2025 Weaving Kinship Grant Program

The First Peoples Fund is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous artists and cultural communities across the United States. Through its Native Arts Ecology Building (NAEB) initiative, the funder seeks to strengthen the Indigenous Arts Ecology by providing grant support and coaching to Native-led nonprofit organizations and Native Community Development Financial Institutions (Native CDFIs). The Weaving Kinship Grant is part of the NAEB program and offers funding and non-financial support to Native organizations that have not previously partnered with First Peoples Fund. The grant’s purpose is to enhance Indigenous arts and culture ecosystems by fostering new relationships and promoting cultural practices, kinship, language revitalization, and community connection. The Weaving Kinship Grant awards $75,000 to each recipient for program support. Grantees also have opportunities for additional non-financial support such as coaching and collaborative activities to strengthen organizational capacity and sustainability. Ten awards will be distributed in this cycle. Eligible applicants include Native-led Native CDFIs, community development organizations, arts organizations, cultural arts organizations, and language revitalization organizations based in the U.S. Applicants must be enrolled members, or provide proof of lineal descent from, a U.S. federally recognized or state-recognized tribe, or be Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian. Previous and current NAEB grantees are not eligible. The application process includes an open call for Letters of Interest (LOI), followed by a full application invitation for selected organizations. The application window is open from June 2 to June 18, 2025. Selected grantees will begin their grant period on September 1, 2025, running through August 31, 2026. Participation in an optional in-person co-visioning session is encouraged during the early grant stages. Questions about the Native Arts Ecology Building Program can be directed to Bridget at [email protected] or (605) 348-0324.