2025-11-13T15:13:34-06:00 2024-12-31 411680240 SDK CPA 100 WASHINGTON AVE S STE 1600 MINNEAPOLIS MN 55401 990 2024-01-01 320248892 THE NATIVE WAYS FEDERATION INC NATI 6124290417 1400 VAN BUREN ST NE STE 200 36 MINNEAPOLIS MN 55413 CARLY BAD HEART BULL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 6124290417 2025-11-12 1 0 WENDY HARDEN CPA P00956490 6123325500 2025-11-12 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z CARLY BAD HEART BULL 1400 VAN BUREN ST NE STE 200 36 MINNEAPOLIS MN 55413 1080871 0 X WWW.NATIVEWAYS.ORG X 2008 MN OUR MISSION IS TO ACTIVATE AND EXPAND INFORMED GIVING TO NATIVE-LED NONPROFITS IN INDIAN COUNTRY THROUGH DONOR EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY. WE ENVISION A THRIVING NATIVE-LED NONPROFIT SECTOR, CHAMPIONING A DIVERSE COMMUNITY ROOTED IN INDIGENOUS VALUES AND WAYS OF BEING.OUR FOUNDING ORGANIZATIONS BEGAN MEETING IN 2006 AND OFFICIALLY INCORPORATED OUR ORGANIZATION WITH THE NAVAJO NATION IN 2008 WITH A FOCUS ON PROMOTING ACCOUNTABILITY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, ISSUES AND ORGANIZATIONS TOWARD MORE EQUITABLE PHILANTHROPY.OUR FOUNDING ORGANIZATIONS WORK ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, AND HAVE A BOARD IN WHICH A MAJORITY OF DIRECTORS ARE NATIVE AMERICAN, ALASKA NATIVE, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, OR PACIFIC ISLANDER. 6 6 4 6 0 0 1219689 1059240 2921 11650 8342 9981 0 0 1230952 1080871 0 0 0 0 384364 432397 0 0 18687 145042 72073 529406 504470 701546 576401 1876977 2428775 73345 48742 1803632 2380033 X NATIVE WAYS FEDERATION'S MISSION IS TO ACTIVATE AND EXPAND INFORMED GIVING TO NATIVE-LED NONPROFITS IN INDIAN COUNTRY THROUGH DONOR EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY. 0 0 465871 11650 IN 2024, NWF EDUCATED AND ADVISED FOUNDATIONS, PHILANTHROPY SERVING ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTING IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES. NWF FOCUSED ON BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH NATIVE-LED AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE NONPROFIT AND PHILANTHROPY SECTOR IN FURTHERANCE OF ITS MISSION. FOR EXAMPLE, NWF OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED THE "ON OUR TERMS: HOW TO SUPPORT A THRIVING NONPROFIT SECTOR" REPORT. THE PREVIOUS YEARS' WORK RESULTED IN THIS REPORT, AND 2024 INCLUDED ADDITIONAL PROMOTION AND POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM NONPROFITS AND FUNDERS ALIKE. IN 2024, NWF PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS CONFERENCE AND PLENARY PANELS EDUCATING OTHERS ON THEIR MISSION AND TOPICS RELATED TO THE NATIVE NONPROFIT SECTOR. NWF FURTHER REFINED AND IMPLEMENTED THEIR TRAINING SERIES FOR PHILANTHROPY-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS TO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT NATIVE COMMUNITIES AND INCREASE THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN WORKING WITH, AND IN SUPPORT OF, NATIVE-LED NONPROFITS. THROUGH VARIOUS ADVISORY ROLES, NWF CONTINUED TO REPRESENT THE NATIVE NONPROFIT SECTOR IN POLICY, BEST PRACTICE AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE CONVERSATIONS WITHIN THE BROADER NONPROFIT AND PHILANTHROPY SECTOR. IN 2024, NWF CONTINUED TO GROW TWO CHARITABLE GIVING CAMPAIGNS, NATIVE NONPROFIT DAY ON MAY 17TH 2024, AND #GIVENATIVE ON GIVING TUESDAY ON DECEMBER 3, 2024. BOTH CAMPAIGNS FOCUSED ON EDUCATING PHILANTHROPY AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE EXISTENCE AND IMPORTANCE OF NATIVE-LED ORGANIZATIONS AND CALLED FOR INCREASED SUPPORT FOR THE SECTOR. NWF