Native American Charities: How To Support on Giving Tuesday

Native American Charities: How To Support on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday, as you may know, is a national movement in which everyone donates to charity the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

There are over 800,000 people following our Powwows.com Facebook page and if everyone donated at least $10 to their favorite charity, that's $8 million that could make a difference in a person's life! (But feel free to donate more!)

If you're strapped for cash, no problem—you can donate food, clothes or volunteer your time serving dinner at a senior center, community center or homeless shelter. Giving Tuesday is about giving, in any way that you can.

Historically for indigenous peoples, it is in our blood to give and help people in need. Were we not the original people who helped those colonists survive their first winters here in this country?

Plus…

  • Most donations are tax-deductible (get and save your donation receipt and check with an accountant)
  • Donating is good karma
  • Sharing is contagious
  • Small acts of kindness are food for the soul

Here are 13 great suggestions for American Indian charities worthy of your money and resources. What better time to give?

#GivingTuesday


Top Native American Charities on Giving Tuesday

 

Native Ways Federation

The Native Ways Federation (NWF) is about fairness and helping Indigenous people and groups. They help Native nonprofits by teaching, supporting, and working together to get more Native folks involved in charity. They started in 2006 and want to bring Native groups together, make Native nonprofits better, and make sure organizations serving Native communities do things right and spend money wisely.

#GiveNative on Giving Tuesday with Native Ways Federation!


 

St. Joseph's Indian School

St. Joseph’s Indian School

St. Joseph's Indian School is a small school in Chamberlin, South Dakota, which has served Lakota (Sioux) children and families since 1927. Their mission—to educate Native American youth mind, body, heart and spirit—drives them to house and educate over 200 American Indian children each year.

Child poverty and abuse are serious issues on Indian reservations. By supporting St. Joseph's Indian School, you are helping Native American children in need regain pride in the Lakota (Sioux) culture by learning the Lakota language, studying Native American culture and healing the broken family circle from which they come.

Donate Now!


Notah Begay FOundation Native American FOundation

Notah Begay Foundation 

Started by former PGA golfer Notah Begay, NB3F is the only Native American 501c3 nonprofit solely dedicated to reversing childhood obesity and type-2 diabetes in the Native American community. NB3F is setting a national standard for investing in evidence-based, community-driven and culturally relevant programs that prevent childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes, ensuring healthy futures for Native American children and their communities.  This Native American foundation is an excellent choice all year long. 

Donate Now!


Cultural Survial

Cultural Survival advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights across the world, including Native Americans. Since 1972, they have supported Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures, and political resilience. Cultural Survival imagines a future where the inherent rights and vibrant cultures of Indigenous Peoples, intricately connected to their lands, languages, spiritual beliefs, and artistic expression, are valued and respected. This future is grounded in their ability to make decisions and govern themselves.

Support Indigenous Rights!


Navajo Water Project - Native American Charity

Navajo Water Project 

Navajo are 67 times more likely than other Americans to live without running water or a toilet. That's an injustice.  The Navajo Water Project is partnered with the St. Bonaventure Indian Mission which provides tuition-free schooling and essential services to thousands of Navajo (Diné) around Thoreau, New Mexico. The 501(c)3 charity is a key local employer and almost completely Native American-run. St. Bonaventure, in partnership with the local community, will fund and maintain water delivery when the project is complete. This is one of the best indigenous organizations to donate to this Giving Tuesday. 

Give Water Now!


Native Hope

Native Hope is on a mission to break down barriers that have long hindered the progress and well-being of Native American communities. Deeply respecting Native nations' sovereignty, they engage directly with community members, collaborating with tribal entities to address challenges and provide solutions. By empowering leaders and fostering hope, Native Hope supports healing historical wounds and restoring trust, enabling resilient Native communities to build a promising and sustainable future.

Join Their Movement!


