Passes our checks

Partnership With Native Americans

EIN 47-3730147 · Addison, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standing Financial healthStrong95 out of 100 GovernanceStrong100 out of 100 Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SERVING IMMEDIATE NEEDS, SUPPORTING LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS FOR STRONG, SELF-SUFFICIENT NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES. WE ADDRESS NUTRITION, HEALTH, EDUCATION, EMERGENCY SERVICES, HOLIDAY SUPPORT, AND ANIMAL WELFARE. TO LEARN MORE, SEE SCHEDULE O AND WWW.NATIVEPARTNERSHIP.ORG.

Income: $27.4 million
Spending: $23.3 million
Spent on programs: 66%
Reserves: 13.4 months of spending
Largest source of income: donations and private grants, 94%
Employees: 81
Volunteers: 196
Highest pay: $316,421, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 13.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15
Income fell 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

Independent board
25 of 25
7 of 7 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, 2025, 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 (11)

$7.8 million spent. HEALTH: PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: TO SUPPORT PREVENTATIVE CARE AND HEALTH EDUCATION INITIATIVES OF RESERVATION PROGRAMS SERVING TRIBAL CITIZENS, AND TO HELP THEM MOTIVATE INVOLVEMENT IN HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE SITUATION: A LEGACY OF HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES AND HIGH DISEASE RATES PERSISTS ACROSS NATIVE AMERICA. FOR INSTANCE, NATIVE ADULTS ARE NEARLY 300% MORE LIKELY TO HAVE DIABETES AND 50% MORE LIKELY TO HAVE OBESITY THAN NON-HISPANIC WHITES. YET MEDICAL CARE IS STILL INADEQUATE AND LIMITED TO THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE (I.H.S.). THERE ARE ONLY 500 OF THESE FEDERALLY RUN I.H.S. CLINICS TO SERVE 574 RECOGNIZED TRIBES (LESS THAN 1 PER RESERVATION), AND TRANSPORTATION FOR THE LONG TREK TO ACCESS THESE FACILITIES IS AN ISSUE FOR MANY RESIDENTS. DESPITE CARES ACT FUNDING, I.H.S. REMAINS (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) HEALTH CONTINUED: ILL-SITUATED TO RESPOND TO A HEALTHCARE CRISIS, AND 19% OF NATIVE AMERICANS LACK ANY FORM OF HEALTH INSURANCE FOR OUTSIDE CARE. THUS, TRIBAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS OFTEN TAKE THE LEAD ON PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE, AS WELL AS EFFORTS TO SUPPORT HEALTHIER DIETS. PWNA RESPONSE: THROUGHOUT 2025, PWNA CONTINUED SUPPORTING TRIBAL PROGRAMS THAT OFFER PREVENTATIVE CARE, HOME VISITS, AND HEALTH SCREENINGS, HELPING 299 HEALTH AND WELLNESS PARTNERS ADDRESS DIABETES AT EPIDEMIC LEVELS, OBESITY EVEN FOR YOUTH, TUBERCULOSIS SEVEN TIMES HIGHER THAN FOR WHITES, AND MORE CANCER-RELATED DISPARITIES THAN ANY MINORITY GROUP IN THE U.S. THROUGH THESE PARTNERS, WE SUPPORTED HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 43,268 PEOPLE, INCLUDING PRE- AND POST-NATAL CARE, PARENTING AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, SCREENINGS AND EDUCATION FOR DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, TB, CANCER, AND HEART HEALTH, SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION, IMMUNIZATIONS, MEDICATION MONITORING, AND CARE FOR THE HOMEBOUND OR OTHERS UNABLE TO ACCESS SERVICES. PWNA HELPED TRIBAL PARTNERS BOOST PARTICIPATION BY PROVIDING INCENTIVE ITEMS SUCH AS SOAP, CLEANING SUPPLIES, TOILET PAPER, AND PERSONAL HYGIENE KITS. WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR DONORS, WE SUPPORTED 42 PARTNERS WITH 5,310 COMMUNITY EVENTS SUPPORTING HEALTH EDUCATION AND PREVENTATIVE CARE SUCH AS VACCINES AND SCREENINGS TO HELP IMPROVE OVERALL WELL-BEING. PWNA HAS HOSTED A DEDICATED COMMUNITY EVENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH SHOES THAT FIT THAT PROVIDED SHOES FOR 120 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN. ON THE RESERVATIONS WE SERVE, WE UTILIZE NATIVE CHEFS TO ENSURE CULTURAL RELEVANCE. FORMER T3 TRAINING GRADUATES OFTEN HELP US COOK, SERVE, AND CONDUCT FOOD DEMONSTRATIONS. WHILE T3 WAS INACTIVE IN 2025, WE GRADUATED A TOTAL OF 1,144 PEOPLE WHO EACH HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO TRAIN OTHERS AND IMPACT SIX PEOPLE WITH THE HEALTHIER MEALS THEY PREPARE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO OFFERING NEW COHORTS GOING FORWARD WHEN GRANT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE. *DBA PROGRAMS OF PWNA FOR HEALTH SERVICES: SOUTHWEST RESERVATION AID (SWRA), NORTHERN PLAINS RESERVATION AID (NRPA), NAVAJO RELIEF FUND (NRF), SIOUX NATION RELIEF FUND (SNRF) AND NATIVE AMERICAN AID (NAA).
$3.9 million spent. EMERGENCY SERVICES: PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: TO PROVIDE WINTER WARMTH, SEASONAL SERVICES, SHELTER SUPPLIES, AND DISASTER RELIEF, AND TO SUPPORT TRIBAL READINESS TO RESPOND WHEN DISASTER STRIKES SITUATION: WITH CLIMATE CHANGE DRIVING MORE FREQUENTLY AND DAMAGING DISASTERS SUCH AS FLOODING, FOREST FIRES, BLIZZARDS, AND TORNADOES, PWNA IS A CRITICAL FIRST RESPONDER FOR THE RESERVATIONS. WE ALSO BUILD CAPACITY OF NATIVE COMMUNITIES TO PLAN, TRAIN, AND RESPOND TO SUCH EVENTS WHEN THEY STRIKE LOCALLY. WINTER WARMTH IS ALWAYS A CONCERN FOR THE ELDERS TOO. HOMELESSNESS IS RISING DISPROPORTIONATELY AMONG TRIBAL CITIZENS. NATIVE AMERICANS FACE OVERCROWDING 8 TIME MORE OFTEN THAN WHITES. 40% OF NATIVE AMERICANS LIVE IN SUBSTANDARD-HOMES, AND ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, MORE THAN 21,000 ARE HOMELESS (SHELTERED, UNSHELTERED). IN ADDITION, LACK OF ACCESS TO CLEAN DRINKING WATER (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) EMERGENCY SERVICES CONTINUED: IS AN ISSUE. 