HOSTED KICKOFF CALLS FOR NATIVE NONPROFITS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT AND POSSIBILITIES OF THE GIVING DAYS AND TO SHARE STRATEGIES AROUND STORYTELLING, FUNDRISING, AND CALLS TO ACTION. NWF REOPENED THE PUBLIC LIST OF NATIVE-LED ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE CAMPAIGNS. IN 2024, APPROXIMATELY 190 NATIVE-LED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATED IN THESE GIVING DAYS CAMPAIGNS. NWF SURVEYED THESE ORGANIZATIONS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR EXPERIENCE AND THE IMPACT THE CAMPAIGNS HAD ON THEIR GOALS. NWF WILL UTILIZE THE RESULTS OF THESE SURVEYS TO BUILD UPON AND IMPROVE THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES AND OUTREACH EFFORTS THEY DEVELOP FOR BOTH CAMPAIGNS MOVING FORWARD. 465871 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 6 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 MN X CARLY BAD HEART BULL 6124290417 1400 VAN BUREN ST NE STE 200 36 MINNEAPOLIS MN 55413 SARAH ECHOHAWK DIRECTOR 0.60 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL E ROBERTS TREASURER 0.60 X X 0 0 0 SHANNON O'LOUGHLIN VICE CHAIR 0.30 X X 0 0 0 JOHN E ECHOHAWK DIRECTOR 0.30 X 0 0 0 SARAH KASTELIC SECRETARY 0.30 X X 0 0 0 CHERYL CRAZY BULL CHAIR 1.20 X X 0 0 0 CARLY BAD HEART BULL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 129426 0 23568 129426 0 23568 1 0 1 0 0 1059240 1059240 EDUCATION AND TRAINING 611600 8500 8500 HONORARIUMS 611600 3150 3150 11650 9981 9981 1080871 11650 0 9981 152994 139607 7650 5737 208719 190456 10436 7827 46136 42098 2307 1731 24548 22400 1227 921 35671 32548 1784 1339 5530 5045 276 209 3566 3255 178 133 1191 1087 60 44 9474 8645 474 355 1300 1186 65 49 974 888 49 37 2248 2052 112 84 OUTREACH AND EDUCATION 11234 11234 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 5885 5370 294 221 BAD DEBT RECOVERY -5000 -5000 504470 465871 19912 18687 1365058 1307661 503326 1113406 7009 7099 2923 2314 1584 609 1876977 2428775 73345 48742 73345 48742 X 978132 1042152 825500 1337881 1803632 2380033 1876977 2428775 576401 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 41000 52724 39461 130689 43279 307153 41000 52724 39461 130689 43279 307153 202680 104473 4 1095 8342 9981 19422 326575 37997 0.31990 0.29470 X THE NATIVE WAYS FEDERATION, INC. IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION INCORPORATED UNDER THE NAVAJO NATION IN 2008. FOUNDED BY SEVERAL LEADING NATIONAL NATIVE NONPROFITS, OUR MISSION IS TO ACTIVATE AND EXPAND INFORMED GIVING TO NATIVE-LED NONPROFITS IN INDIAN COUNTRY THROUGH DONOR EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY. IN 2019, THE DIRECTORS RECALIBRATED AND HIRED AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN 2020. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S FUNDRAISING EFFORTS ENABLED NWF TO HIRE THREE ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS AND EXPAND PROGRAMMING. IN 2023 THE BOARD APPROVED AN UPDATED STRATEGIC PLAN, AND OUR WORK IS CURRENTLY FOCUSED IN THREE AREAS:1) UNITING AND STRENGTHENING THE NATIVE NONPROFIT SECTOR TO BUILD A BASE OF NATIVE NONPROFITS FOR VISIONING, IDEATION, COLLABORATION, AND MUTUAL SUPPORT2) ADVOCATING FOR AND WITH NATIVE-LED NONPROFITS TO ADVANCE NATIVE NONPROFITS VIA ADVOCACY, NARRATIVES AND REPRESENTATION3) INFLUENCING PHILANTHROPIC SYSTEMS CHANGE - TO INCREASE FUNDING AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR NATIVE-LED ORGANIZATIONS THE NATIVE WAYS FEDERATION, INC. (NWF) QUALIFIES AS A "PUBLICLY SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION DESCRIBED UNDER SECTION 