Native Ways Federation

About Native Ways Federation

HISTORY

There is a new era of accountability shaping non-profits around the country. Congress, the Independent Sector and others have initiated plans that will hopefully lead to reform and increased accountability in the non-profit sector. American Indian non-profits welcome this reform, but based upon past experience, acknowledge that it may not be comprehensive enough to solve the sophisticated and unique fundraising issues and problems that continue to plague Indian Country.

In 2006, seven of the country's leading national American Indian nonprofits came together to form the Native Ways Federation in recognition that we are more effective together than we are apart. Native Ways is based on the idea that the challenges facing American Indians demand that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards. Native Ways is unique in that it is the only federation in the U.S. to directly serve Native nonprofits that assist Native peoples and communities in Indian Country.

Native Ways incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the Navajo Nation in March of 2008 and was granted 501(c)(3) public charity status by the IRS. Upon receipt of a generous grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in April of 2008, Native Ways began building critical organizational capacity including the implementation of its workplace giving program.