Frequently Asked Questions – Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities Grant Application

See above our applicant webinar for more information on the application process.

Overview

How do I apply for funding?

Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities is currently accepting applications for its inaugural fund. The application will be conducted in two-stages.

A Letter of Inquiry (LOI) must be submitted via our online portal by Friday, January 19th by 11:59pm CT.
Applicants who are selected to submit a full proposal will be notified via email by Friday, February 9^th.
Full proposals will be due on Friday, March 8 by 11:59pm CT.

Submit all inquiries to nativenations@workforce-matters.org.

Can I see the full proposal questions in advance?

Yes! You can download the full proposal questions here. Please note that these are provided for informational and planning purposes only. Applicants selected to submit a full proposal will be notified via Submittable and will also submit responses to these questions through the Submittable platform.

What is the Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities initiative?

Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities (WGNNC) is an initiative of Workforce Matters, advised by Native leaders and funders to: (1) strengthen workforce-focused organizations, programs, and initiatives led by and for Native Nations and communities (collectively referred to as Indian Country); and (2) shift/influence thinking and behaviors of partners (funders, federal and state policymakers and agencies, and researchers) so they can effectively support Indian Country. Learn more here.

WGNNC is pleased to share its inaugural Request for Proposals (RFP) with Native-led workforce development entities seeking philanthropic support to establish, strengthen, or grow self-determined programs, projects, and initiatives designed to meet the distinct workforce development needs of Native Nations, and Native workers and learners. Learn more and apply here.

What are the fund’s goals?

The WGNNC fund goals were designed to enhance the capacity of Native-led workforce development entities to design, implement, refine, and/or expand programmatic systems and solutions that cultivate the skills, knowledge, and readiness of Native people to enter, thrive, and advance in their chosen career fields.

This grant opportunity will prioritize funding for Native-led organizations and entities. WGNNC has structured this grant opportunity to provide Native-led workforce development entities with maximum flexibility to deploy grant funds as they see fit to advance their organizational priorities based on their unique and cultural understanding of the challenges, needs, and goals of the people and communities they serve. For the purpose of this opportunity, “Indian Country” inclusively refers to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Nations and communities.

What do you mean by workforce development in Indian Country?

The concept of workforce development varies by Native cultures. For most Native Nations and communities, it is more holistic and collective than it is in non-Native mainstream cultures. In Indian Country, workforce development is about Nation building while centering human capacities to rebuild Native Nations and communities. It is about preserving cultures, languages, and ways of life to ensure prosperity for future generations. This includes a focus on all Native community members, from “cradle through career” (young people to adults).

What do you mean by “Nation building”?

We like the Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona’s definition of Nation building. Native Nation building is the process by which a Native Nation strengthens its own capacity for effective and culturally relevant self-government and for self-determined and sustainable community development. Nation building involves building institutions of self-government that are culturally appropriate to the Nation and that are effective in addressing the Nation’s challenges. It involves developing the Nation’s capacity to make timely, strategically informed decisions about its affairs and to implement those decisions. It involves a comprehensive effort to rebuild societies that work. In other words, a Nation-building approach understands that Tribes are not merely interest groups, but governing Nations confronting classic problems of human societies.

Native leaders across the country have made significant strides over the past several decades to reclaim and redesign the systems that develop Native workforces, which research has shown is vital for success. More and more, these leaders are revitalizing economic, workforce, and education systems in ways that advance tribal self-determination, cultures, values, and economic and job opportunities – and prepare Native people to seize those opportunities.

What strategies will the fund support?

Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities will prioritize Native-led work that centers tribal community voices and priorities. Flexible grants between $50,000- $70,000 with grant term awards up to 24 months will be awarded to support Native-led work. The work must be designed to enhance the capacity of Native-led workforce development entities to design, implement, refine, and/or expand programmatic systems and solutions that cultivate the skills, knowledge, and readiness of Native people to enter, thrive, and advance in their chosen career fields. Here is a list of fields prioritized by our Native-led advisors:

Business/Retail
Education (including culture and language)
Food Economies
Healthcare/healing
Natural resource management
Public sector employment (tribal/non-tribal governments)
Small business development/entrepreneurship
Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math fields
Construction
Vocational fields (trades)
Cultural Economies (i.e., strengthening language, culture, arts, and identity in economic work)

Will this fund be available next year?

