Native Ways Federation
We strengthen the circle of giving by uniting Native organizations, supporting Native communities, and observing the highest level of ethical standards.
About Us
The Native Ways Federation (NWF) was founded in 2008 by a group of seven national Native-led nonprofit organizations to activate and expand informed giving to nonprofits in Indian Country through donor education and advocacy:
- American Indian College Fund (College Fund)
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
- Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA)
- First Nations Development Institute (FNDI)
- National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA)
- Native American Rights Fund (NARF)
- Running Strong for American Indian Youth (Running Strong)
NWF’s focus on donor education and advocacy, combined with helping donors understand the ethical environment around giving in Indian Country, fills a gap that has historically resulted in bringing more harm than good to Native people and communities as well as to the nonprofits who serve them. While well intentioned, all too often, uninformed donors invest in organizations that do not act in the best interest of Native people, or shy away from investing at all due to broad public misconceptions and misinformation about Native people and communities.
In The News
Native Nonprofit Day featured by Native News Online
“Native-led organizations have the solutions to the issues our communities are facing,” Native Ways Foundation Executive Director, Carly Bad Heart Bull, JD. (Flandreau Santee), said in a statement. “We know our strengths and are best positioned to help our people. The...
Native Ways Federation to launch first Native Nonprofit Day
The Native Ways Federation (NWF) is excited to announce its inaugural Native Nonprofit Day on May 20, 2022. Native Nonprofit Day is a giving campaign aimed at increasing support for Native-controlled nonprofits. NWF encourages all Native-led nonprofits, foundations,...
Our Mission
The mission of the NWF is three-fold: (1) strengthen the circle of giving by uniting Native organizations to raise awareness and support for the communities we serve; (2) better serve Native communities by becoming more effective Native nonprofit organizations; and (3) ensure that nonprofit organizations working on behalf of Native communities observe the highest levels of ethical standards and fiscal responsibility. Native Ways Federation is dedicated to uplifting, supporting, and advocating for the Native nonprofit sector. We are strengthening the circle of giving through our work in promoting more equitable philanthropy in support of Native-led solutions. NWF is based on the idea that the challenges facing Indian Country demand that nonprofits serving this population hold themselves accountable to the highest standards.