Adopt a Native Elder Charity

Adopt-A-Native-Elder

The Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program started through the efforts of Linda Myers of Park City, Utah and Grace Smith Yellowhammer, a traditional Diné woman. In the late 1980's Linda, an artist, was very moved by a Rug Show displaying the Navajo (or Diné as they prefer to be called) weavings of the Elders of Northern Arizona. Touched by the stories of the Diné people as told by Grace and Rose Hulligan during that Rug Show, Linda was soon very involved in gathering donated food, clothing and simple medicines and was driving to the reservation in Northern Arizona to deliver them to Native Americans living on the land.

Elderly indigenous peoples can be some of the most vulnerable members of any society, so this charity works to support the indigenous elders who live in the Diné (Navajo) reservation. Many of these American Indians live traditionally in remote areas, raise sheep and live off the land. The program supports them by providing medicine, food, clothing, yarn, and fabric. These much-needed supplies are delivered during the semi-annual food runs which take place in the spring and the fall.

Support Elder Natives Now!


Odawa Native Friendship Center

Odawa Native Friendship Centre

The purpose of the Odawa Native Friendship Centre is to enhance the quality of life for Native Americans living in the Capital region. Learn more about this fantastic indigenous charity and see if you'd like to support their work this Giving Tuesday.

Donate Now!


White Bison Wellbriety Movement

White Bison Well-Briety Movement 

White Bison, Inc., is an American Indian 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Through White Bison, its Founder and President Don Coyhis, Mohican Nation, has offered healing resources to Native America since 1988. White Bison offers sobriety, recovery, addiction prevention, and wellness/Wellbriety learning resources to the Native American community nationwide. Many non-Native Americans also use White Bison's healing resource products, attend its learning circles, and volunteer their services.

Make a Donation Today


Native Services Boys and Girls Native American Charities

Native Services Boys & Girls Club 

In February 2013, the partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and communities with Native Clubs strengthened even more with the development of the Native Services Unit (NSU)! Based out of BGCA’s Southwest Service Center in Richardson, TX, the NSU is committed to addressing the challenges and issues unique to Native American lands. The NSU has very ambitious goals to aid in the sustainability and development of all Native Boys & Girls Clubs. This indigenous charity is absolutely worth your consideration this Giving Tuesday and all year long. 

Donate Now!


PWNA

Partnership With Native Americans

Did you know that approximately 90,000 American-Indian families are under-housed or homeless? When you donate to the Partnership with Native Americans you can support the work they do with 60 tribes all across the country, impacting 250,000 Native Americans. They are absolutely one of the most impactful indigenous organizations to donate to this Giving Tuesday. 

They focus on immediate needs related to indigenous peoples' health, nutrition, education, holiday support, and emergency relief as well as animal welfare. For example, one of their projects is related to encouraging homegrown food sources as a way of decreasing diet-related diseases and combating food insecurity.

Donate Now!


AICF

The American Indian College Fund

Did you know that only 15% of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIAN) age 25 and older have a college degree — less than half of that of other groups in the United States? The American Indian College Fund disburses approximately 6,000 scholarships yearly for Native American students and provides support through cultural preservation activities, capital support, and more.

Support Native Students Today!


Native American Rights Fund

The Native American Rights Fund

The role of the Native American Rights Fund is to ensure that the US State governments and federal governments live up to their legal obligations. Also, this charity is dedicated to providing legal representation and assistance to trips, individuals, and organizations across the country.

For example, one of the earliest cases that the Native American Rights Fund assisted with resulted in the 1974 Boldt Decision, in which a US district judge ruled that Washington State had to uphold tribal treaty fishing rights.

Donate Today!


The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) is the sole national organization dedicated to championing the rights of Native individuals affected by U.S. Indian boarding school policies. Our commitment lies in pursuing knowledge through education and research, pushing for fairness through activism and policy advocacy, and fostering healing through traditional gatherings and programs.

 

Help Give Healing!


