Na Ah Illahee Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Naah Illahee Fund is an Indigenous-led organization rooted in the Northwest region of Turtle Island. Our mission is to catalyze the ongoing regeneration of Indigenous communities through participatory grantmaking, capacity building, and cultural revitalization that nurtures deep, reciprocal relationships with one another and Mother Earth.
- Income
- $4.6 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 8.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $224,186, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 51% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $1.1 million spent. GRANTMAKING - Our grantmaking program provides critical support to Indigenous communities working to protect land, water, culture, and people. Our participatory approach centers Indigeous knowledge systems and ensures that grantmaking reflects the values and priorities of the communities we serve. This year, we administered three grant cycles. POWER OF CEREMONY grants enabled Tribes, cultural leaders, and families to sustain and revitalize traditional ceremonial practices by supporting seasonal and place-based cultural gatherings, spiritual practices, and intergenerational teachings. The INDIGENOUS LIFEWAYS FUND invested in preserving and sharing cultural practices like traditional foods, plant medicines, fishing, basketry, hide tanning, and language. Our funding promotes sovereignty, economic opportunities, and environmental resilience. Finally, as part of a collaborative statewide effort, our HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL grants resourced Native-led organizations addressing ecological disparities and uplifting the wellbeing of both land and people. We partnered with Front & Centered, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Latino Community Fund, and the Washington State Coalition of African Community Leaders to distribute a combined $3 million in community capacity building grants across overburdened and historically underserved communities.
- $705,625 spent. FISCAL SPONSORSHIP - We provide financial oversight and guidance to emerging native groups leading important projects in Native communities. We provide resources and support in key areas critical to program success, including financial management, program development, grant writing, and systems development. Young Warrior Society and Native Family Learning Lodge are two fiscally sponsored groups experiencing large growth and success. Young Warrior Society is a cultural land project focused on sharing teachings of traditional foods, medicines, and culture. Native Family Learning Lodge is a childcare facility serving Native children and families through multi-language immersion, nature-based curriculum, and food sovereignty activites.
- $329,040 spent. INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP - Our Sovereign Futures Leadership Society is a growing ecosystem of Indigenous leaders and knowledge keepers who are advancing innovative solutions grounded in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), climate resilience, and cultural preservation. In 2024, we conducted a program assessment including community feedback, strengths and assets mapping of past participants, and engaged in strategic planning to reimagine the next phase of Sovereign Futures. With an emphasis on education, skill-sharing, and resourcing, we are preparing to relaunch in 2025 with renewed energy, deepened purpose, and a structure designed to catalyze leadership and movements for self-determined, positive futures across our network of urban, rural, island, and reservation-based Indigenous communities.
- $164,899 spent. ELIP TILIKUM, meaning First Peoples, is a Northwest Native land conservancy. Its focus areas include creating urban spaces of belonging for Native communities, supporting reservation defragmentation projects, and coordinating land return efforts through partnerships, technical assistance, and convenings.
- ELIP TILIKUM, meaning First Peoples, is a Northwest Native 164899. 0. 180033.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.