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 Strengthening Native Programs & Feeding Families Grant Program by First Nations targets the severe issue of food insecurity among Native American communities. The program's primary goal is to support Native-run nonprofits, tribal programs, and community groups devoted to reducing hunger through effective food distribution. The grant program emphasizes the importance of infrastructure development, capacity building, enhancing food distribution logistics, and promoting access to healthy foods for Native communities. First Nations aims to facilitate the movement of approximately 240,000 pounds of food throughout the grant’s lifecycle, expecting each grantee to distribute about 5,000 pounds of food annually. Through this initiative, First Nations plans to award 12 tribes or Native-run nonprofits or Native community groups with grants averaging $10,000 each annually for four years, supporting a total of 48 entities. Projects eligible for this grant are those that address food insecurity needs specific to Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian communities, strengthen Indigenous food systems, provide clear action plans with measurable goals, demonstrate a capacity for significant food distribution, and showcase the ability to measure and share their project's impact.