This is the inaugural fund. Workforce Matters is a national network of funders, and our goal is to elevate the incredible work happening in Indian Country while encouraging funders to give directly to these important initiatives.

For Funders

How do I contribute?

Workforce Matters is accepting contributions to the fund through our fiscal sponsor, Funders Together to End Homelessness. We welcome funders to make gifts towards the fund through early 2024 and invite a conversation to contribute to another potential round of funding.

Do I have to be a supporting member of Workforce Matters to contribute to the fund?

Any funder is welcomed to contribute to the Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities Fund. If a funder is not already a Workforce Matters supporting member, the first $1,500 of their contribution to the fund will go toward a supporting membership, which supports Workforce Matters’ overall programming and makes initiatives like Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities possible.

Is there a minimum contribution?

Workforce Matters’ supporting members are welcome to make a gift of any size to the fund, but only those who give more than $25,000 annually will be invited to participate on the advisory committee of the fund.

How will governance and decision making for the Fund work?

Funders who contribute $25,000 or more to Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations may join the fund’s advisory committee which will consist of both funders and tribal stakeholders, but they are not required to do so. The advisory committee will meet quarterly or as needed to help determine the overall strategy, priorities, learning goals, and direction of the fund and weigh in on the grant docket for the fund. The Workforce Matters Steering Committee will approve all grants from the fund. The fund is held by Workforce Matters’ fiscal sponsor, Funders Together to End Homelessness.

Can I recommend applicants or projects for funding?

Yes! We welcome funders to share this opportunity with their grantees and networks. While we cannot guarantee a grantee from your portfolio will receive funding, one of our goals is to share promising approaches to supporting workforce initiatives in Indian Country. Workforce Matters network is also creating greater awareness of good work happening in the field generally.

What if my foundation/organization has particular grantmaking interests or restrictions—like geography, sector, or target population? How can I participate?

We welcome you to participate! We need and welcome your insights about promising strategies for place based grantmaking, Native grantmaking, racial equity grantmaking, Native workers and learners, industry sectors, or other parts of the workforce ecosystem. We are happy to work with you to ensure organizations fit your foundation’s grantmaking priorities. Beyond this, if you would like to contribute but need to earmark funds toward specific priorities or regions, please reach out to us at nativenations@workforce-matters.org to discuss options for participation.

Will the fund include learning opportunities for funders?

Yes! We plan to support an evaluation as part of the fund and will share the results with the Workforce Matters network. Contributors will also have the opportunity to learn in “real time” through the application and grantmaking process, if they wish to, and we will hold regular advisory committee meetings to share learnings and keep funders apprised of the work.

What is the fund’s conflict of interest policy?

Funders and stakeholders who are part of the selection process must disclose any affiliations that may pose a potential conflict of interest. Those with potential conflicts may still participate but will not be included in discussions or decisions about applicant organizations with which they have a significant affiliation.

For Applicants

Questions about Applying for Funding

How do I apply for funding?

Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities is currently accepting applications for its inaugural fund. The application is a two-stage process. LOI’s must be submitted via our online portal by Friday, January 19th by 11:59pm HST. Invitations for applicants advancing will be notified via email by Friday, February 9^th. Applications will be due on Friday, March 8 by 11:59pm ET. Submit all inquiries to nativenations@workforce-matters.org.

Please sign up for our interest list to learn about future funding opportunities and upcoming webinars.

Can tribal governments apply?

Yes. We can give charitable contributions to Tribal programs as 7871 organizations under the tax code.

Is it possible to talk with someone about my application before I submit it?

Unfortunately, we are not able to have individual phone calls with applicants. However, if you do have a question that isn’t answered here, please do reach out to us at nativenations@workforce-matters.org, and someone will respond to you as soon as possible. We will also be hosting informational webinars, and you can register here.

Do I have to be a member of Workforce Matters to apply?

No. Applicants do not have to be members of Workforce Matters to apply.

Do I have to be nominated by a funder or Workforce Matters member to apply?

No. The Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities is using an open application process.

What is the fund’s conflict of interest policy?

Should we enter our physical address or our PO Box?

You may enter your PO Box, in the event we send snail mail.

Should the demographic information we submit focus on organizational leadership or programmatic leadership?

We’d like the overall organizational demographics, but if you are submitting on behalf of a Native-led program (such as a department of or program within a tribal government) that will be driving the work, please share that information with us.

