First Peoples Worldwide, an international donor organization has a “focus on funding local development projects in Indigenous communities all over the world while creating bridges between our communities and corporations, governments, academics, NGOs and investors in their regions.” It was founded in 2005 by Rebecca Adamson, a Cherokee social entrepreneur.
The uniqueness of this donor agency is that it is an Indigenous-led organization and it provides funding directly to Indigenous communities. Most of its senior staff members including the head staff and other board members “represent the diversity and solidarity of the Indigenous way of life.” Its own source of funds is from various supporters which includes foundations, multilaterals, individuals and multilaterals.
Before applying to any grant opportunity, it is important to understand the philosophy on which the donor agency has based its own organization and its funding approach. First Peoples Worldwide believes that “Indigenous Peoples know what to do and how to do it” and its role is to support them. It has a holistic approach as development problems are interrelated.
The Keepers of the Earth Fund supports projects that empower Indigenous Communities.
The cooperative model on which Indigenous People have survived for ages is a principle it promotes. When you propose your project to this organization, make sure that you integrate some of these ideas so that it in line with the approach of the donor agency.
One of the important mechanisms of funding of First Peoples Worldwide is the Keepers of the Earth Fund. This Fund has been designed to provide funding to locally-initiated development projects in Indigenous communities around the world. Grants range from US $500 to US $20,000 for “projects that are conceived and implemented by Indigenous communities themselves.”
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