Proposals Sought for Native Arts-Related Capacity Building from First Nations Development Institute

Request for Proposals: Grants Available to Strengthen Capacity of Native Organizations and Tribal Programs That Serve the Field of Native American Arts and Artists

LONGMONT, Colorado (Nov. 30, 2015) -- First Nations Development Institute (First Nations [ http://www.firstnations.org ]) today launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) for grants under its Native Arts Capacity-Building Initiative. First Nations will award up to six grants of up to $30,000 each to strengthen the organizational, managerial and programmatic capacity of Native American-controlled nonprofit organizations and tribal government programs that have existing efforts in place to serve the field of Native American arts and artists in tribal communities in four states – Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

"As a cultural asset for Native communities, art has been an integral part of sustaining Native nations, cultures, languages and traditional beliefs, thereby shaping community and family ties and cultural pride," noted First Nations President Michael E. Roberts. "We believe the continuing development of Native American art is an indispensable component of Native community economic development and the retention of Native cultures. Through direct grants and technical assistance and training under this initiative, we want to increase the organizational, managerial and programmatic capacity of selected direct-service Native organizations in an effort to enhance their long-term sustainability, stability, vibrancy and economic impact in their tribal communities."

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Mountain Time on Friday, January 15, 2016. Eligible applicants must have existing program initiatives in place that emphasize strengthening the field of Native American arts and building the capacity of Native American artists in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. All applicants must fully complete the First Nations online grant application, including the submission of all necessary attachments.

Types of eligible entities include but are not limited to:

* Federal- and State-Recognized Tribal Governments (Tribal Government Programs such as Tribal Arts Programs, Heritage Departments, Economic Development Departments, etc.)

* Reservation-Based and Select Non-Reservation-Based Native American Museums

* Tribal Cultural and Heritage Centers

* Tribal Colleges

* Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)

* Native-Controlled 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organizations

* Native 7871 Organizations

* Native Chambers of Commerce

For-profit organizations and individual artists are not eligible. First Nations does not require federal recognition for tribal governments to apply, but they must have state recognition. More information and the online grant application can be found here: http://www.firstnations.org/grantmaking/2016NACBI [ http://www.firstnations.org/grantmaking/2016NACBI ].

These grants will be the third annual awards of a three-year project. This First Nations initiative is made possible through generous funding from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation [ http://macphilanthropies.org/macfoundation/ ] of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

About First Nations Development Institute

For 35 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cultural heritage or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native American communities. First Nations serves Native American communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit http://www.firstnations.org [ http://www.firstnations.org ].