First Nations Development Institute celebrates record year
Mar. 23—First Nations Development Institute, a Longmont-based nonprofit serving Native American communities throughout the United States, is commemorating its "most impactful year" in a history that spans over four decades.
Last year, First Nations put more than $12 million towards grassroots initiatives in Native American reservations and villages through direct financial grants, as well as through advocacy and educational programs, according to its 2022 impact report.
"Because foundations give so little money to Indian causes, we kind of feel like we need to ... do everything right," said Michael Roberts, president and CEO of First Nations. "So we go above and beyond to make sure that people can feel assured that we'll spend their money well."
The nonprofit was founded in Virginia in 1980 but has been in north Longmont for 10 years at 2432 Main Street. Roberts said Longmont is a good headquarters for the nonprofit, putting it close to other indigenous outreach organizations along the Front Range, such as the Native American Rights Fund in Boulder and the American Indian College Fund in Denver.
"It makes a lot more sense for us, because most of our constituents and people we work with are in the West," said Roberts. "(But) I don't think Longmont necessarily knows we're here."
With outreach in 38 states, First Nations supports economic justice and development for Native populations. It does this by investing in food and agriculture initiatives, helping reservation communities access credit, offering fellowships and providing financial assistance to Native-controlled nonprofits.
Roberts explained that it wasn't until the passing of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act in 1975 that Native Americans have been the ones managing the services administered to them.
"It's really only been within the last 40 years or so that Indians have been able to take control of their own economic destiny," he said. "And we're excited that we got to be a part of that."
Most of the funding for First Nations comes from private foundations; less than 10% of funding comes from individual donors, with an even smaller percentage from government grants. By working with philanthropic partners, the nonprofit raised over $6 million for COVID-19 emergency response grants during the pandemic, which took two and a half years to distribute.
"We just exhausted that fund about three weeks ago," Roberts said.
Roberts said the next big thing on the horizon for the nonprofit is the launch of the Tribal Lands Conservation Fund initiative, aimed at bringing more Native American voices into discussions on ecological conservation. He said money will be raised from individual donors and is set to launch this summer.
"We think that indigenous peoples, who have been sustainably managing lands here in the U.S. since time immemorial, should be part of that conversation," Roberts said. "So we're going to invite ourselves."
Jackie Francke, vice president of programs and administration, currently oversees the New Mexico field office in Albuquerque. First Nations also has a California field office; both locations were established around five years ago. The nonprofit has around 40 staff members, the majority of whom are of Native American descent.
"For me, growing up on a reservation and understanding the challenges that a lot of our Native people struggle with ... I like the idea of advocating for Native people and making sure the issues are communicated properly," said Francke. "I think we are very intentional about that."
