Trust-Based Philanthropy and Native American Heritage Month
“Don’t be afraid to be the first to invest, and make sure you aren’t the last.”
That’s the message CEO Clay Colombe shared at SOCAP in a session on Trust-Based Philanthropy as a Catalyst for Impact Investing.
November is Native American Heritage Month, which makes it a great time to shed light on the critical issue of philanthropic support for Native-led organizations. Native Americans and Alaska Natives make up about 3%of the U.S. population, yet Native-serving causes receive just 0.4% of philanthropic dollars*. Furthermore, the majority of annual grant dollars awarded in support of Native American causes actually goes to non-Native-controlled nonprofit organizations. On top of that funding to Indigenous communities typically comes with burdensome reporting requirements that contribute to perpetuating cycle of underfunding.
Trust-based philanthropy presents an opportunity to begin to close this gap, as well as build capacity for Native organizations to unlock the transformational investments that are needed to start to undo the generations of harm that have been inflicted on our communities.
Recently, our CEO Clay Colombe spoke at SOCAP, an impact investing conference, about what trust-based philanthropy has looked like for us, and what doors it has opened. Additionally, he highlighted World Wildlife Fund as an example of a trusting partner who has gone above and beyond financial support to ensure the long-term success of the project.
For us, the partners that have been the most transformative and led to additional catalytic opportunities have shared these three principles:
Principle 1: Be Humble and Ask Questions
One of the cornerstones of trust-based philanthropy is the willingness to leave preconceived notions behind and ask questions to understand the community’s need and their vision for addressing that need. Funders who truly understand the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the organizations they support -- who also honor the community’s autonomy and ownership -- have the most meaningful impact. We’ve found that conducting relationship-building site visits has been especially effective in ensuring all parties are value-aligned and have a shared commitment.
See it in action:
Years before the project's inception, WWF visited Rosebud to engage in a relational dialogue with tribal leadership about the idea of establishing a new buffalo herd. They also invited other folks who continue to support the project. The visit was about understanding the community's aspirations and being part of a shared vision.
Principle 2: Don't Be Afraid to Be First…
Native-led businesses and organizations are often incorrectly assumed to be “risky” investments, despite data to the contrary. Being the first funder of a project can be a catalyst for change. It opens doors, builds capacity, and paves the way for further support. In the case of Native-led initiatives, being the first to invest can unlock new opportunities, breathe life into innovative projects, and set the stage for transformative change.
See it in action:
WWF not only funded a feasibility study for the project but also covered our initial lease payment, amounting to over a quarter of a million dollars. The feasibility study gave us the assurance that the project was possible, and the early grant funding allowed us to get the project off the ground. Additionally, having the support of an organization with the experience and “brand recognition” of WWF gave others the confidence to invest in the project.
Principle 3: And Make Sure You're Not the Last
In trust-based philanthropy, funders go beyond providing financial support. Native communities and leaders have been intentionally excluded from positions of power and decision making for hundreds of years, which has left many of our communities isolated. We need our supporters to also act as connectors and amplifies by introducing us to other potential funders and collaborating on things like storytelling assets (photos, videos, news stories), op-ed placements, case studies, and more. Trust-based philanthropy creates a network of support that extends far beyond the initial contribution.
See it in action:
Crucially, WWF didn't stop at providing financial assistance. They introduced us to several other funders, many of whom ultimately ended up providing either grant or investment funds to the project. The collaborative efforts have paid off, as Wolakota now stands as the largest Native-managed bison herd in the world, with over 1,200 buffalo grazing on the land.
Moreover, WWF contributed to a significant media push, sharing the Wolakota story with their vast network of social media follower, donors, and magazine subscribers. They even ran a fundraiser, and passed those funds directly to us to fund early infrastructure needs. Lastly, WWF has helped us build a platform to share our story and continue to bring support to Sicangu Co. They facilitated op-ed placements and speaking opportunities, and sponsored professional-grade content through video and photo crews.
This Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Native-led organizations and reiterate the importance of trust-based philanthropy to uplift and empower our communities.
The Wolakota Buffalo Range project is a testament to the transformative power of trust-based philanthropy and we look forward to applying our lessons learned to continue to revitalize the Sicangu culture and economy.
