Best Grants for Native Americans in Oregon

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, Oregon tribes, and local governments working on Native American services, culture, or related community needs in Oregon can seek project funding. Focused on education, health, safety, arts, environment, and cultural or historic preservation, Three Rivers Foundation invites applications benefiting Coos, Lane, Douglas, Curry, Lincoln counties, Native communities, or the broader state.

Eligible Oregon tribal college and university students can apply for the Oregon Tribal Student Grant to help cover average cost of attendance after other grants and scholarships. Administered by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, it supports members of Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes enrolled at participating in-state institutions.

With a mission to strengthen Native arts and heritage, Creative West provides Oregon Native American and Alaska Native artists, culture bearers, and cultural practitioners with US $2,500 in unrestricted support. Eligible individuals in the broader Creative West region can use funds for living costs, creative time, cultural practices, wellness, and community-based learning and sharing.

Tribal governments, community language programs, tribal schools, colleges, and eligible enrolled tribal members can receive up to US $20,000 for Native language documentation and revitalization projects, including in Oregon. Focused on Native American culture and heritage, Endangered Language Fund supports curricula, recordings, education programs, and training for languages linked to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Tribal governments and Native-led organizations pursuing solar energy projects and workforce development can access funding to build renewable energy capacity in Oregon and nationwide. Grants from GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund help tribal communities plan and implement solar infrastructure, support energy sovereignty and resilience, and expand education, training, and job opportunities in the clean energy sector. Awards up to US $100,000.

Native or Indigenous young adults ages 18–24 in Oregon can access environmental justice and leadership support through the Brave Heart Fellowship, a regional program of the Aspen Institute’s Center for Native American Youth. This 9‑month fellowship equips Native youth to advance food sovereignty, protect traditional lands and waterways, and promote climate justice in their communities.

Tribal governments, local and state governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Oregon working with American Indian communities can apply for Indian Land Tenure Foundation’s Economic Opportunity grants to improve the use and control of reservation lands. Funding supports projects that prioritize land acquisition planning, expand productive land use, and increase direct owner management for long-term community benefit.

Oregon tribal governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on Native American land rights and legal reform can access funding through Indian Land Tenure Foundation to advance tribal control over land assets. Eligible projects include estate planning and probate reform, land policy development, landowner associations, and initiatives to improve the legal framework for owning and managing Indian land.

Native-led organizations and community initiatives in Oregon strengthening Indigenous nations through language revitalization, safety for women, girls and Two-Spirit people, community leadership, or COVID-19 essential needs may be eligible for this funding. Grants from Vadon Foundation help Native American services and cultural programs in the U.S. and Canada advance long-term self-determination and sustainability.

Native-serving organizations working on health, education, environmental protection, Native arts and culture, or Native rights in Oregon can seek support for community programs through the Yocha Dehe Community Fund. Grants from Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation may benefit initiatives that help Native people help themselves and strengthen communities locally and across the U.S.

American Indian and Alaska Native students in Oregon seeking scholarships for certificate, undergraduate, or graduate study can apply for awards of US $2,000 - US $3,000 to attend accredited nonprofit colleges or universities in the U.S. Grants from American Indian College Fund help eligible students at non-Tribal institutions with merit-based educational support nationwide.

American Indian and Alaska Native students attending Tribal Colleges and Universities across the U.S., including those from Oregon, can apply for American Indian College Fund scholarships supporting certificate, undergraduate, or graduate study. Awards range from US $2,000 - US $3,000 and one annual application considers students for the full scholarship portfolio.

Native American and Alaska Native high school seniors in Oregon planning full-time study at an accredited nonprofit college or Tribal College/University can receive US $2,000 - US $3,000 scholarships for higher education costs. The American Indian College Fund offers a single annual application that considers students for its full portfolio of merit-based awards nationwide.

Spirit Mountain Foundation provides Oregon Native American communities with flexible project funding across arts and culture, education, environmental preservation, health, historic preservation, and public safety. Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes may request up to US $100,000 for eligible projects, with priority for education, environmental preservation, and health initiatives in listed counties.

Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and Oregon Tribes seeking up to US $7,500 for arts, education, health, environment, public safety, or historic preservation projects in eligible Oregon counties can apply through this small grants program. With a mission to support community-focused initiatives, Spirit Mountain Foundation provides flexible, competitive funding that may benefit Native American services and cultural heritage efforts.

Native-led and Native-serving 501(c)(3)s, tribes, and eligible public agencies in Oregon can seek program or capital support for education, health, environmental preservation, arts, public safety, and related projects through Spirit Mountain Foundation’s General Purpose Large Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Priority goes to projects in education, environmental preservation, and health that benefit Native communities.

Focused on education, health, culture, and community needs, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians invites Oregon charitable organizations and local governments to seek funding for programs in its 11-county service area. Native American organizations across the U.S. may also be eligible for support in areas like addiction treatment, housing, arts, environment, and cultural or historic preservation.

Individuals working on cultural, artistic, or environmental preservation connected to Wabanaki culture can seek support for projects such as traditional arts, apprenticeships, research, publications, and protection of culturally important spaces. Focused on Native American culture and heritage, Maine Community Foundation invites Oregon applicants whose work advances Wabanaki knowledge, environmental stewardship, and David Moses Bridges’ legacy.

Federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, tribal colleges or universities, tribal health programs, and tribal organizations in Oregon can access funding through the National Institutes of Health’s Native American Research Centers for Health program to support health-related research, research career development, and research infrastructure. Eligible Native-led entities may strengthen community-focused health initiatives and capacity.

The Kalliopeia Foundation Grant focuses on supporting projects that foster cultural and ecological renewal through a deep reverence for the Earth. By prioritizing US-based organizations that demonstrate strong community relationships and intergenerational leadership, the foundation seeks to empower marginalized voices and traditional practices. With an emphasis on land care and Indigenous leadership, Kalliopeia aims to cultivate a resilient future where diverse ways of knowing and being thrive harmoniously with nature.

The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship, awarded by the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation, supports future leaders in environmental, tribal public policy, and health care fields. With 55 scholarships of $7,000 each expected in 2025, this highly competitive program requires students to participate in their schools' internal competitions. Scholars benefit from networking opportunities and access to the Udall Alumni Network, fostering collaboration and growth in their respective fields.

The Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation provides financial support to non-profit organizations that promote American Indian self-sufficiency and culture. Grants are awarded quarterly, and applications must be submitted at least 30 days before meeting dates. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) compliant, focusing on entrepreneurship, education, and cultural preservation. The Foundation, established in 1997, has funded various projects, ensuring that grant funds are utilized effectively for their intended purposes.

The Wildhorse Foundation offers a Rapid Response Grant for urgent needs throughout the year, with no set application deadline. Typically, one grant of up to $1,500 is awarded annually, adhering to the same guidelines as full grants. Eligible recipients include the Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and various non-profit organizations within the surrounding regions of Oregon and Washington. This grant is not intended for event sponsorship or operational budget supplements.

Native Voices Rising (NVR) offers grants to empower Native-led grassroots organizations in the U.S. With over $16 million awarded since inception, NVR focuses on enhancing lives through collective action and advocacy. Eligible organizations must be Native-led and engage community members in policy improvement efforts. NVR supports initiatives addressing environmental justice, health, and youth involvement, with a commitment to fostering leadership and social change within Native communities.

The Elizabeth Furber Scholarship honors the legacy of Elizabeth Furber by providing financial assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native female graduate students. This scholarship supports students pursuing full-time degrees in various fields, including fine arts, music, and creative writing. As a need-based award, it requires applicants to demonstrate Tribal affiliation through a Tribal Eligibility Certificate. This opportunity empowers eligible students to achieve their academic goals.

The BIE Special Higher Education Program offers financial assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native graduate and professional students enrolled full-time in accredited institutions across various fields. Awards fluctuate annually based on applicant qualifications and available funding, ensuring support aligns with need-based criteria. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate Tribal affiliation through a Tribal Eligibility Certificate. This initiative aims to empower Indigenous scholars in their academic pursuits.