For more information, please contact the NCF Program Officer Chag Lowry at 707-442-2993 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Some frequently asked questions: 

1.)  What types of projects are fundable? 

Answer- The Native Cultures Fund focuses on funding art-based projects that connect individual Native artists or a group of Native artists with their respective communities.  The Fund is designed to support Indigenous artists from California as they create meaningful art.  The Fund has supported projects that combine the efforts of several Native artists with community groups as well.  The best thing you can do is call or email the Program Officer with your idea!  Over the past several years the Fund has supported artists or community projects who've done this.  So get a hold of us with your thoughts and ideas!   

2.)  Does the Native Cultures Fund support Tribes or Rancherias? 

Answer-  The Fund will support projects where a California Native Tribe or Rancheria is a project partner working with their community and either an individual artist or a groups of artists.  The Fund is not designed to support Tribal programs or governments.  However, the Fund has supported past projects where a Tribe or Rancheria serves as the fiscal sponsor.   And we encourage Tribal programs to be active partners with artists where possible.    

3.)  Do I have to be a California Native American to be eligible for a grant? 

Answer-  The Fund's primary focus is to support California's many Indigenous artists who are descended from the original peoples of the state.  However, we have supported projects where the master artist or artists are not Native, or who are Native but from other areas.  It depends on the project.  We encourage communities to partner with artists who have prior experience working with California Native people if they are thinking of applying to our Fund. 

4.)  Does our project need to have a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution as part of our group? 

Answer-  No.  The Native Cultures Fund does give grants to individuals.  We also give grants to non-profit organizations who are partners with Native artists.  If you are an individual that is funded, you are expected to keep records of your budget expenses, and you are expected to provide the Fund with both a narrative and financial report at the end of your project.  The same goes for non-profit organizations and Tribe or Rancheria fiscal sponsors. 

5.)  How often does the Native Cultures Fund have grant cycles? 

Answer-  It varies.  The Fund is a partner with other foundations.  Our grant cycles depend on the amount of funding, and the type of funding, that we receive.  If you are interested in helping the Fund with a donation, please call or email the Program Officer.