75% OF HOPI RESIDENTS RELY ON WATER CONTAMINATED WITH ARSENIC, AND 30% OF NAVAJO FAMILIES HAUL WATER DUE TO 521 ABANDONED URANIUM MINES. IN A 2023 CASE, THE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT "TRIBES HAVE RIGHTS TO AS MUCH WATER AS THEY NEED TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT HOMELAND, AND THOSE RIGHTS STRETCH BACK AT LEAST AS LONG AS ANY GIVEN RESERVATION HAS EXISTED." YET THEY RULED THERE IS NO PROMISE OR OBLIGATION ON THE PART OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO AID TRIBES IN SECURING WATER ACCESS. SO, WHILE CLEAN DRINKING WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT, WATER ACCESS REMAINS A HARDSHIP FOR 48% OF HOMES ON THE RESERVATIONS. PWNA RESPONSE: PWNA CANNOT PREDICT EVERY EMERGENCY, SO WE GIVE SEASONAL AID TO HELP PREPARE FOR THEM. IN 2025, THIS INCLUDED YEAR-ROUND AID TO 57 SHELTERS FOR THE AGED, HOMELESS, DISABLED, AND DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS, AIDING APPROXIMATELY 6,244 PEOPLE. WE ALSO PROVIDED FIREWOOD, COAL, OR WINTER FUEL VOUCHERS TO PINE RIDGE AND NAVAJO ELDERS, AS WELL AS WINTER AND/OR SUMMER EMERGENCY BOXES TO 22 PARTNERS ON 8 RESERVATIONS. THESE EMERGENCY KITS EQUIPPED NATIVE ELDERS WITH SUPPLIES SUCH AS BLANKETS, BATTERIES, CANDLES, WATER, NONPERISHABLE FOOD, AND OTHER ITEMS HELPFUL DURING WINTER STORMS, AND WATER, SUNSCREEN, BUG SPRAY, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, AND OTHER ITEMS HELPFUL DURING THE SUMMER HEAT, STORMS, AND OUTAGES. PWNA ROTATES ITS SEASONAL READINESS SERVICES TO DIFFERENT TRIBAL COMMUNITIES EACH YEAR TO AVOID CREATING DEPENDENCY, BUT THE LEVEL OF NEED SUGGESTS INCREASING THESE SERVICES AS FUNDING PERMITS. LIFE ON THE RESERVATION OFTEN MEANS LESS ACCESS TO OUTSIDE AID WHEN DISASTER STRIKES. PWNA RESPONDED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SIX PARTNERS WHEN DISASTER STRUCK, SUPPORTING SPIRIT LAKE, LEECH LAKE (MN), NAVAJO NATION AND THE SAN CARLOS APACHE WITH MORE THAN 270,000 LBS. OF SUPPLIES. PWNA ALSO INVESTS IN EMERGENCY PLANNING AND TRAINING WITH TRIBAL COMMUNITIES WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CENTER FOR DISASTER PHILANTHROPY, MARGARET A. CARGILL PHILANTHROPIES, AND FEEDING AMERICA. ALONG WITH OTHER LIKE-MINDED ORGANIZATIONS, WE SPONSORED THE THIRD ANNUAL TRIBAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SUMMIT AND FACILITATED TRAINING ON MENTAL HEALTH, LIFE-SAVING SKILLS, MASS FATALITY MANAGEMENT, FIRST AID/CPR, CERT, FEMA TRIBAL COURSES, AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDER SKILLS. THIS PLANNING AND TRAINING BENEFITED TRIBAL PARTICIPANTS REPRESENTING CHEYENNE RIVER, CROW AGENCY, FORT PECK, LAKE TRAVERSE, NORTHERN CHEYENNE, OMAHA, PINE RIDGE, ROSEBUD, SANTEE, LAKE TRAVERSE, STANDING ROCK, AND YANKTON RESERVATIONS IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS AND NAVAJO NATION, MESCALERO APACHE AND HUALAPAI RESERVATIONS IN THE SOUTHWEST. WITH THE CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM FEEDING AMERICA, PWNA EXTENDED THEIR SUPPORT TO LAKE TRAVERSE, HUALAPAI, AND NAVAJO NATION. *DBA PROGRAMS OF PWNA FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES: SOUTHWEST RESERVATION AID (SWRA), NORTHERN PLAINS RESERVATION AID (NRPA), SOUTHWEST INDIAN RELIEF COUNCIL (SWIRC), NAVAJO RELIEF FUND (NRF), SIOUX NATION RELIEF FUND (SNRF), AND NATIVE AMERICAN AID (NAA).