170(B)(1)(A)(VI) AND THEREFORE AS AN ORGANIZATION DESCRIBED IN SECTION 509(A)(1) BECAUSE IT SATISFIES THE "FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TEST" SET FORTH IN SECTION 1.170A-9(E)(3) OF THE TREASURY REGULATIONS.A. THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS NWF IS ELIGIBLE FOR A DETERMINATION OF PUBLIC SUPPORT UNDER THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TEST BECAUSE IT MEETS THE TWO THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION. FIRST, THE PORTION OF NWF'S SUPPORT THAT QUALIFIES AS ELIGIBLE PUBLIC SUPPORT IS APPROXIMATELY 31.99% IN 2024, 29.47% IN 2023 AND 33.10% IN 2022 WHICH EXCEEDS THE 10% THRESHOLD REQUIRED UNDER TREASURY REGULATION SECTION 1.170A-9(E)(3)(I). NWF ALSO PASSED THE PUBLIC SUPPORT TEST IN 2016 AND HAS PLANS TO INCREASE ITS FUNDING DIVERSITY IN THE COMING YEARS. SECOND, NWF'S OPERATIONS ENSURE THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO ATTRACT NEW AND ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SUPPORT, AS REQUIRED BY TREASURY REGULATION SECTION 1.170A-9(E)(3)(II). NWF HAS AN ACTIVE FUNDRAISING PROGRAM TARGETING, INDIVIDUALS, PUBLIC FOUNDATIONS, AND FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS THAT SHARE ITS MISSION, AND AWARDS GRANTS CONSISTENT WITH ORGANIZATIONS QUALIFYING AS PUBLICLY SUPPORTED UNDER THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TEST. B. OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS IN DETERMINING WHETHER NWF MEETS THE "FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TEST," THE TREASURY REGULATIONS ALSO PROVIDE A LIST OF FACTORS THAT SERVE AS INDICIA OF WHETHER AN ORGANIZATION QUALIFIES AS "PUBLICLY SUPPORTED". THE HIGHER THE PERCENTAGE OF SUPPORT ABOVE THE 10% REQUIREMENT, THE LOWER THE ORGANIZATION'S BURDEN IN ESTABLISHING ITS PUBLICLY SUPPORTED NATURE WITH OTHER FACTORS. THESE ADDITIONAL FACTORS, DISCUSSED BELOW, PROVIDE FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT NWF SATISFIES THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TEST. BECAUSE NWF'S PERCENTAGE OF SUPPORT IS 33.10% IN 2022, 29.47% IN 2023 AND 31.99% IN 2024, NWF HAS A LESSER BURDEN IN PROVING ITS PUBLICLY SUPPORTED NATURE THROUGH THESE FACTORS.1. SOURCES OF SUPPORT NWF RECEIVES ITS PUBLIC SUPPORT FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF CONTRIBUTORS. THESE DONORS INCLUDE TAX-EXEMPT ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS. NWF WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THEIR STRATEGIC FUNDRAISING EFFORTS, DEEPEN EXISTING DONOR RELATIONSHIPS AND REACH OUT TO NEW DONOR PROSPECTS IN THE COMING YEARS.2. REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNING BODYTHE REPRESENTATIVE NATURE OF AN ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BODY IS ALSO A FACTOR IN DETERMINING WHETHER IT QUALIFIES UNDER THE "FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TEST." IN CONSIDERING WHETHER A BOARD IS REPRESENTATIVE, THEREBY SATISFYING THE OTHER THRESHOLD REQUIREMENT FOR HISTORY OF LEADERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR TRADITION OF PUBLIC SERVICE ARE RELEVANT. THE BOARD INCLUDES REPRESENTATION FROM NONPROFIT LEADERS IN THE UNITED STATES. IN 2024, THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS SERVED ON NWF'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS:CHERYL CRAZY BULL, CHAIR AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE FUNDSHANNON O'LOUGHLIN, VICE-CHAIR ASSOCIATION ON AMERICAN INDIAN AFFAIRSMICHAEL E. ROBERTS, TREASURER FIRST NATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTESARAH KASTELIC, SECRETARY