Grants will support proven approaches that build assets and wealth

The Northwest Area Foundation has awarded three grants totaling $500,000 to Native American-led organizations with proven track records of success in approaches that build prosperity in urban and reservation communities. These awards are among the first set of grants, totaling $2.04 million, made under the Foundation’s new strategic plan approved by the board of directors in October 2008.

“Native Americans have experienced some of the highest poverty rates in the nation and have been deprived of resources to overcome barriers to prosperity. We believe that programs designed to build financial and human assets offer the best opportunity to thrive. These grants represent the deepening of our longstanding commitment to the Native American community,” said Kevin Walker, president and CEO of Northwest Area Foundation.