As
the Potlatch Fund achieves success in attracting
new resources, we are realizing one of our key
objectives—to serve as a grantmaking foundation
for Northwest Indian Country.
As a grantmaking
foundation, the Potlatch Fund is reaching out
to individual donors and private foundations without
a history of giving to Native communities. We
also encourage tribal foundations to better leverage
their funding to attract additional money. And
we serve as a conduit to enhance the work of donors
and foundations with established histories of
providing grants to Native communities.
Finding long-term
solutions to systemic challenges facing Northwest
Indian people requires a community-based, holistic
approach that focuses on root causes of problems.
The Potlatch Fund will encourage efforts that:
- Evaluate the problems and
needs of a community by also evaluating its
existing assets.
- Promote community organizing,
community building, and community celebration.
Recognize that
problem prevention is key to long-term problem
solving.
The Potlatch Fund will employ innovative strategies
and culturally appropriate models in our grantmaking.
In addition to seeking out new initiatives, we
will honor established programs, demonstrated
leadership, and already-achieved accomplishments.
We will be flexible and responsive to change.
All of us at the
Potlatch Fund are eager to begin operating our
grantmaking program. Our expectations are high.
So is our confidence. We are actively working
to attract re-granting money and to build a permanent
endowment. Our capacity to award grants is directly
tied to our ability to bring in these resources.
The Potlatch Fund board and grant committee has
identified three small grant program areas. The
types of grants available will vary in geography,
issue, and size based upon strategic goals set
by the grant committee and the criteria of a Tribe,
foundation, or individual donor who is the source
of the funds. The three program areas are:
- Community Building: Grants
to support work that advances the Potlatch Fund’s
mission.
- Native Arts: Grants and scholarships
to organizations or individuals working to promote
and strengthen Northwest Native art and culture.
- Leadership Honoring: In the
true spirit of Potlatch, monies will be gifted
annually by the board of directors to individuals
showing strong leadership in their Native communities
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