a year, more than 160 ZYEP children get an opportunity to play basketball, baseball

and soccer, nurturing their self-esteem and laying the groundwork for a healthy adulthood.

In addition, every summer, up to 70 children attend ZYEP summer camp to participate in sports and crafts and learn about nutrition, health and traditional Zuni practices. Through all ZYEP programs and activities, children are able to learn and interact in a safe, supervised environment that is rich in Zuni culture and heritage.

Revealing Potential

Leading the summer camp are 17 youth mentors, who are hired and trained by ZYEP. To become camp counselors, teens must go through a selective application and interview process.

Dr. Valory Wangler

“Many youth in our community do not have a means to obtain summer jobs,” said Dr. Valory Wangler, ZYEP director of development. “Through the process of applying to work at ZYEP summer camp, teens practice skills that are critical for their career development and for their future success.”

Youth mentors also go on a weekend leadership trip, which immerses them in training to become counselors and lets them explore places of their ancestry, often getting special access to archeological sites and Native areas based on their heritage. Banteah-Yuselew said the experience helps youth form a positive group of peers. It also deepens their connections with their culture, giving them a sense of identity and confidence in what they can achieve. She said many youth mentors go on to work in education and youth development on their own or return to lead ZYEP programs.

Promoting Health

ZYEP programs foster a healthy, active lifestyle for children, and have a measurable impact. After the 2014 summer camp, reports show children had an increase in physical activity of 10 minutes per day, a decrease in soda consumption of 9.3 ounces per day, and overall improvements in strength and performance.

Kaleia Vicenti, a student who is involved in many ZYEP programs, said, “ZYEP helps me stay active. If we didn’t have these programs we would always be inside watching TV.”

Moreover, ZYEP recognizes that healthy kids make healthy families and healthy communities. The organization builds trails and playgrounds with motivational Zuni symbols, creating spaces that promote physical activity in a culturally affirming environment. The program also engages families in caring for a community garden, and helps them reconnect with Zuni practices in farming and water conservation.

Sustaining Change

Support from First Nations has helped position ZYEP for ongoing growth. ZYEP is a partner in First Nations’ Native Giving.org initiative, which has increased the organization’s exposure and improved development efforts. With its bolstered infrastructure, ZYEP has been able to identify additional donors and receive a $3 million grant from ArtPlace America to incorporate arts and culture into its community development work.

“Through First Nations, our impact has grown with every grant,” said Banteah-Yuselew. “We’ve also been able to take advantage of monthly check-ins, professional development conferences, and networking opportunities to share best practices.”

Wangler added, “First Nations has made a tremendous difference in helping ZYEP get the word out, continue and expand our programs, and ultimately reach more youth.”

Learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project at www.zyep.org.

By Amy Jakober

Investing in Native Children, Families & Communities Easy as 1, 2, 3, 4

Did you know that only three-tenths of one percent (.003) of foundation funding goes to Native causes? Yet Native Americans represent over two percent of the population. Through NativeGiving.org First Nations Development Institute hopes to address this disparity by raising awareness of and direct support for grassroots organizations in Native communities doing remarkable work. These organizations are developing solutions to ensure the health and well-being of our most valuable resource – our children.

We encourage you to visit NativeGiving.org to learn more about the featured organizations and then please make a generous donation. Fully 100 percent of your gift will go to the designated nonprofit of your choosing and more organizations are being added in the coming months. Making a difference is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4.

Simply:
1. Choose a Cause – or Causes (http://www.nativegiving.org/partners)
2. Make a Gift
3. Know You’re Making A Difference
4. Repeat the Good Deed and Feel Even Better

Sitting Bull once said, “Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.”

We hope you will help us do just that by making a gift today to one of these causes and help ensure the future of Native communities.

NativeGiving.org is a project of First Nations and is supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation under the foundation’s “Catalyzing Community Giving” initiative.

By Eileen Egan, First Nations Senior Program Officer and Associate Director of Development