News & Press

Third Year of Native Nonprofit Day is Announced

Third Year of Native Nonprofit Day is Announced

St. Paul, Minn. (February 16, 2024) – Native Ways Federation (NWF) announces the official date for the third year of Native Nonprofit Day. Native Nonprofit Day is a giving initiative aimed at increasing support for Native-led organizations nationwide in a movement...

Indigenous Data Sovereignty

Indigenous Data Sovereignty

Native Ways Federation (NWF) Executive Director Carly Bad Heart Bull, JD (Flandreau Santee) was honored to be featured in Atmos’ recent article regarding the fight for Indigenous data sovereignty. Writer Kate Nelson delves into the topic of how false data is just...

National American Indian Heritage Month Letter

National American Indian Heritage Month Letter

Han Mitakuyepi (Hello) Friends and Relatives,   As National American Indian Heritage Month begins, and as we approach what is often called the “season of giving,” I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the opportunities we have before us to be generous with our time,...

Official #GiveNative Native Nonprofit List Is Here!

Official #GiveNative Native Nonprofit List Is Here!

Native Ways Federation (NWF) is officially launching a curated list of Native-led nonprofits to be made available to the public in anticipation of #GiveNative on November 28, 2023—the largest giving day of the year.   In an effort to educate and advocate for Native...

Getting Smart on Supporting Native Communities

A Panel at the 2023 CEP Conference (Boston, MA) Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 02:30 PM - 03:45 PM EDT Despite findings from multiple sources, including CEP research, that Native communities are being overlooked by philanthropy, large gaps in the basic understanding...

#GiveNative Kickoff Call for Native Nonprofits 2023

We are excited to kickoff the 2nd Annual #GiveNative campaign for Giving Tuesday! Through this recording, you'll learn about #GiveNative, all of the resources we have created, and how your organization can participate any way you are able. #GiveNative is a community...

On Our Terms: Supporting a Thriving Native Nonprofit Sector

A Virtual Panel at CHANGE Philanthropy's UNITY Summit (Los Angeles, CA) Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. PDT For too long, non-Native people have been telling Native people and nations what a healthy nonprofit and capacity building should look like....

In-person Convening in Minnesota

In-person Convening in Minnesota

Native Ways Federation recently hosted an in-person convening that included team members, founding members, and other Native nonprofit leaders to discuss Native nonprofits in the philanthropic field…

Native Ways Federation Stands With ICWA Decision Ruled by SCOTUS

Native Ways Federation Stands With ICWA Decision Ruled by SCOTUS

St. Paul, Minn. (June 15, 2023) – Native Ways Federation (NWF) announces their support of the Supreme Court of the United States’ (SCOTUS) ruling, in the case of Haaland v. Brackeen, in favor of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) on Thursday, June 15, 2023.   The...

Celebrating the Impact of the First Nations Development Institute

Celebrating the Impact of the First Nations Development Institute

The First Nations Development Institute (FNDI) improves economic conditions for Native people through direct financial grants, technical assistance and training, and advocacy and policy. FNDI is one of Native Ways Federation’s founding organizations and a fellow...

Highlighting the American Indian College Fund

Highlighting the American Indian College Fund

The American Indian College Fund is dedicated to supporting Native students in pursuing and completing higher education. To that end, they invests in Native students and Tribal colleges to transform lives and communities.  For more than 30 years, the College Fund has...

The Inspiring Service of the Association on American Indian Affairs

The Inspiring Service of the Association on American Indian Affairs

The Association on American Indian Affairs (Association) is the oldest nonprofit dedicated to serving Indian Country! The Association is focused on protecting Tribal sovereignty, preserving culture, educating Native youth, and building capacity.   “Native Nations and...

What Donors Need to Know About Native-led Nonprofits

So you want to support Native communities – great! Learn how to get started or improve existing efforts. The second annual Native Nonprofit Day will be held on Friday, May 19! Through this webinar you will learn about Native communities, the importance of Native-led...

Groundbreaking Work of the Native American Rights Fund

Groundbreaking Work of the Native American Rights Fund

Join us in celebrating one of Native Ways Federation's founding members, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF)! NARF is the oldest, largest nonprofit legal organization defending the rights of Native tribes, organizations, and people.  “All our nonprofits need to...