Should we include the tribal budget or the programmatic budget?

Please put in the programmatic budget.

General Questions about Eligibility

We receive funding from one of the organizations on the advisory committee. Can we still apply?

Yes.

Are there any requirements for applicants in terms of previous work or organizational capacity in Native communities?

Yes. This grant opportunity will prioritize funding for Native-led organizations and entities. Applicants will also be expected to have demonstrated a past commitment to Native Nations, Native workers, and a commitment to strengthening the Native workforce. Direct service organizations should also be serving a majority of Native workers.

Is a multi-service organization that provides Native workforce programs along with other types of programs and services eligible to apply?

Yes.

Are organizations that provide entrepreneurship programs and services eligible to apply?

It depends. If the organization is applying on behalf of a Native-led program that provides training to Native individuals on entrepreneurship or business skills as part of an overall curriculum or program that helps them identify their own path forward into getting or creating employment, they would be eligible. If the organization is solely providing capital and assistance/coaching to help people start small businesses, then they would not be eligible.

Is a new organization that operates with a fiscal sponsor eligible to apply?

Yes.

Does the size of the applicant organization in terms of budget or people served affect eligibility?

No.

What do you mean by Native-led?

For the purposes of the RFP, “Native-led” refers to American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians, or members of tribal descent.

We define “Native-led” organizations as those fulfilling all three of the following criteria:

1) The applicant organization or program is led or co-led by a Native individual

2) A majority (51% or more) of the applicant organization’s board members identify as Native individuals

3) A majority (51% or more) of the applicant organization’s staff members are self-identified Native individuals

How do you include disability in your priorities?

We are very much interested in seeing applications for organizations serving Native workers with disabilities and wanting to engage with them to design and implement workforce programs and policies.

If we are not in a targeted place, are we eligible for funding?

Yes.

If we are not in a targeted place, should we even bother submitting?

We hope to receive and review proposals from a wide range of geographies that serve Native communities and workers. There are limited funds available, and we hope to address this in part by sharing applicant information (for those that opt in) with our network of funders.

Is the funding for new projects or does it support existing projects?

Funding can be requested for new or existing projects. If funding for existing work is requested, we ask that applicants describe how a grant from Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities will build on or extend this work.

Can funding support staff salaries or consultant fees?

Yes.

Do you have in mind how many individuals should be served by a project/applicant?

No.

Are indirect costs allowed?

Yes.

Is there a cap on the percentage of funding that can go toward overhead and indirect?

There is not. However, we will be taking into account the following budget/finance-related criteria in reviewing the applications, as stated in the RFP: alignment between funds requested and the proposed scope of work, capacity to manage the grant, need for resources.

Can joint proposals be submitted?

Yes.

Can one application support several projects?

Yes.

Is there a specific budget format or template we should use?

No. Applicants may use their own budget templates. However, the RFP does ask for a line-item project budget that lists all relevant categories for which applicants are requesting support, including staff, contractors/consultants, participant honoraria/compensation, other direct costs, and any indirect costs. Sample budgets can be found on Candid.’s website. Applicants are also required to submit a budget narrative and an organizational budget for the current fiscal year.

Does the grant have to serve specific age groups?

No.

Are capital costs and/or expenditures allowed?

No.

Can the grant cover lobbying expenses?

No. But we do support advocacy expenses. For more information on nonprofit advocacy, we suggest visiting Bolder Advocacy: A Program of Alliance for Justice.

Would the alternative of providing tuition assistance (paid directly to the college/vocational school) that is incorporated with co-enrollment in WIOA and wrap-around services to support participants with finding employment be allowable? Or is that still outside of the purview?

Grant dollars may be used to cover the cost of workforce education and training, including tuition, supportive services, stipends, equipment/materials, or other expenses that Native workers and learners may incur. How organizations choose to identify the candidates and provide support for these services can vary based on your needs and experience. The committee will be looking for evidence that the proposed project and budget will support Native workers and tribal communities and are aligned with the initiative’s goals of addressing the specific capacity needs of Indian Country workforce development organizations, contributing to learning about the broad capacity needs of the field of Indian Country workforce development, and strengthening and scaling Native-led workforce development approaches.

Where can we direct any additional questions not covered here?

Please email us at nativenations@workforce-matters.org.

Last updated January 17, 2024.

This FAQ is provided for informational purposes only. Terms subject to change.