$1.4 million spent. FOOD & WATER: PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: TO EASE FOOD INSECURITY BY INCREASING THE LOCAL FOOD SUPPLY FOR NATIVE AMERICAN ELDERS, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES, AND SUPPORTING FOOD SOVEREIGNTY THROUGH GARDENING AND LOCAL ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS ON THE RESERVATIONS WE SERVE SITUATION: FOOD ON THE TABLE IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT, BUT IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE FOR THE PEOPLE PWNA SERVES. WITH MORE AMERICANS NOW EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY AND FOOD HARDSHIP, THEY ARE REALIZING FOR THE FIRST TIME WHAT NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE BEEN UP AGAINST SINCE THE RESERVATIONS BEGAN IN 1851. LOW FOOD SECURITY - DEFINED AS INSUFFICIENT FOOD QUALITY OR VARIETY FOR DIETARY HEALTH - HAS IMPACTED RESERVATIONS FOR DECADES, FUELING HIGH RATES OF NUTRITION-RELATED DISEASES SUCH AS DIABETES AND OBESITY BECAUSE LESS EXPENSIVE FOODS TEND TO HAVE MORE FAT AND CARBOHYDRATES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) FOOD & WATER CONTINUED: THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DESIGNATES MANY TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AS "FOOD DESERTS" DEVOID OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, AND 51% OF NATIVE RESIDENTS TRAVEL OFF-RESERVATION FOR GROCERY SHOPPING. FOOD HARDSHIPS THE INABILITY TO AFFORD ENOUGH FOOD FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY - HAS INCREASED IN FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, ACCORDING TO A 2018 STUDY BY THE FOOD & ACTION CENTER. NATIVE AMERICANS ARE 400% MORE LIKELY THAN NON-HISPANIC WHITES TO REPORT NOT HAVING ENOUGH TO EAT, AND 23% OF NATIVE FAMILIES FACE FOOD INSECURITY (COMPARED TO 16-19% NATIONWIDE). TODAY, RATHER THAN AN EMERGENCY SOLUTION, FOOD AID HAS BECOME A LONG-TERM SOLUTION WITH MORE FAMILIES CONSISTENTLY NEEDING AID. THIS IS CERTAINLY THE CASE FOR MANY FAMILIES AND FOOD BANKS IN THE COMMUNITIES PWNA SERVES, ALONG WITH ANOTHER HARDSHIP - CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER, WHICH AFFECTS 48% OF NATIVE AMERICANS LIVING ON RESERVATIONS WHO LACK ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER. PWNA RESPONSE: AREAS WITH HIGH POVERTY RATES AND MINORITY POPULATIONS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE FOOD DESERTS. ACCORDINGLY, WE PROVIDED FRESH PRODUCE TO 1,230 HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS THE CHEYENNE RIVER, PINE RIDGE, NAVAJO, AND ZUNI RESERVATIONS. WE PROVIDED EMERGENCY FOOD BOXES TO 3,620 PEOPLE, HELPING ELDERS WORRIED ABOUT BILLS AND GAS FOR THE GROCERY STORE THAT IS OFTEN AN HOUR AWAY. PWNA ALSO PROVIDED STAPLE FOODS TO 253 FOOD BANKS AND/OR SENIOR CENTERS FOR 23,156 PEOPLE, WITH SUPPORT FROM KROGER AND THE JIM FOOTE, PEPSICO, AND BENSTON FOUNDATIONS. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDED 17,815 THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS MEALS, AND 329 ROSEBUD ELDERS PICKED UP 1,284 BAGS OF BREAKFAST GROCERIES, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE BENTSON, AND PEPSICO FOUNDATIONS. WE ALSO PROVIDED MORE THAN 146,000 BOTTLES OF WATER TO COMMUNITIES WITH UNSAFE DRINKING WATER. OUR DRIVERS DROVE OUR FLEET OF DELIVERY VEHICLES 142,330 MILES TO DELIVER THIS FOOD, WATER, AND OTHER BASICS IN 2025. WE ALSO RECEIVED A $50,000 GRANT COMPETITION SPONSORED BY NEWMAN'S OWN FOUNDATION FOR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY INITIATIVES WITH NATIVE YOUTH IN 2025. *DBA PROGRAMS OF PWNA FOR FOOD SERVICES: SOUTHWEST RESERVATION AID (SWRA), NORTHERN PLAINS RESERVATION AID (NRPA), SOUTHWEST INDIAN RELIEF COUNCIL (SWIRC), NAVAJO RELIEF FUND (NRF), SIOUX NATION RELIEF FUND (SNRF) AND NATIVE AMERICAN AID (NAA).
