BACKGROUND

Indigenous peoples have lived in harmony 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 and leading solutions for both conservation and climate change. Indigenous leadership to support, protect and conserve land can reverse 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 nations and communities are largely excluded from regional and national discussions on both climate change and conservation. Decolonizing Wealth Project seeks to disrupt the flow of capital to save our planet, recognizing that with Indigenous communities at the center, the Earth can heal.

WHAT IS THE INDIGENOUS EARTH FUND?

The Indigenous Earth Fund is seeded by a $1 million investment from our fund, Liberated Capital.  In September 2021, we invited proposals from Indigenous-led organizations doing the work, building political power, building movements, and leading campaigns on climate change and conservation issues in the United States.   

Eligible work could include movement-building efforts and organizing campaigns that center Indigenous self-determination that promote sustainable food systems; land and forest management; protection and conservation of water sources and natural resources. This list is not exhaustive. 

We operate through a trust-based model, so our grants are untethered resources that enable our grantee partners to get the work done how and where they see fit. We want to celebrate and invest in the diverse wisdom Indigenous communities have been cultivating for thousands of years. 

In addition to grants, we will also be investing in a wider ecosystem to support networking and multi-organization coalescing in support of movement building across Indigenous communities, with funding that advances these efforts to bridge the disconnect between policy, philanthropy, and Indigenous wisdom.  We also will help convene Indigenous-led organizations, including inter-tribal organizations and networks, to elevate and discuss strategies and best practices that address the current climate crisis.  

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Proposals were evaluated by the Indigenous Earth Fund Advisory Committee, which is comprised of Indigenous movement leaders:

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

READ THE PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING THE FIRST COHORT! 

FIRST COHORT DATA

*some proposals covered multiple regions of the United States, focus areas were identified by grantee partners during application process.

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 info@decolonizingwealth.com to set up a call with our team.

Press inquiries: decolonizingwealth@sunshinesachs.com