Indigenous Tomorrows Fund

The Indigenous Tomorrows Fund (ITF) is a participatory grantmaking initiative administered by Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP). This new program, piloting in 2025, is designed to uplift Indigenous youth leadership and community-defined strategies that advance health, well-being, and long-term healing. ITF emerges from a collaborative effort between NAP, Newman’s Own Foundation, and Novo Nordisk, integrating philanthropic, health, and food justice perspectives to strengthen sustainable futures in Indigenous communities. At its core, the ITF aims to support projects that reinforce cultural continuity and promote Indigenous approaches to healing. Through a youth-led review process, it seeks to fund up to 24 community-based projects with grants of $30,000 each. The grant term spans 12 months, and funding must be directed toward Indigenous-led initiatives that tackle systemic inequities while promoting long-lasting wellness and self-determination. All projects should contribute meaningfully to Indigenous youth engagement and community transformation. Projects that align with one or more of ITF’s key funding priorities are strongly encouraged. These priorities include promoting food justice and access to nourishing foods for children, advancing community health and wellness, and fostering connections between food, culture, and healing across generations. The fund is designed to recognize and amplify local, culturally grounded solutions that position young people at the forefront of change. Eligibility for the Indigenous Tomorrows Fund is limited to specific types of institutions. Qualified applicants must be either 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, tribal governments or tribal programs, or schools and colleges that are operated or chartered by a tribe or by the Bureau of Indian Education. These criteria ensure that resources are directed toward organizations with direct ties to Indigenous governance or educational systems, reinforcing community-rooted implementation. The application period for the 2025 pilot grant cycle opens on June 13 and closes on July 18, 2025. Required submission materials include an organizational overview with mission and vision statements, responses to three short-answer questions (limited to 500 words each), a project budget and narrative, and proof of eligibility. Optional supplemental materials such as letters of support or work samples may also be submitted. The application questions ask organizations to describe their project’s core purpose, its alignment with ITF’s priorities, and existing community-based practices that demonstrate their commitment to Indigenous youth and wellness. Interested applicants should prepare for a competitive process that centers Indigenous voices, particularly those of young people. The Request for Proposals (RFP) and application portal are expected to launch soon, and all updates will be made available on NAP’s website. For questions or clarifications, applicants may contact the ITF program via email at [email protected].