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Native Ways Federation Inc

EIN 32-0248892 · Minneapolis, MN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NATIVE WAYS FEDERATION'S MISSION IS TO ACTIVATE AND EXPAND INFORMED GIVING TO NATIVE-LED NONPROFITS IN INDIAN COUNTRY THROUGH DONOR EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$504,470
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
24.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
4
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$152,994, 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 53% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (1)
  1. $465,871 spent. 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.

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

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 21, 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.