Celebrating the Impact of AISES

Celebrating the Impact of AISES

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) was founded in 1977 and is committed to widening the Native science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce. In addition to providing 45 years of supporting Native students and professionals,...

Joining Native Nonprofit Day Wherever You’re At

The second annual Native Nonprofit Day will be held on Friday, May 19! We know you're working hard to support your communities. Learn how to join the Native Nonprofit giving movement and get the support you need to accomplish your goals with whatever capacity you...

Indian Country Today Features Native Nonprofit Day

Indian Country Today Features Native Nonprofit Day

Native Nonprofit Day Debuts on Indian Country Today's Newscast In last month’s feature by Indian Country Today, Native Nonprofit Day shared the spotlight with fellow powerhouses Tazbah Chavez, writer and director of Reservation Dogs, and Bill Parker, a Choctaw...

2022 GiveNative Campaign Workshop

Learn more about the #GiveNative Campaign on Giving Tuesday, launching Tuesday, November 28, 2022! Discover how your organization can participate and use our social media resources to gain momentum for giving towards Native-led nonprofits. Plus, we are joined by...

#GiveNative Campaign on Giving Tuesday

Learn about Native Ways Federation’s new #GiveNative campaign during the largest giving day of the year: Giving Tuesday! Then explore new resources to help Native-led nonprofits!

Native Nonprofit Day featured by Native News Online

Native Nonprofit Day featured by Native News Online

“Native-led organizations have the solutions to the issues our communities are facing,” Native Ways Foundation Executive Director, Carly Bad Heart Bull, JD. (Flandreau Santee), said in a statement. “We know our strengths and are best positioned to help our people. The...

Native Ways Federation to launch first Native Nonprofit Day  

Native Ways Federation to launch first Native Nonprofit Day  

The Native Ways Federation (NWF) is excited to announce its inaugural Native Nonprofit Day on May 20, 2022. Native Nonprofit Day is a giving campaign aimed at increasing support for Native-controlled nonprofits. NWF encourages all Native-led nonprofits, foundations,...

Thoughts from our Members this Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Thoughts from our Members this Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Friends and Relatives, Leading up to Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, October 11, we will be sharing thoughts from our member organizations on the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, their successes and hopes, and ways you can support their work. We hope you will...

NWF Executive Director speaks on COVID and the Native Community

NWF Executive Director speaks on COVID and the Native Community

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwd5NXzrKHs   "Host, Ashlei A. Rodgers, MPH has a candid conversation with Carly Bad Heart Bull, Executive Director of Native Ways Federation, Inc. Hear them talk about the impacts of COVID-19 on the Native Community and how they...

NWF Executive Director named MN Attorney of the Year

NWF Executive Director named MN Attorney of the Year

People who contributed to the Bde Maka Ska name restoration include, pictured clockwise from upper left, Max Kieley, Liz Kramer (Circle of Excellence honoree), Carly Bad Heart Bull and Christina Brown. Not pictured are Sherry Enzler and Fiona Ruthven. February 26,...

NWF Collaborates with National Charity Evaluator

NWF Collaborates with National Charity Evaluator

Blog Series with Charity Navigator highlights the work of Native-led non-profits November 20, 2020 — Native Ways Federation Executive Director, Carly Bad Heart Bull, recently contributed to a blog post featured on Charity Navigator’s website highlighting the...

NWF Statement of Solidarity and Support from Minneapolis

NWF Statement of Solidarity and Support from Minneapolis

St. Paul, Minn., June 4, 2020 — George Floyd’s family and friends celebrated his life, and mourned his death, today at his memorial. It has been just over a week since Mr. Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer, while other officers stood by, complicit in...

Our Mission

The mission of the NWF is three-fold: (1) strengthen the circle of giving by uniting Native organizations to raise awareness and support for the communities we serve; (2) better serve Native communities by becoming more effective Native nonprofit organizations; and (3) ensure that nonprofit organizations working on behalf of Native communities observe the highest levels of ethical standards and fiscal responsibility. NWF is unique in that it is the only federation in the country directly serving Native nonprofits that assist Native peoples and communities in Indian Country. NWF is based on the idea that the challenges facing Indian Country demand that nonprofits serving this population hold themselves accountable to the highest standards.