Native Voices Rising awards $4 million to Indigenous advocacy groups

Native Voices Rising (NVR), an Oakland-based participatory grantmaking collaboration between Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) and Common Counsel Foundation, has announced grants totaling $4 million to 145 Indigenous and Native-led advocacy groups in support of social movements that amplify Native voices.

The grants—a 14 percent increase in funding year over year—were awarded to organizations addressing critical issues, including environmental and climate justice, water protection, food sovereignty, culture and language revitalization, women- and two-spirit-led activism, among others. Recipients include the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions (San Antonio), Bering Sea Elders Group (Anchorage, Alaska), Cheyenne River Youth Project (Eagle Butte, South Dakota), Native Sisters Circle (Elk Grove, California), and Turtle Mountain IMPACT (Boston).

This year’s funding includes 16 multi-year awards to organizations deeply aligned with NVR’s theory of change. Since 2013, NVR has awarded grants totaling $16.6 million.

“These Native-led organizations are creating transformative change for our communities through culturally grounded, community-driven approaches,” said NAP chief executive Erik Stegman (Carry the Kettle First Nation-Nakoda). “The Native Voices Rising grants represent a vital shift in philanthropy—one where Native people set priorities, shape funding, and recognize the leadership of their peers.”

For a complete list of grantees, see the NVR website.