Between 3.1-8.7 million Indigenous people live in the United States, according to the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs. While Native Americans make up a small percentage of the US population, they have a poverty rate of around 18%! Systemic discrimination, which infects healthcare systems, schools, workplaces and other sectors of society, is a big driver. Charities led by Native people and allies are working to raise awareness, offer services and bring justice. Here are 15 examples:
| # | Organization |
|---|---|
| 1 | Native American Rights Fund |
| 2 | Native American Disability Law Center |
| 3 | Warrior Women Project |
| 4 | Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition |
| 5 | IllumiNative |
| 6 | National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center |
| 7 | The Indigenous Environmental Network |
| 8 | Western Native Voice |
| 9 | Indian Law Resource Center |
| 10 | Native American Heritage Association |
| 11 | Cheyenne River Youth Project |
| 12 | Native Seeds/SEARCH |
| 13 | Not Our Native Daughters |
| 14 | Running Strong for American Indian Youth |
| 15 | United Indians of All Tribes Foundation |
#1. Native American Rights Fund
The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) was founded in 1970. It provides legal aid to Native American organizations, tribes and individuals across the United States. Issues include treaty rights, tribal sovereignty, voting rights, natural resource protection and education. Attorneys and staff work on cases and projects focused on the organization’s five priorities, which include preserving tribal existence, promoting Native American human rights, and protecting tribal natural resources. NARF also serves as a consultant to policymakers and other legislators.
NARF accepts tax-deductible donations on its website.
#2. Native American Disability Law Center
The Native American Disability Law Center is a nonprofit advocacy group focused on the legal rights of Native Americans with disabilities. Its goal is to make sure Native Americans with disabilities get access to justice and are treated as equal members of their communities. Areas of focus include civil rights, healthcare, special education and rights to private and public services. Staff investigates civil rights violations, offers referral information, represents clients, and conducts training for educators, service providers, people with disabilities and their families. The Law Center operates within the Four Corners area, which is where Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico meet.
The Native American Law Disability Center, which is the only agency of its kind, accepts donations online.
#3. Warrior Women Project
The Warrior Women Project is a collective of Native and non-Native activists, scholars and media makers who document the stories of Warrior Women. These women fought for Indigenous rights and empowerment during the Red Power movement of the 1960s-1980s. The project uses oral history, activist archiving, community research and media. The project centers these women’s stories in the movement for a more just and inclusive world. Work includes a traveling exhibit honoring the women of Wounded Knee, the Water Protectors Oral History project and Warrior Women, a film about Madonna Thunder Hawk, an American Indian Movement organizer.
The Warrior Women Project accepts donations by check or online.
#4. Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS)
After a national symposium in 2011, Native leaders from the United States and Canada decided the US needed a process similar to the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission. NABS was born to address the trauma inflicted by the U.S. adoption system and the Boarding School Policy of 1869, which tore Native American children from their families and sent them to government and church-run boarding schools. Through its various projects and archives, NABS prioritizes advocacy, healing and education. As a coalition, NABS is open to regular and affiliate members such as Tribal Nations, organizations with more than half American Indian ownership, and Indigenous, First Nations or Aboriginal individuals outside the US.
Those who support NABS and its work can donate online or with a check through the mail.
#5. IllumiNative
In 2018, IllumiNative was founded to “activate” the findings of the Reclaiming Native Truth project, which was the biggest public opinion research and strategy project by, for, and about Native peoples. IllumiNative believes erasure is one of the biggest threats to Native peoples, so it strives to amplify Native voices, stories and issues. Using research, story, movement-building and other strategies, the organization seeks to raise awareness, educate Americans and mobilize support for Native issues. Their website hosts resources and podcasts like “American Genocide,” which is about the Red Cloud Indian Boarding School.
Supporters can make tax-deductible one-time or monthly donations to IllumiNative through the online portal.
#6. National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) is a Native-led nonprofit focused on ending violence against Native women and children. It’s home to three centers: an Advocacy center, a Housing center and a Policy center. Priorities include empowering grassroots advocates, offering resources grounded in culture, providing technical assistance and training, and developing policy that strengthens tribal sovereignty. NIWRC also runs awareness campaigns on issues like domestic violence, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and sexual violence. The organization is based in Montana, but it serves as an expert organization for the whole United States.
NIWRC accepts donations online and by mail. It also has an Etsy shop where supporters can buy merchandise like shirts, posters and stickers.
#7. Indigenous Environmental Network
The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) was founded in 1990 to address environmental and economic justice issues. Priorities include empowering Indigenous communities and tribal governments by strengthening their ability to protect land, water, air, natural resources, health, sacred sites and economic sustainability. As an alliance, IEN unites various stakeholders who share the mission of protecting the planet and Indigenous knowledge. Programs include Indigenous Feminisms webinars and a mini-grant intiative. The IEN has also been part of the UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change since the sessions began.