In a nutshell, #giveNative rocks the Giving Tuesday scene, rallying support for Native American charities. When we join in, it's not just about dollars — it's about shining a light on these groups’ unique challenges. Giving Tuesday becomes a shared mission to stand with our Native communities, making a real impact and showing we're all in this together. So, let's keep the giving vibe alive, amplifying the voices of Native American organizations and spreading good vibes for a better tomorrow! 🌟 #giveNative #GivingTuesday

 

Last Updated on February 5, 2024 by Paul G


8 Comments on “Native American Charities: How To Support on Giving Tuesday”

  • Avatar for Andrea Singleton

    Hi, please consider the American Indian Center of Arkansas. We are the only center that serves Native Americans in the entire state.

    WHO WE ARE
    The American Indian Center of Arkansas is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit Urban Indian organization located in Little Rock, Arkansas, governed by a Native American / Alaska Native board of directors, providing for the maximum participation of all interested Indian groups and Native American / Alaska Native individuals living in Arkansas. The American Indian Center of Arkansas has operated continuously in the state since 1977.

    Our mission is to improve the quality of life for Native American / Alaska Natives living in Arkansas.
    Our mission areas include:
    Job Training and Job Placement by developing an employment and training program, through collaboration of business and industry, for Native American/ Alaska Natives living in Arkansas.

    Older American Employment and Training by providing job training and placement for individuals age 55 or older with limited financial resources and to provide employers with trained, motivated workers.

    Mental Health Services by providing a culturally competent, holistic approach to wellness, which helps children, youth, and young adults with mental or substance use disorders, connect with the services and support they need to prevent suicide and develop a stronger more resilient Native American/ Alaska Native generation.

    Education by providing programs that offer choices that provide for a variety of academic, training and mental health services to enhance the lives of Native American / Alaska Native youth in Arkansas.

  • Avatar for MikQuinlyn Speller

    This Giving Tuesday, please consider giving to the American Indian Family Center. We are a nonprofit in Saint Paul, MN. That provides for the needs of those that live in Ramsey County and the Twin Cities. We offer American Indian families programs and services enriched by traditional American Indian values and culture. Please see our website at aifcmn.org for more information, access to our services and programming, and GIVE!

    Thank You!

  • Avatar for Reshma Ali

    Reshma Ali

    says:

    hi I can hep with good clothes, where can I send.

  • Avatar for Shawn Fairbanks

    Shawn Fairbanks

    says:

    I need help with clothimg and winter jactet. Ig there is anyone that can help me on my new jpurny down the red road that would be great

  • Avatar for Emilie R Welch

    Emilie R Welch

    says:

    Are there any organizations like the SWIF that make up Christmas food baskets to donate to Montana Indians?

  • Avatar for Sherry Martinez

    Sherry Martinez

    says:

    hello,
    My name is Sherry Martinez.
    I am hoping you can help a new Colorado nonprofit company. Compassionate Colorado and Water Warriors United are 2 beautiful groups who help the Navajo Tribes in the 4 corners area and the South Dakota Tribes.

    They need help with…
    Food- Beans , Rice, Flour, canned foods
    Water-Gallons or 55 Gallon Drums
    Medical Supplies- Thermometers, Medications, Walkers, Glasses
    Clothing- All sizes, Adults, Kids, Babies.
    Diapers- All Sizes, Baby Formula, Wipes
    You can also donate cash. Every little bit helps.
    I appreciate any advice on who else to ask for help.
    Thank you in advance. Have a wonderful day.

    • Avatar for Reshma Ali

      Reshma Ali

      says:

      hi I can hep with good clothes, where can I send.

  • Avatar for Charyl Cook

    Charyl Cook

    says:

    Is it possible to sponsor a specific elder? One that (after the covid-19 bans have been lifted) I could send packages to directly? Or a specific child? I have a small group of Christian ladies that are looking for a charity to sponsor.

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