Match funding ideas
To assist tribes in utilizing NRCS funding, Braided Canopy provides a variety of match funding ideas.
While we are not able to directly offer match funds, we can help explore funding needs and programs available to meet those needs.
Local level resources
Tribal Casinos
Soil and Water Conservation Districts
State & Federal resources
State Departments of Forestry, Natural Resources, Ecology, or Water Resources
EPA funding that funnels to these State Departments
Tribal Casinos that provide funds state or region-wide
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Public Law 93-638 self-determination contract or compact funds
Species-specific resources
Tribal organizations
Native American Fish and Wildlife Society
NAFWS’s mission is to assist Native American and Alaska Native Tribes with the conservation, protection, and enhancement of their fish and wildlife resources.
National Indian Carbon Coalition
NICC is a committed Tribal-focused technical partner empowering Tribal Nations to thrive through sovereignty, cultural continuity, and climate resilience.
First Nations Development Institute
FNDI’s mission is to uplift and sustain the lifeways and economies of Native communities through advocacy, financial support, and knowledge sharing.
They envision a world in which Tribal Sovereignty is upheld, and Native ingenuity and knowledge are honored and respected.
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
ILTF provides grant funding to Indian nations to support various aspects of land recovery with a focus on reacquiring alienated federal lands.
Indian Lands Capitol Company
ILCC is a Native-owned, Certified Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing alternative loan options to Native Nations for tribal land acquisition and economic development projects. ILCC is owned by the nonprofit the Indian Land Tenure Foundation.
Native Community Development Financial Institutions Network
NCDFIs are the financial backbone of Native communities – delivering capital, financial education, and opportunity in places long overlooked by traditional systems. They are fueling Native-owned businesses, supporting homeownership, and investing in the future of Native economies, with the potential to assist with Tribal forestry projects. Contact your local Native CDFI to determine if their lending program fits the needs of your Forestry project.
Native American Agricultural Fund
NAAF is a private, charitable trust devoted solely to serving Native American farmers, ranchers and foresters. NAAF provides grants to eligible organizations, including Tribal Nations, education institutions, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), and nonprofit organizations, in four core areas: business assistance, agricultural education, technical support, and advocacy services.
The NAAF Grant is announced each spring. Funding can be used to support Tribal Forestry projects, including requests for matching funds for USDA NRCS projects.
Tribal Funding Registry
TFR is a Native-led platform that brings together federal, state, corporate, foundation, and Tribal funding opportunities in one place. Built for Tribal Nations and Indigenous-led organizations, with guided support from staff who understand Tribal context.
TFR provides a great resource for Tribes seeking funding in a variety of arenas, including Natural Resources and Forestry. Staff from the Braided Canopy Initiative will be tracking potential grants through this site and providing information on open grants as it becomes available.