BACKGROUND 

Indigenous peoples have lived in the right relationship with Mother Earth, as custodians and guardians of the land for generations. The climate crisis will remain just that if Indigenous communities are not centered, invested in, and leading solutions for both conservation and climate change. Indigenous leadership to support, protect, and conserve land can reverse and mitigate climate destruction.

Despite contributing the least to this crisis, and having ancient and traditional solutions, Indigenous-led organizations receive a small percentage of philanthropic climate funding. In addition, Indigenous and tribal leaders have been largely excluded from regional and national discussions on both climate change and conservation. Decolonizing Wealth Project is disrupting the flow of philanthropic capital to save our planet, recognizing that with Indigenous communities at the center, Mother Earth can heal.

Since 2021, our fund Liberated Capital has redistributed over $4 million to Indigenous-led organizations and tribes driving solutions on climate and conservation issues.

THE OPPORTUNITY 

This year, the Indigenous Earth Fund will invest an additional $1 million in Indigenous-led organizations and tribes working to build political power, movements, and lead campaigns to drive Indigenous solutions around climate change and conservation issues in the United States. 

This year we will prioritize movement-building efforts and advocacy campaigns that center Indigenous self-determination and promote:

• Power building, advocacy, convening, and/or capacity building around Native-led climate and conservation efforts
• Sustainable food systems
• Land and forest management
• Protection and conservation of water sources and natural resources
• Indigenous-led data and research to advance advocacy efforts on climate and conservation solutions

We value and understand the importance of our sovereign tribal governments in this work and encourage projects led by, or partnered with, tribal nations. We also welcome joint proposals between tribes and/or Native-led organizations working toward common goals. 

Grant awards will likely range from $50,000 – $75,000 for one year. We operate through a trust-based model, so grants will be untethered resources that enable Indigenous-led organizations to get the work done how and where they see fit. The solutions and ideas will vary, and that’s ok! We want to celebrate and invest in the diverse wisdom Indigenous communities have cultivated for thousands of years. 

Grant decisions will be made by the IEF Advisory Committee, all of whom are Indigenous experts and leaders.

WHO’S ELIGIBLE? 

• Only Indigenous-led organizations/coalitions are eligible.
• We welcome proposals from tribes, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native-led organizations.
• Grant dollars must be paid to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or federal tribal entity; state-recognized tribes must apply through a 501(c)(3). We accept applications from fiscal sponsors.
• Individuals are not eligible.
• Applicants must be based in the United States.
• Coalitions and organizations working on advocacy campaigns to center Indigenous solutions in climate and conservation efforts.
• Funding must be used for a charitable purpose (no direct lobbying).
• We will also prioritize current grantee partners deeply engaged in climate and conservation campaigns, policy and advocacy work

2024 GRANTEE PARTNERS- Read the Press Release 

Continuing grantee partners 

• Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians – Portland, OR
• Aloha Kuamoʻo ʻĀina – Kailua-Kona, HI
• Bering Sea Elders Group – Anchorage, AK
• Brave Heart Society – Lake Andes, SD
• Children of the Setting Sun Productions – Bellingham, WA
• Ekvn-Yefolecv – Weogufka, AL
• Flower Hill Institute – Jemez Pueblo, NM
• Great Plains Action Society – Iowa City, IA
• Hawaiʻi Peace and Justice – Honolulu, HI
• INDIGENOUS LED – Santa Fe, NM
• Mālama Loko Ea Foundation – Haleiwa, HI
• Native Movement – Fairbanks, AK
• Nihikeya – Pinon, AZ
• Northern Chumash Tribal Council – Guadalupe, CA
• Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples – Marina del Rey, CA
• San Juan Collaborative for Health Equity, Dine’ Centered Research Evaluation – Yatahey, NM
• Save California Salmon – Orleans, CA
• Sicangu Community Development Corporation – Mission, SD
• Water Protector Legal Collective – Albuquerque, NM
• Wishtoyo Foundation – Ventura, CA

New grantee partners 

• California Indian Museum & Cultural Center – Santa Rosa, CA
• Confederated Tribes of The Goshute, Duckwater Shoshone, Ely Shoshone – Baker, NV
• Grandmothers Growing Goodness – Nuiqsut, AK
• Lāhainā Strong, a Project of Our Hawaii Foundation – Kailua, HI
• Maidu Summit Consortium – Chester, CA
• Mazaska Talks – Seattle, WA
• Shinnecock Kelp Farmers – Southampton, NY

PREVIOUS GRANTEE PARTNERS 

2023

• Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy – Washington, DC
• Amah Mutsun Land Trust – Santa Cruz, CA
• Bering Sea Elders Group – Anchorage, AK
• Great Plains Action Society – Iowa City, IA
• Hawaiʻi Peace and Justice – Honolulu, HI
• Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture Institute – Kykotsmovi, AZ
• INDIGENOUS LED – Santa Fe, NM
• Local Video Productions – Tulsa, OK
• Mālama Loko Ea Foundation – Haleiwa, HI
• Nihikeya – Pinon, AZ
• Nisenan Miwok Collective – the Lands of the Hill Nisenan of the Sierra Nevada Foothills
• Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians – Portland, OR
• Aloha Kuamoʻo ʻĀina – Kailua-Kona, HI
• Brave Heart Society – Lake Andes, SD
• Children of the Setting Sun Productions – Bellingham, WA
• Ekvn-Yefolecv – Weogufka, AL
• Flower Hill Institute – Jemez Pueblo, NM
• Honor the Earth – Ponsford, MN
• Native Movement – Fairbanks, AK
• Northern Chumash Tribal Council – Guadalupe, CA
• Resources Legacy Fund – Sacramento, CA
• Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples – Santa Monica, CA
• SAGE Development Authority – Fort Yates, ND
• San Juan Collaborative for Health Equity, Dine’ Centered Research Evaluation – Yatahey, NM
• Save California Salmon – Orleans, CA
• Sicangu CDC – Mission, SD
• Water Protector Legal Collective – Albuquerque, NM
• Wishtoyo Foundation – Ventura, CA

On January 20, 2022, we announced the redistribution of $1M+ to the following organizations:  

• Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians – Portland, OR
• Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition – Sacramento, CA
• Children of the Setting Sun Productions – Bellingham, WA
• Indian Country Grassroots Support – Farmington, NM
• Indigenous Environmental Network– Bemidji, MN
• Indian Land Tenure Foundation – Little Canada, MN
• Native Movement – Fairbanks, AK
• Native Organizers Alliance – New York, NY
• Northern Alaska Environmental Center – Fairbanks, AK
• Protect the Sacred (Harness) – Marina del Rey, CA
• SAGE Development Authority – Fort Yates, ND
• Save California Salmon – Orleans, CA
• Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, In – Arcata, CA
• Sicangu CDC– Mission, SD
• Sogorea Te’ Land Trust – Oakland, CA
• Water Protector Legal Collective – Albuquerque, NM

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Frequently Asked Questions

• Click here for the IEF FAQ document. This document will be updated as additional questions are received.

Informational Webinar

A recording will be available and uploaded to our YouTube Channel.

WHAT’S NEXT?

We keep raising money and awareness to support this multi-year campaign.

And the work doesn’t stop with our grants. We’re committed to identifying the best ways to elevate the work of Indigenous-led conservation and climate efforts across the country.

Interested in supporting this work? Reach out to us at lauren[at]decolonizingwealth.com,

Press inquiries: decolonizingwealth[at]sunshinesachs.com