IEN offers several ways to give, including through PayPal, by check, by stock and more.
#8. Western Native Voice
Western Native Voice, which was founded in 2022, is a social welfare nonprofit working to empower new Native leaders and affect policies. Its programs include community organizing, leadership, education and advocacy. It also operates a Day Labor program, which expands and develops day labor centers for Montana’s rural and urban tribal communities. Participants, who are employed on a day-by-day basis, receive leadership training and other workforce development in addition to daily pay. Western Native Voice works with Montana’s seven Indian reservations and many urban centers.
Western Native Voice accepts one-time and monthly donations, as well as donations via mail.
#9. Indian Law Resource Center
Since 1978, the Indian Law Resource Center has provided legal aid to Native Americans and Indian nations in the United States and the Americas. Key issues include environmental protection, human rights, land rights, law reform, Native sovereignty and ending violence against Native women. In addition to taking on cases, the Indian Law Resource Center also conducts advocacy nationally and internationally. It has consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.
You can give donations to the Indian Law Resource Center through PayPal, with your credit card or by mail.
#10. Native American Heritage Association
Since 1993, the Native American Heritage Association (NAHA) has focused on helping families living on South Dakota and Wyoming reservations. Programs focus on clothing, food, winter rescue, kids and more. NAHA also has an emergency voucher program, which provides medicine, heating fuel and food for Native Americans with disabilities, children who need medical attention and families experiencing homelessness. Information about the charity’s yearly distributions can be found on the website.
NAHA accepts donations through PayPal, as well as one-time or monthly donations by credit card.
#11. Cheyenne River Youth Project
Founded in 1988 in South Dakota, the Cheyenne River Youth Project provides services for Lakota children and their families. Their programs address many issues, such as food sovereignty, food security and family services. The Main, which is the project’s youth center, provides programming for 4-12-year-olds. The teen center gives youth opportunities to explore their interests, learn job and life skills, and access mentors. The Cheyenne River Youth Project also runs social enterprises like the Keya Cafe and Leading Lady Farmers Market, which gives young people job training opportunities.
Supporters of the Cheyenne River Youth Project have a few ways to donate, including in-kind donations, stocks, planned giving, and one-time or monthly donations.
#12. Native Seeds/SEARCH
Since 1983, Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S) has stewarded seeds from the Southwest and Mexico in response to concerns from farmers, gardeners, Indigenous community members and conservationists. Seeds do more than grow food; they represent culture and food sovereignty. Today, NS/S conserves over 1,800 regional seed varieties in its seed bank. Seeds are available through the Native American Seed Request program, the Partner Farmer Program, Community Seed Grants and so on. The organization also offers seeds for sale.
On the NS/S website, you can choose a crop to conserve and give a one-time or monthly donation. For one-time donations, it appears you have to give at least $35. You can also support NS/S by shopping at the gift shop or online pantry, which offers spices, honey, grains and more.
#13. Not Our Native Daughters
Not Our Native Daughters (NOND) is a national organization fighting the trafficking, exploitation and murder of Indigenous persons, especially women and girls, who are disproportionately killed compared to the rest of the population. NOND’s advocacy promotes education, policy and safety, community listening sessions, law enforcement engagement and restorative justice circles.
Supporters of NOND can become monthly supporters or give a one-time donation online. The charity also has an online store where you can buy stickers, hoodies, T-shirts, mugs and other items.
#14. Running Strong for American Indian Youth
Established by long-distance runner Billy Mills and Christian Relief Services founder Gene Krizek, Running Strong (RS) serves over 30 rural and urban Native American communities. Programs focus on clean water, organic community gardens, food box programs, home repair assistance, and cultural and language revitalization. RS also supports Native youth through community activities, volunteering opportunities, and assistance to youth centers and schools.
Running Strong offers several options for donations, such as giving online, giving by phone or giving by mail. You can also give through a company gift-matching program or Amazon Smile. The charity has vehicle donation and Caring Cent programs, as well.
#15. United Indians Of All Tribes Foundation
Since 1970, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation has offered supportive services and programming to Seattle and King County’s Native community. Their priorities include economic sustainability, housing stability, cultural connection, school readiness and health. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, the organization’s headquarters, hosts Native art, the annual Seafair Indian Days Powwow and Indigenous People’s day celebrations. The group also offers family services (like foster care support, a traditional medicine program and a program for Native fathers), community services, a preschool and a radio show.
The United Indians of All Tribes Foundations accepts many donations, including one-time and monthly donations online, stock donations and legacy gifts.