Native Cultures Fund

The Native Cultures Fund provides grants to support projects that reflect the transmission of knowledge across generations, rooted in California Indian culture, art, values, and traditional practices. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, with most awards between $1,000 and $5,000. Eligible applicants include individuals, non-profits, community partnerships, and Tribal Nations. The fund prioritizes projects that encompass a wide definition of culture, including foodways, languages, ceremonies, arts, and land stewardship. Deadlines for grant consideration are April 1 and October 15, with decisions announced approximately 60 days after each deadline. The Native Cultures Fund (NCF), operated by the Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation, has been supporting community-driven cultural initiatives for over 25 years. This program is rooted in the values, traditions, and cultural expressions of California Native communities. The fund is particularly invested in the intergenerational transmission of Indigenous knowledge and practices, ensuring cultural continuity through artistic, linguistic, ceremonial, and ecological projects. Decisions for funding are made by a rotating committee of California Indian culture bearers, ensuring diverse and culturally grounded perspectives in the selection process. The NCF accepts applications twice annually with current deadlines set for May 1 and October 15, 2025. Grants typically range between $1,000 and $10,000, with most awards falling between $1,000 and $5,000. The fund is available to individuals, nonprofit organizations, community partnerships, and Tribal Nations. However, it explicitly excludes funding for large organizational capacity building, economic development efforts, or projects not grounded in California tribal cultures. Projects must reflect cultural expressions indigenous to California, broadly defined to include practices like traditional foodways, languages, ceremonies, arts, land stewardship, and more. Applications are to be submitted either electronically in PDF format via email or physically via postal mail. The final applications must be complete and received or postmarked by the deadline. Early feedback on draft applications is available upon request, with drafts needing to be submitted at least two weeks before the official deadline. Applicants are encouraged to contact program officers for project discussions and support throughout the application process. Evaluation of applications takes approximately 60 days after the submission deadline. The grant committees are composed of three to five community members who are selected for their expertise, cultural knowledge, and regional representation. Their participation is vital for ensuring the grant selection process remains community-centered and culturally appropriate. The grant website provides a downloadable application form in PDF, which includes fillable fields for convenience. Support is available for applicants who experience difficulties accessing or completing the form. The fund also offers the opportunity for community members with deep knowledge of their native traditions to participate in future grant or scholarship committees. Contact details for the Native Cultures Fund include an email address (nativecultures@hafoundation.org) and a direct phone line (707.267.9906). The program office is located at 363 Indianola Road, Bayside, CA 95524, and operates Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.