The First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is seeking applications for its Gather Food Sovereignty Grant to support Native American-led food sovereignty work.

With the generous support of the Indigenous Peoples Fund at Tides Foundation, First Nations will establish a Gather Food Sovereignty Grant that will support work contributing to building a national movement that will fulfill a vision of Native communities and food systems that are self-directed, well-resourced and supported by community policies and systems.

Funding Information

• Total requests for project budgets within this funding opportunity should not exceed $32,000.
• The grant period for this funding opportunity will commence March 1, 2021, and end February 28, 2022.

Grant Activities

• Examples of allowable activities under this funding opportunity include, but are not limited to:
  • Conducting a community food assessment to examine the economic impact of food system assets and plan next steps,
  • Projects aimed at increasing local food system control, including increasing access to fresh and healthy foods,
  • Increasing local food distribution and marketing to end-use institutions (eg: schools or local and tribal businesses) and larger markets, and/or
  • Strategic Community planning around food sovereignty projects
  • Increasing the capacity of food producers to manage environmental, community, and social/political impacts of policy on their food system
• Examples of unallowable activities under this funding opportunity include:
  • Lobbying
  • Entertainment
  • Capital construction projects (including the construction, purchase, renovation, and/or furnishing of facilities)
  • Funding of individuals
  • Development campaigns
  • Endowments
  • Scholarships or tuition assistance

Eligibility Criteria

Types of eligible applicants include, but are not limited to:

• Federal- and State-Recognized Tribal Governments (Tribal Government Programs, such as Tribal Arts Programs, Heritage Departments, Economic Development Entities, etc.)
• Native-controlled 501(c)(3) nonprofits
• Native-controlled community organizations with fiscal sponsorship
• Native 7871 Organizations

For more information, visit First Nations.