For over four decades, First Nations Development Institute has championed the economic empowerment of American Indian communities. It works to reinforce Native economies through the establishment of innovative institutions and models, aiming to enhance asset control and bolster economic development for American Indian individuals and their communities.
The California Tribal Fund, a project of the First Nations Development Institute, is designed to empower California-based tribes or tribally-controlled non-profit organizations in asserting self-direction over their food systems and resources. Through the Food Sovereignty and Local Control of Food Systems grant opportunity, the fund aims to support a statewide movement that encourages California Native communities to manage their food systems that are well-resourced, self-directed, and bolstered by community policies. Averaging $40,000, 10-12 grants will be awarded for activities that include community food assessments, strategic planning around food sovereignty, projects enhancing local food system control, improving local food distribution and marketing, and capacity building efforts related to community planning and food sovereignty.