W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grant to First Nations Will Help Build Capacity of Local & Regional Nonprofits

LONGMONT, Colo., Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) has been awarded a $306,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan, under the foundation's "Catalyzing Community Giving" effort. First Nations will use the grant to collaborate with smaller local or regional Native American nonprofit organizations to build their internal capacity while engaging new donors – both Native and non-Native – around those organizations' efforts in building sustainable food systems and strengthening Native culture among youth. 

First Nations will work with 10 organizations  in its two-year pilot project, called "Nurturing Native Giving," that is intended to strengthen their fundraising effectiveness, with a primary focus on individual giving. First Nations will create a web portal that profiles the 10 participants, highlights their work, and which allows convenient donations to each organization. Further, First Nations will assist them in publicizing and marketing the portal and all funds raised will be directed back to these communities.  

First Nations also will provide significant training and technical assistance to the participating organizations through coaching, webinars and an online learning community to share resources and build the group's collective knowledge and best practices from their own organizations. It will also facilitate a dialogue between project participants and Native grantmaking tribes and other funding entities in hopes that mutually beneficial partnerships can be established. Three convenings and a white paper will summarize the learnings and policy recommendations that can lead to increased giving in Native communities and, ultimately, grow the body of knowledge about Native philanthropy.

"First Nations has long known that developing a strong and healthy nonprofit sector in Native communities is one key to economic diversification and service delivery," said First Nations President Michael E. Roberts. "This program will expand the reach of local Native nonprofits and improve charitable giving to Native causes and communities."

About First Nations Development Institute: Please visit www.firstnations.org.

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Please visit www.wkkf.org.

Program Contact:
Eileen Egan, First Nations Associate Director of Development & Senior Program Officer
[email protected]
(303) 774-7836 x215

Media Contact:
Randy Blauvelt, First Nations Senior Communications Officer
[email protected]
(303) 774-7836 x213

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140212/DC63440LOGO

SOURCE First Nations Development Institute