First Nations Development Institute facts for kids

First Nations Development Institute (often called First Nations) is a special group that helps Native American tribes and their communities. It's a nonprofit organization, which means it doesn't work to make money for owners. Instead, it uses its funds to help others.

First Nations helps Native American groups grow their economies. They do this by offering training, advice, and grants (money given for a specific purpose). They also teach the public about Native American issues. Their main office is in Longmont, Colorado. Groups like Charity Navigator have given First Nations high ratings for how well they use their money.

What First Nations Does

First Nations works to make Native American economies stronger. This helps Native communities be healthier and more successful. They create new ways and ideas to help Native people manage their own resources. This supports economic growth for American Indian people and their communities.

Our Guiding Belief

First Nations believes that Native peoples have the skills and ideas to make their communities strong. They want to ensure a good future for their economies, spirits, and cultures. Their motto is: "Strengthening Native American Communities & Economies."

History of First Nations

First Nations started in 1980 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was first called the First Nations Financial Project. A woman named Rebecca Adamson founded it. In 1991, the group changed its name to First Nations Development Institute.

How First Nations Helps

First Nations believes in finding solutions from within Native American communities. They don't try to force outside ideas. Their projects build on a tribe's unique culture and what they already have. This helps tribes work towards a more stable economic future. Rebecca Adamson once said, "I want to show the brilliance, the creativity, the efficacy of Indian people."

Key Programs and Milestones

• 1985: First Nations helped create Lakota Funds. This was the first Native American Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) on a reservation. A CDFI helps people in specific communities get loans and financial services.
• 1986: The Oweesta Program was created. It's a model for CDFIs in Native American communities. First Nations Development Institute is its main organization.
• 1985-1991: The Tribal Commerce and Enterprise Management Program (TCEMP) began. It helped Native American students get business degrees. It started at Yale University and later moved to the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.
• 1994-1995: First Nations expanded its work in reservation economies through the Eagle Staff Fund.
• 1997: First Peoples Worldwide was started as a project of First Nations.
• 2001: First Nations and the Fannie Mae Foundation released a guide. It was called Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families. It taught financial skills in a way that fit Native cultures.
• 2002: The Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI) began. It looked at food systems in tribal communities.
• 2002: Rebecca Adamson wrote an article. She spoke out against using Native American mascots for sports teams.
• 2003-2005: Michael E. Roberts returned to First Nations. He became president in 2005.
• 2006: First Nations moved its main office from Virginia to Longmont, Colorado.
• 2009: A report called The Native American Asset Watch was published. It looked at who controls tribal community assets and what that means for their economies.
• 2013: The first Native Food Sovereignty Summit was held. First Nations helped host it with other groups.
• 2015: First Nations celebrated its 35th Anniversary. They also held their 20th Annual L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Entrepreneurial and Apprenticeship Development) Conference.
• 2016: Raymond Foxworth wrote an article. He responded to a poll about the Washington Redskins team name.
• 2017: First Nations received a Platinum Participant rating from GuideStar.
• 2017: Michael Roberts, the President and CEO, was featured on the BBB's Give.org Building Trust Series YouTube channel.
• 2022: Charity Navigator gave First Nations a 4-star rating. This was the 11th year in a row they received this top rating.