#GenIndigenous Response Fund Announces 19 Grants to Support Native Youth Organizing & Movement Building

Generation Indigenous Youth participated in the Indigenous Peoples March on January 18, 2019.

Published February 8, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS — Native Americans in Philanthropy is pleased to announce its third round
of grants approved by the #GenIndigenous Response Fund. A total of $155,000 has been
awarded to 19 Native youth serving organizations, providing responsive funding to support
youth organizing and activism across communities. This Response Fund bridges funders and
organizers to support organizing efforts and a collective commitment to systemic change and
social justice in Indigenous communities. A full list of this year’s grant awards can be found at
2019 #GenI Grantees.

Established in 2016 and housed at The Minneapolis Foundation, the #GenIndigenous Response
Fund was inspired by the Generation Indigenous Youth Leadership Development Initiative and
the activism and organizing by youth at Standing Rock to bring attention to the need for
protecting land, water and sovereignty. In addition, Native Americans in Philanthropy continues
to convene Native youth and organizations to further support the important visioning and
conversations that need to happen and to keep Generation Indigenous moving forward.

In just one year, the total amount awarded by the Response Fund has quadrupled, allowing for
triple the number of grants to be awarded in 2018 from previous years. Grantees are using the
funds awarded to focus on strategic communications, education, workforce development,
juvenile justice, resiliency, traditional knowledge, sustainability, environmental justice, health,
trauma and healing.

“We believe that youth engagement, organizing and leadership is central to this movement
moment, therefore we work to prioritize #GenIndigenous funding efforts that are Native-led
and with a focus on Native youth in advocacy efforts,” said Sarah Eagle Heart, CEO of Native
Americans in Philanthropy.

“We’re committed to investing in young leaders who are passionate about strengthening their
communities, and that’s exactly what the #GenIndigenous Response Fund is designed to do,”
said Jo-Anne Stately, Director of Impact for Economic Vitality at The Minneapolis Foundation.

The collaborative approach of the #GenIndigenous Response Funds provides a mechanism for
donors and foundations to scale their impact with others and to have direct impact on the
development of young leaders and youth-serving organizations in Indian Country. Since 2016,
the Response Fund has awarded nearly $250,000 to organizations throughout the United
States. Interested donors are encouraged to learn more about and consider contributing to the
#GenIndigenous Response Fund by visiting the website or emailing info@nativephilanthropy.org.