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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: July 2024 Expires: July 2026

First Nations Development Institute

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
Accreditation seal
(303) 774-7836
2432 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Longmont, CO, 80501
https://firstnations.org
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

First Nations Development Institute meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to uplift and sustain the lifeways and economies of Native communities through advocacy, financial support, and knowledge sharing."

Year, State Incorporated:
1983, VA

First Nations Development Institute (FNDI) works to improve economic conditions for Native Americans through technical assistance and training, advocacy and policy. The organization also provides direct financial grants in the areas of investing in Native youth, achieving Native financial empowerment, nourishing Native foods and health, advancing household and community asset-building strategies, and strengthening tribal and community institutions. The Investing in Native Youth program supports projects that infuse Native youth with traditions and languages to prepare them for an empowered adulthood guided by their cultures. The Achieving Native Financial Empowerment program helps Native individuals and families master and practice wise financial management through financial and investor education curricula. The Nourishing Native Foods and Health program supports sustainable food systems that aim to improve health, alleviate hunger, strengthen food security, improve the environment, and increase control over Native agriculture. The Advancing Households and Community Asset-Building Strategies program works with national and local partners to identify, develop, and implement strategies that move families and communities toward financial security. The Strengthening Tribal and Community Institutions program provides tools and resources to create new community-based nonprofit organizations and strengthen the capacity of existing nonprofits and Tribal programs. FNDI also supports Native ecological stewardship and strives to improve Native control of, and access to, ancestral lands and resources.

For the year ended June 30, 2023, First Nations Development Institute's program expenses were:

Investing in Native Youth: $2,383,862

Asset Building and Financial Empowerment: $198,189

Nourishing Native Foods and Health: $3,852,598

California Tribal Fund: $1,287,402

Strengthening Tribal and Community Institutions: $7,319,364

Native Lands Stewardship: $4,753,304

Total Program Expenses: $19,794,719

Chief Executive
Michael E. Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$253,934

Chair of the Board
Benny Shendo, Jr.

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
New Mexico State Senator; Associate Vice Chancellor for Native American Studies, University of Colorado Boulder

Board Size
9

Paid Staff Size
Not disclosed

*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Print advertisements

Fundraising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $21,216,873, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on First Nations Development Institute's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023.

Source of Funds
Grants $12,271,436
Government grants $1,290,053
Contributions $7,655,384
Program service fees $103,000
Investment return $1,948,459
Other income $57,013
Total Income $23,325,345

Programs: 90% Fundraising: 4% Administrative: 6%

Total Income $23,325,345
Total expenses: $21,880,286
  Program expenses $19,794,719
  Fundraising expenses $874,412
  Administrative expenses $1,211,155
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $1,445,059
Beginning Net Assets $68,190,121
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $69,635,180
Total Liabilities $4,182,831
Total Assets $73,818,011

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance