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 $2 million to Indigenous-led organizations and tribes driving solutions on climate and conservation issues. Building on this work, we are excited to announce an additional $1 million funding opportunity for both current and Indigenous Earth Fund grantee partners and new organizations. We are most interested in supporting systemic and policy change efforts driving Indigenous climate change and conservation solutions in the United States.

THE OPPORTUNITY 

This year the Indigenous Earth Fund will invest an additional $1 million from our fund, Liberated Capital. We are inviting proposals from 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. 

Examples of the work we seek to fund may 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, or 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. This list is not exhaustive. 

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 been cultivating 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 Inuit-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. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• FAQs 
• Informational Webinar: View it here.

2023-2024 GRANTEE PARTNERS

The new grantee partners for the Indigenous Earth Fund:

• 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

The continuing grantee partners for the Indigenous Earth Fund:

• 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

PREVIOUS GRANTEE PARTNERS 

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