2024 Good Relatives Collaborative Grant Program

The 2024 Good Relatives Collaborative Grant Program is designed to support Native-led and Native-serving groups, collaboratives, and organizations. The program aims to foster the growth and development of these entities across various stages, from those exploring non-profit status to established 501(c)(3) organizations. This initiative aligns with the Good Relatives Collaborative's mission to empower Native communities by providing essential funding and guidance, strengthening their capacity to address community needs and achieve their goals. The grant amounts are tiered to reflect the different stages of organizational development, ranging from up to $20,000 for "Exploring" groups to up to $60,000 for "Maturing" organizations, with a total grant size between $10,000 and $100,000. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are Native-led, Native-serving organizations with operating budgets under $500,000, and community collaborators or nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) public charity status or fiscal sponsor. These organizations must be serving Native communities in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, or one of the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. The program specifically targets groups that are 60% Native-led at the board level and have Native senior leadership/ED, ensuring that the initiatives are driven by and truly reflective of the communities they serve. The impact goals are to strengthen new and emerging organizations, help growing organizations manage larger grants, and support mature organizations in providing guidance to younger groups, thereby creating a robust and self-sustaining ecosystem within Native communities. The program prioritizes organizations at different stages of development through its "Exploring," "Emerging," "Growing," and "Maturing" grant stages. "Exploring" grants focus on new organizations considering non-profit status or those with limited grant experience and annual budgets from $0-$25,000. "Emerging" grants support new or currently-applying 501(c)(3) organizations with budgets between $25,000-$75,000, helping them gain more grant management experience. "Growing" grants are for established 501(c)(3) organizations with budgets from $75,000-$200,000, aiming to enhance their capacity to manage larger grants. Finally, "Maturing" grants are for experienced 501(c)(3) organizations with budgets from $200,000-$500,000, encouraging them to provide mentorship to younger organizations. These focused priorities ensure tailored support that meets organizations where they are in their development journey. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of formally established Native-led non-profits, enhanced grant writing and management capabilities across all stages of organizations, and the development of a supportive network where experienced organizations can mentor newer ones. Measurable results will include the number of organizations transitioning to 501(c)(3) status, the successful management of grants, and the growth in operating budgets for participating organizations. The Good Relatives Collaborative’s strategic priorities are deeply rooted in a theory of change that posits that by investing in and strengthening Native-led and Native-serving organizations, there will be a direct and positive impact on the well-being and self-determination of Native communities in the designated three-state region and within the 23 Native nations. This comprehensive approach aims to build lasting capacity and foster community-driven solutions.