The Grantmaker’s Guide:
Strengthening International Indigenous Philanthropy
A new pioneering report from the International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) that gathers research, case studies and experiences of those building momentum toward a new paradigm of collaboration. Order your FREE copy today!

Indigenous Peoples and Conservation
A Briefing Paper for Donors and NGOs (doc)

Indigenous Philanthropy
In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that Indigenous Peoples often play important roles in finding solutions to global challenges as well as in meeting their own needs. In a world that desperately needs new value systems, their cultures are increasingly looked to as a model for the future. At the same time most Indigenous communities remain marginalized, exploited and subject to hostile policies and attitudes. In this context, we are witnessing a rapid growth in the number and scale of philanthropic partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, often with results exceeding all expectations. Part of the reason for this success is that increasingly Indigenous Peoples have the kinds of institutions they need to deal with the outside world, including funders, on their own terms. This means they can enter into effective partnerships and control their futures. A basic need and requirement for outside funders is to find and genuinely strengthen these nascent or well established Indigenous institutions.

For donors, Indigenous funding can be both exciting and frustrating. Those who are considering adding Indigenous Peoples’ projects to their portfolios for the first time may need to overcome many internal constraints and cultural biases, fears, as is often the case with any investment in new ventures. Because Indigenous funding has lagged so far behind other sectors of philanthropy, and because Indigenous Peoples rightly want to do things in their own (often more holistic) ways, new projects may not fit easily into existing granting criteria or program models.

As members of IFIP and the existing donors in this field, we are anxious to grow the field, and bring an infusion of new faces and new sources of investment and expertise, along with the professional camaraderie that comes with shared commitment and passion for this important work.

Old hands continually experience the incredible resilience Indigenous Peoples in the face of overwhelming odds and continual attacks on so many fronts. Their diversity and creativity is an essential resource to a rich future of our planet through and beyond our current era of rapid erosion of planetary diversity and integrity. There is exciting work being done of global importance.

Donor Briefing Paper, Indigenous Peoples and Conservation (doc)

IFIP Conference Report 2010 (pdf)
Building and Sustaining Coalitions: Finding Common Ground for Education, Environment and Human Rights Advocacy

IFIP Conference Report 2009: Fostering Local to Global Partnerships
Setting the Agenda for the Future of Indigenous Philanthropy (53 page pdf)

TEN WAYS for Family Foundations to Consider Diversity and Inclusive Practices
(pdf) courtesy of the Council on Foundations

Ten Myths About Small Foundations and International Giving (pdf)
by Jennifer Astone, Ph.D.

Climate Change, Indigenous Peoples, and the Way Forward (doc)
For more info on organizations, go to www.ega.org

This project funded in part by Arkay Foundation

Slideshows and Powerpoint presentations for donors and grant makers
Foundation Center International Grantmaking IV (2009) (pdf)
Indigenous Women’s Fund (pdf)
pre-COP 15: Indigenous People and Climate Change (2009) (pdf)
REDD slideshow and panel summary notes (pdf)
Gwich’in Culture and Climate Change (pdf)
Andes: Territorios Bioculturales Indígenas (Spanish) (9mb pdf)

Almir Narayamoga Surui:  Ethno Environmental Management Plan for the Sete de Setembro Indigenous Land download PDF in Portuguese and English
English translation of the table only

Tim Dyman: Ocean Revolution (pdf)
Jessica Brown: Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (pdf)