FIRST NATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
2432 Main Street 2nd Fl, Longmont, CO 80501 www.firstnations.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: First Nations Development Institute works to improve economic conditions for Native Americans through technical assistance and training, advocacy and policy, and direct financial grants.

To strengthen American Indian economies to support healthy Native communities.

Nourishing Native Foods & Health - First Nations recognizes that accessing healthy food is a challenge for many Native American children and families. Without access to healthy food, a nutritious diet and good health are out of reach. To increase access to healthy food, we support tribes and Native communities as they build sustainable food systems that improve health, strengthen food security and increase the control over Native agriculture and food systems. First Nations provides this assistance in the form of financial and technical support, including training materials, to projects that address agriculture and food sectors in Native communities. First Nations also undertakes research projects that build the knowledge and understanding of Native agriculture and food systems issues, and inform Native communities about innovative ideas and best practices. We also participate in policy forums that help develop legislative and regulatory initiatives within this sector. First Nations supports a regional and national network of Native food sector and related organizations. First Nations conducts its work in this area under its broad Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI).

Strengthening Tribal & Community Institutions - Through grant support, technical assistance and training, First Nations provides tribes and Native communities with the tools and resources necessary to create new community-based nonprofit organizations and to strengthen the capacity of existing nonprofits and tribal agencies or departments. For 36 years, First Nations has supported hundreds of model projects that help revitalize Native communities, while integrating social empowerment and economic strategies. First Nations believes that by bolstering tribal and community institutions, we are helping to build economically stronger and healthier Native communities for the long term. An essential component of First Nations' nonprofit capacity-building strategy is our Leadership, Entrepreneurial, and Apprenticeship Development (L.E.A.D.) Institute Conference that trains emerging and existing Native nonprofit leaders, including staff members from many of our grantee organizations. For 21 years, First Nations has held an annual L.E.A.D. Institute Conference for Native American nonprofit professionals, tribal leaders and anyone interested in Native nonprofits, business and philanthropy.

Investing in Native Youth - First Nations believes that Native youth represent the future of Native communities, and that their health and well-being determine the future health and well-being of a community overall. By investing in youth and giving them a sense of place and tradition in the community, a community ensures that it will have bright and capable future leaders. First Nations invests in Native youth and their families through many programs, but the cornerstone of our youth efforts is the Native Youth and Culture Fund, which annually provides grant support to numerous youth-related projects. We also have a range of financial education programs that are specifically geared toward Native youth, including the Crazy Cash City reality fair and the $pending Frenzy workshop. The goal is to provide programs that meet youth where they are, support them in accomplishing their goals and dreams, and prepare them for an empowered adulthood guided by their cultures, families and traditions.

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