NATIONAL INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ASSOCIATION JOHN E. ECHOHAWK, DIRECTOR NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUNDSARAH ECHOHAWK, DIRECTOR AMERICAN INDIAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SOCIETY3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAMS UNDER SECTION 1.170A-9(E)(3)(VI)(C)(1) OF THE TREASURY REGULATIONS, ONE FACTOR INDICATING THAT AN ORGANIZATION QUALIFIES AS "PUBLICLY SUPPORTED" UNDER THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TEST IS THAT "MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVING SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERTISE, PUBLIC OFFICIALS, OR CIVIC OR COMMUNITY LEADERS" PARTICIPATE IN, OR SPONSOR NWF'S PROGRAMS. NWF'S FOUNDING ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALL LEADERS IN INDIAN COUNTRY, HEADING UP NATIVE NONPROFITS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. NWF'S WORK IN EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY IS FOCUSED ON INCREASING AWARENESS AND SUPPORT FOR NATIVE-NONPROFITS FROM FOUNDATIONS AND PHILANTHROPY-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS. IN 2021, NWF BEGAN PLANNING FOR A SERIES OF NATIVE-NONPROFIT FOCUS GROUPS, ULTIMATELY LAUNCHED IN 2022. THIS PROJECT BROUGHT TOGETHER NATIVE LEADERS FROM DIVERSE NONPROFITS AND PHILANTHROPIC ENTITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ENGAGE IN CONVERSATIONS RELEVANT TO UNITING AND ADVOCATING FOR NATIVE-LED NONPROFITS AND INFLUENCING THE FIELD OF PHILANTHROPY. NATIVE WAYS FEDERATION PLANS TO CONTINUE HOSTING COLLECTIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH NATIVE NONPROFITS IN FUTURE YEARS AND SHARING WHAT WE LEARN WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND PHILANTHROPIC INFLUENCERS.IN 2022, NATIVE WAYS FEDERATION LAUNCHED TWO PUBLIC GIVING DAYS INITIATIVES, AIMED AT EDUCATING DONORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING NATIVE-LED NONPROFITS BROADLY. THE GIVENATIVE CAMPAIGN, FOCUSES ON EDUCATION AND AWARENESS BUILDING LEADING UP TO AND ON GIVING TUESDAY, THE FIRST TUESDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING EACH YEAR. NATIVE WAYS FEDERATION ALSO LAUNCHED A NEW GIVING DAY CAMPAIGN IN 2022, NATIVE NONPROFIT DAY. THIS CAMPAIGN IS ALSO FOCUSED ON EDUCATION AND AWARENESS BUILDING, LEADING UP TO AND ON THE THIRD FRIDAY IN MAY EACH YEAR. BOTH OF THESE CAMPAIGNS OFFER FREE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND ENCOURAGES BROAD PARTICIPATION. IN 2023, NWF LAUNCHED A NEW PUBLIC RESOURCE LISTING NATIVE-LED NONPROFITS THAT ARE WORKING ACROSS INDIAN COUNTRY. NWF CONTINUES TO BUILD UPON BOTH PUBLIC INITIATIVES, WITH A GOAL OF INCREASING KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING ABOUT AND SUPPORTING NATIVE-LED NONPROFITS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. III. CONCLUSIONIN SUMMARY, NWF HAS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A "PUBLICLY SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION, BASED ON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TEST DESCRIBED IN SECTION 1.170A-9(E)(3) OF THE TREASURY REGULATIONS. SPECIFICALLY, A SMALL NUMBER OF DONORS DO NOT CONTROL THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE; RATHER NWF IS A GROWING ORGANIZATION THAT BEARS MANY OF THE INDICIA OF A "PUBLICLY SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING PUBLIC SUPPORT FROM A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF DONORS, WITH A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNING BODY. MOREOVER, NWF IS CONTINUING TO SEEK NEW SOURCES OF SUPPORT. ACCORDINGLY, NWF QUALIFIES AS A "PUBLICLY SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION DESCRIBED IN SECTION 170(B)(1)(A)(VI). SCHEDULE A, PART VI, LIST OF UNUSUAL GRANTS: DESCRIPTION: EXPANSION OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE DATE: 10/01/24 AMOUNT: 765961. DESCRIPTION: EXPANSION OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE DATE: 10/01/24 AMOUNT: 250000. