Growing Tribal Economies Through Forest Market Innovations

First Nations Development Institute, a Native-led nonprofit based in Longmont, Colorado, has been serving Native communities for 45 years. Its mission is to uplift and sustain the lifeways and economies of Native communities through advocacy, financial support, and knowledge sharing. Since launching its national grantmaking program in 1993, First Nations has distributed over 3,640 grants totaling $94.3 million across 45 states, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa. Within its Stewarding Native Lands (SNL) program, launched in 2020, First Nations works to support Tribal and Native communities in regaining and restoring lands by promoting environmental justice, stewardship, and climate resilience. The 2025 Forest Market Innovations funding opportunity is administered under the SNL program. This initiative seeks to enhance Tribal engagement in new or emerging forest-related markets that support forest health and resilience. Funding is provided through the U.S. Forest Service, and First Nations plans to award up to 12 grants ranging between $200,000 and $500,000. These grants aim to incentivize the development of forest-based market solutions that integrate traditional knowledge, bolster Tribal economies, and promote sustainable stewardship practices. Supported markets may include biodiversity restoration, carbon storage, forest products and certification systems, and water-related ecological services. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and Alaska Native corporations. Projects must demonstrate readiness and alignment with funding priorities, include clear and measurable objectives, account for ecological risks and climate change impacts, and focus on market access and value generation. Activities eligible for funding range from capacity building and data collection to the development of forest management protocols. Activities such as real estate purchase, lobbying, litigation, entertainment, construction, endowments, and tuition assistance are not eligible. Applications must be submitted through First Nations' online Fluxx portal by 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Applicants must register their organizations through the online system prior to applying. Once registration is approved, applicants can access the application by selecting “Apply for Funding.” Required attachments include a project budget (PDF or Excel), a list of the board of directors and key staff (PDF), and tax status documentation (PDF). Exceptions to online submission must be requested via email at least two weeks before the deadline. The grant period runs from September 18, 2025, through December 1, 2027. First Nations will notify applicants of their status by September 3, 2025. Throughout the grant term, awardees must complete two progress reports and one final report that include narrative updates and expenditure details. These reports will help First Nations evaluate strategies, document outcomes, and share success stories. Two informational webinars are scheduled to support applicants: the first on July 30, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. MT, and the second on August 6, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. MT. Recordings will be made available on the First Nations website. For questions regarding the RFP, applicants may contact Briana Edmo at bedmo@firstnations.org or call (505) 459-1826. For technical support with the grant system, contact grantmaking@firstnations.org or call (303) 774-7836.

Applicants are encouraged to register in Fluxx early. Webinars are available to provide guidance and are strongly encouraged, though not required.