I need info about American Indian charities, please

[Dixon]

I get a bit of life insurance as one of the benefits that comes with my new job and I need to designate a beneficiary or two. I'm conscious every day of the fact that we white folks are sort of uninvited guests on Indian land here, and would like to give back a little something to the Indians, so thought I'd designate a couple of deserving Indian charities as beneficiaries. They need to be substantially run by Indians, and I think they need to be officially recognized charities; I think they're called 501(c)3 charities or something like that. Can anyone recommend reputable Indian charities that could use a few bucks to support some sort of good work?

I'd also like to suggest that everyone consider leaving something to the Indians in your will, preferably land! Heaven knows we've taken enough from them; anything we could give would be a pittance by comparison.

Thanks in advance for any helpful response.

["Mad" Miles]

Dixon,

When I organized the "Katrina Survivors Benefit & Charity Bazaar" at Ace in the Hole, 10/1/05 (With the active help of Bruce Rhodes and Ari Camarota among others) I researched grassroots, on the ground, relief non-profits in the Gulf Coast of Southern Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. One that comes to mind is the The United Houma Indians. The indigenous people of that area. I know they get hit by every storm, along with their neighbors.

Also the American Indian College Fund gets mentioned often.

There are Pomo and Miwok local organizations.

Pine Ridge and Rosebud are in the poorest county in the U.S.. I'm sure they have local non-profits.

Charity Navigator is a good source for vetting the legitimacy of any non-profit. Although they do not cover every existing one.

Good On Ya, Mate!

All that's just off the top o' ma' bean. I'm sure a google would give you far more.

What's your new gig? If you can share. I'm curious, since I know you were struggling. And I'm on the market.

[EmeraldMatra]

I give most of my donations to Oglala Lakota College on Pine Ridge Reservation. https://www.olc.edu/
I have been sending them money every year for several years.
Emerald

Dixon,

When I organized the "Katrina Survivors Benefit & Charity Bazaar" at Ace in the Hole, 10/1/05 (With the active help of Bruce Rhodes and Ari Camarota among others) I researched grassroots, on the ground, relief non-profits in the Gulf Coast of Southern Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. One that comes to mind is the The United Houma Indians. The indigenous people of that area. I know they get hit by every storm, along with their neighbors.

Also the American Indian College Fund gets mentioned often.

There are Pomo and Miwok local organizations.

Pine Ridge and Rosebud are in the poorest county in the U.S.. I'm sure they have local non-profits.

Charity Navigator is a good source for vetting the legitimacy of any non-profit. Although they do not cover every existing one.

Good On Ya, Mate!

All that's just off the top o' ma' bean. I'm sure a google would give you far more.

What's your new gig? If you can share. I'm curious, since I know you were struggling. And I'm on the market.

[Karin]

Yes, you should only give to 501c3's which mean they are tax exempt (and people can take donations off their taxes).

More locally, I would recommend the Grace Hudson Museum and Sun House in Ukiah. Grace Hudson painted pictures of the native Pomo people around the early 1920's. Her husband collected and donated Pomo baskets to the Smithsonian. The museum highlights her work and the house where Grace and John lived. The director of the museum has a PhD in Anthropology and is Pomo

Also there is the Museum of the Native American (can't remember correct name) which is part of the Smithsonian in DC. Heavily run by native people.

In Sonoma County you could also donate to Sonoma Indian Health Project and in Mendocino to Consolidated Tribal Health Center. Both are highly legit places that help mostly Native people with no money.

Great idea BTW.

I get a bit of life insurance as one of the benefits that comes with my new job and I need to designate a beneficiary or two. I'm conscious every day of the fact that we white folks are sort of uninvited guests on Indian land here, and would like to give back a little something to the Indians, so thought I'd designate a couple of deserving Indian charities as beneficiaries. They need to be substantially run by Indians, and I think they need to be officially recognized charities; I think they're called 501(c)3 charities or something like that. Can anyone recommend reputable Indian charities that could use a few bucks to support some sort of good work?

I'd also like to suggest that everyone consider leaving something to the Indians in your will, preferably land! Heaven knows we've taken enough from them; anything we could give would be a pittance by comparison.

Thanks in advance for any helpful response.

[Karl Frederick]

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI, https://nmai.si.edu/home) is part of the Smithsonian Institution.

Also there is the Museum of the Native American (can't remember correct name) which is part of the Smithsonian in DC. Heavily run by native people.

[Mayacilium]

Check out the Indigenous Environmental Network. They are one of the most grassroots, effective, well-organized and all around awesome organizations on the planet. I've had the great honor of working a little with these folks, they are right on, genuine and very hard-working.

I give most of my donations to Oglala Lakota College on Pine Ridge Reservation. https://www.olc.edu/
I have been sending them money every year for several years.
Emerald