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 2923 2314 609 609 X 1098871 18000 18000 1080871 0 1080871 522470 18000 18000 504470 0 504470 PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (IRC). THE ORGANIZATION IS REQUIRED TO ASSESS WHETHER AN UNCERTAIN TAX POSITION EXISTS AND IF THERE SHOULD BE RECOGNITION OF A RELATED BENEFIT OR LIABILITY IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS DETERMINED THERE ARE NOT AMOUNTS TO RECORD AS ASSETS OR LIABILITIES RELATED TO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CARLY BAD HEART BULL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 129426 0 0 0 0 0 9534 0 14034 0 152994 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 BOARD MEMBER, SARAH ECHOHAWK, IS THE DAUGHTER OF BOARD MEMBER, JOHN E ECHOHAWK. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE 990, RESOLVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS WITH TAX PREPARER AND CONTRACT ACCOUNTANT. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WILL DISTRIBUTE THE 990 TO BOARD MEMBERS AND FINANCE COMMITTEE AND WILL RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO FILE. BOARD WILL REVIEW 990, RESOLVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, AND VOTE ON MOTION TO FILE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C EMPLOYEES AND BOARD MEMBERS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF NWF AND ARE PROHIBITED FROM USING NWF AND THEIR POSITION FOR PRIVATE PROFIT OR BENEFIT, SUCH AS A CURRENT OR POTENTIAL OWNERSHIP OR INVESTMENT INTEREST, OR COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT. THE PRIVATE INTEREST MAY BE A DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE COVERED PERSON, OR AN INDIRECT BENEFIT THROUGH ANOTHER PARTY TO WHOM THE COVERED INDIVIDUAL HAS A FAMILY, BUSINESS, OR OTHER AFFILIATION. KEY EMPLOYEES, SUCH AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND BOARD MEMBERS MUST SUBMIT A WRITTEN DISCLOSURE ANNUALLY. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN A BOARD MEMBER WHO HAS A FINANCIAL OR PERSONAL INTEREST IN ANY MATTER COMING BEFORE THE BOARD, THEY WILL A) FULLY DISCLOSE THE NATURE OF THE INTEREST AND B) WITHDRAW FROM DISCUSSION, LOBBYING, AND VOTING ON THE MATTER. ANY TRANSACTION OR VOTE INVOLVING A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST MAY BE APPROVED ONLY WHEN A MAJORITY OF DISINTERESTED BOARD MEMBERS DETERMINE THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CORPORATION TO DO SO. RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS: THE MINUTES OF MEETINGS AT WHICH SUCH VOTES ARE TAKEN WILL RECORD SUCH DISCLOSURE, ABSTENTION, AND RATIONALE FOR APPROVAL. AT THE START OF EACH BOARD MEETING, THE CHAIR WILL ASK IF ANY BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST TO DECLARE. THE BOARD WILL INVESTIGATE ANY FAILURES TO DISCLOSE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND TAKE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 COMPENSATION ASSESSMENTS ARE DONE FOR EACH POSITION BASED ON EXPERIENCE, REGION, AND COMPARABLE ORGANIZATION SIZE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 DOCUMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.