Native Voices Rising

Announcing Native Voices Rising!

Common Counsel Foundation and Native Americans in Philanthropy are pleased to announce that Native Voices Rising (NVR) is now open for applications by Native-led groups with a membership base in the community that have a leadership development program and seek to take collective action to win progressive social change. Historically, less than 0.5% of foundation funding goes to support Native issues. This is a level of support that is inadequate to address the historic harms that Native people have experienced and the current need.

NVR provides general operating support grants to strengthen Native-led organizations in the United States that are improving the lives of their community members. To-date a total of $410,000 has been awarded to 43 grassroots Native community organizations that are involved in organizing and advocacy. Previous grantees are collectively engaging thousands of community members across ten states. They focus on a wide range of critical issues, from human and civil rights, to reproductive justice, to environmental health and sacred sites protection. Past NVR grantees had a significant presence at Standing Rock, advocating against the Dakota Access pipeline for the protection of land, water, and the recognition of Native sovereignty.

Donors that would like to add funds to this year’s pool can contribute online or contact Common Counsel Foundation.

Grantees can find more information and apply at www.NativeVoicesRising.org. NVR will make grants of up to $10,000 to support grassroots organizing led by Native communities. The application deadline is August 2, 2017.