NCAI Foundation

Empowering Tribal Nations: A Historic Endeavor

The National Congress of American Indians Foundation (NCAIF) emerges as a historic undertaking, uniquely situated at the nexus of both time-honored and contemporary cultural legacies of Native Peoples, the power of tribal governments, and authentic partnerships with the philanthropy sector. As the philanthropic arm of NCAI, our mission is profound and unprecedented: to support Tribal Nations in a transformative journey toward shared prosperity and resilience.

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Join us in this extraordinary journey of empowerment.

Our approach is multi-faceted, firmly rooted in four core pillars — upholding Tribal Sovereignty, empowering Tribal leadership, cultivating youth leadership, and fortifying Tribal Nations. However, we're more than just a source of financial support; we're a bridge, a connection point that opens doors for Tribal Nations to engage with the philanthropic sector, fostering collaboration, strategy development, partnerships, and the directed flow of resources to uplift Tribal Nations across a multitude of endeavors.

Our Vision

NCAI Foundation envisions a future where Tribal Nations are centered as beacons of collaboration and global leadership. Guided by ancestral wisdom and contemporary innovation, we strive for well-resourced Tribal Nations, empowered voices, and united efforts that support healthy, sustainable communities.

Our Mission

The NCAI Foundation's mission is to rally Tribal Nations toward shared prosperity and resilience through an equity and sovereignty framework. Serving as a nexus for tribal and philanthropic collaborations, we channel expertise and assets to confront challenges and ensure a seamless distribution of funds to Tribal communities. With unwavering dedication, NCAIF empowers Tribal Nations to develop solutions with global significance.

Strategic Focus Areas

About the NCAI Foundation

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of tribal governments and communities. For the past 80 years, NCAI has stood on the front lines protecting, convening, and advocating on many issues and policies impacting tribal sovereignty and Native peoples. The National Congress of American Indians Foundation (NCAIF) emerges as a historic undertaking, uniquely situated at the nexus of both time-honored and contemporary cultural legacies of Native peoples, the power of tribal governments, and authentic partnerships with the philanthropy sector.

As the philanthropic arm of NCAI, our mission is profound and unprecedented: to support Tribal Nations in a transformative journey toward shared prosperity and resilience. Through a multi-faceted approach, grounded in four core areas—Upholding Tribal Sovereignty, Empowering Tribal Leadership, Cultivating Youth Leadership, and Fortifying Tribal Nations—we aim to be far more than a financial resource. NCAIF provides a connecting point for greater access between Tribal Nations and the philanthropic sector to convene, develop strategies, partner, and direct more resources to support tribal communities in multiple bodies of work.