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After a decade of visioning, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) began in 2009 with a small staff of four.  NACF has accomplished key, critical steps in just two short years.

• Through an initial gift from the Ford Foundation, NACF was able to award grants during the first full year of operation.  Twenty-six awards totaling $394,000 went out in 2010.
• NACF has just closed our second round of grants for 2011. We will be announcing our 2011 grantees in December. 
• This November, NACF held the first national convening of the field.  One hundred Native arts and cultures organizations, funders, and artists from 25 states met for two days to discuss “Strengthening the Bones,” next steps and collaborations needed to build support systems, educational capacity and identify focus areas for arts organizations and leaders, Native and non-Native.

 
Looking to next year and beyond, please help to sustain our work and grow our fund. Our first annual campaign supports:

• Mobilizing the Community through the Arts initiative.
• Development of technology to support the work of NACF.
• Expansion of the fund to support Native artists and arts organizations.

Have you not been moved by a compelling film or inspired by literature that weaves words and truth together with a powerful story? Have you ever had your day brightened by a child’s drawing or passing a sculpture in the park? Music and dance in all their diversity enrich communities, renew pride and keep cultures vital.

Unless we make a conscious effort to bolster our Indigenous arts and link our elders with emerging Native artists, those voices can be lost. When we lose a generation of artists and culture bearers, we also lose a generation of deep wisdom. Our young people are left without roots from which to draw life and hope.

Arts can strengthen America. The journey begins with each of us. No gift is too small and each of us is counted. Current support for Native arts and cultures is minimal. Your decision now could change the present and help support the future of Native arts and cultures across our country. Donate safely online below or mail donations to:

NACF
1009 Officers Row
Vancouver, WA 98661