Northwest Area Foundation

Guided by the wisdom of our grantees, we support organizations anchored in the culture of the people they serve and dedicated to expanding economic opportunity in under-resourced communities. We listen to our partners on the ground, learn about communities’ strengths and struggles, and lead others to great work already happening in the community. We prioritize work led by and for Native Americans, communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and rural Americans. Our grantees’ work advances good jobs and financial capability in the eight states and 75 Native nations of our region: Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington. We believe the wealth of our region is rooted in Native lands and communities—and we’re committed to both acknowledging and honoring that history. That’s why we’ve committed 40 percent of the Foundation’s grant dollars to Native-led organizations. At the heart of that dedication are Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) - a best-kept secret of opportunity for Indian Country. Native CDFIs are dynamic and trusted financial partners expanding economic opportunity and open doors to loans, credit, jobs, and much more. Rooted in the cultural and historical context of Native communities, Native CDFIs are weavers, connecting the elements necessary to build thriving local economies anchored in culture. Learn more about our funding approach at http://www.nwaf.org/our-approach-2/ Visit our Native CDFI portfolio at https://www.nwaf.org/portfolio/nativecdfi/