Reflecting on Our Affiliate Program
In our recent Four-Year Reflection Report, SGF looked back on the work we’ve done and the impact we’ve had within the Indigenous community in the years since the COVID-19 crisis took hold. As others pulled back, we did our best to reach out. Our grantmaking grew, our Fellowships expanded, our Affiliates thrived, and when it was safe to gather together again, we did. Below is an excerpt regarding our affiliate program. We wanted to take time to specifically look at our impact and growth over the years.
Although SGF was founded in March 1977 following the White Roots of Peace Caravan, we initially operated under the fiscal sponsorship of The Youth Project as the Tribal Sovereignty Project, similar to many Native community-based organizations in our Affiliate program. After seven years of growth and support, we achieved independence and were officially incorporated in April 1984. Now, four decades later, we can extend the same care and support we once received to other Indigenous initiatives through our Affiliate program.
We are proud to support Native grassroots communities and projects that serve as the backbone for the Indigenous Peoples Movement. A fiscal sponsorship with us is not just paperwork. We do not serve as a mere pass-through; the Affiliate projects brought within the embrace of SGF serve as our direct connection to the communities and families supported. The relationships we form are deeply personal and embody the kindness and trust with which we operate with all our grantees and partners. The direct and sustained support we offer our over 32 Affiliates includes technical assistance, financial management and oversight, program development support, direct capacity-building opportunities, and access to philanthropic fundraising opportunities and networks. We are proud to be in service to, and standing in right relations with, Affiliate projects such as:
Traditional Native American Farmers Association is focused on revitalizing traditional agriculture for spiritual and human need by creating awareness and support for Native environmental issues.
“TNAFA has been an affiliate of SGF for many years. During COVID, SGF was there to provide support, including funding, that could be directed towards this very critical time. We were able to grow our free seed program to provide food security and meet the spike in demand from our communities. If it wasn’t for SGF allowing and trusting TNAFA to see the best, quickest way to make a positive difference, this may have taken much longer to materialize.” — Clayton Brascoupe, program director, Traditional Native American Farmers Association
Mother & Daughters Native Moon provides education, awareness, and supplies of menstrual moon cycle products for Native girls.
“Being an affiliate opened other doors for us and helped us achieve more than we could imagine. If it wasn’t for SGF we wouldn’t be able to share and provide for the young girls like we do. Being able to provide period products to the Indigenous Communities has helped end period poverty one girl at a time. We have helped over 600 youth in our own local counties and have shared our program and idea with multiple agencies and outside counties.” — Teresa McGinnis, creator/director, Mother & Daughters Native Moon
If you’re interested in learning more about our work over the last four years, you can read the full Four-Year Reflection Report which goes into greater detail on the work we’ve been able to achieve.
