Technical Assistance Program

The Potlatch Fund operates a technical assistance program to enhance and promote Native leadership capacities and reduce barriers between Native communities and grantmaking foundations.

As soon as we began offering technical assistance services in 2003, our phone began ringing off the hook with requests from Tribal governments and Native nonprofit organizations. These requests came from members of our Native communities in both urban and rural areas.

The results have been encouraging. Participants who have completed our introduction to foundation fundraising workshop developed the skills and confidence to submit competitive grant requests ranging from $500 to $500,000.

Our training activities are “place-based.” We take the training
to communities where Native people live and work. Some of our sites have included Umatilla, Colville, Seattle, and Neah Bay. Our training model involves partnering with local Tribes and other organizations to host these events.

Another component of our technical assistance program is to build bridges between Native communities and grantmaking foundations. We hosted several “funders’ briefings” to create educational opportunities for foundation staff to meet and learn from Native leaders. We also participate in many national and regional philanthropic networks to broaden an understanding of indigenous populations in the Pacific Northwest and help these funders understand the needs and opportunities to support strategic work in these communities.