$1.1 million spent. HOLIDAY: PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: TO HELP OUR RESERVATION PARTNERS SPREAD COMMUNITY CHEER, ENGAGEMENT, AND ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT AT TIMES WHEN FAMILIES MAY BE EXPERIENCING MORE DISENFRANCHISEMENT AND SEASONAL STRESS SITUATION: THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE AN EXTRA HARDSHIP FOR NATIVE FAMILIES IN OUR SERVICE AREA. THE ELDERS AND CHILDREN ON THE RESERVATIONS PWNA SERVES ARE CERTAINLY AWARE OF HOLIDAYS CELEBRATED ACROSS THE U.S., BUT SO OFTEN, FAMILIES CANNOT AFFORD HOLIDAY GIFTS OR CELEBRATIONS. NATIVE CHILD POVERTY RATES HAVE CONSISTENTLY EXCEEDED 40% FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS. IN FACT, COMPARED TO WHITES, NATIVE CHILDREN ARE OVER THREE TIMES AS LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE DEEP POVERTY. ABOUT HALF OF NATIVE GRANDPARENTS ARE RAISING GRANDCHILDREN WHILE LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY - AND NATIVE JOBLESSNESS IS TWICE THAT OF WHITES. THE OVERALL RATE OF IMPOVERISHMENT ACROSS THE HUNDREDS OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES PWNA SERVES RANGES FROM 15% TO 54%. PWNA RESPONSE: HAPPY HOLIDAYS CONTRIBUTE TO OVERALL WELL-BEING. DURING THE 2025 HOLIDAYS, PWNA HELPED PROGRAM PARTNERS SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER BY DELIVERING STOCKINGS AND HOLIDAY GIFT BAGS FILLED WITH PRACTICAL ITEMS. THESE GIFTS DELIGHTED 11,131 CHILDREN AND ELDERS ACROSS 25 RESERVATIONS IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS AND IN THE SOUTHWEST. *DBA PROGRAMS OF PWNA FOR HOLIDAY SUPPORT: SOUTHWEST RESERVATION AID (SWRA), NORTHERN PLAINS RESERVATION AID (NRPA), SOUTHWEST INDIAN RELIEF COUNCIL (SWIRC), SIOUX NATION RELIEF FUND (SNRF), AND NATIVE AMERICAN AID (NAA ).
$866,129 spent. EDUCATION SERVICES: PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: TO INCREASE RESOURCES FOR NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATION, SUPPORT ACCESS AND RETENTION OF NATIVE STUDENTS FROM PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH COLLEGE, AND SUPPORT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SITUATION: EDUCATION IS A CORNERSTONE OF ECONOMIC MOBILITY. HOWEVER, DUE TO SYSTEMIC FAILURES AND UNREALIZED TREATY PROMISES, HALF OF NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS ARE NOT FINISHING HIGH SCHOOL. ABOUT 8% OF NATIVE STUDENTS ATTEND RESERVATION SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION (BIE) OR OPERATED BY TRIBES WITH BIE FUNDING. LIKE THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, FEDERALLY RUN BIE SCHOOLS ARE UNDERSTAFFED AND UNDERFUNDED, LEAVING STUDENTS WITH THE LOWEST READING SCORES IN AMERICA. NATIVE STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL THEN FACE BARRIERS TO HIGHER EDUCATION, SUCH AS POVERTY AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION - EVEN WHILE THE GENERAL, NON-NATIVE PUBLIC BELIEVES COLLEGE IS FREE FOR NATIVE AMERICANS. ONLY 19% OF NATIVE AMERICANS AGED 18-24 START COLLEGE, AND ONLY 16% OF NATIVE AMERICANS HOLD A COLLEGE DEGREE (COMPARED TO 40% OF WHITES). THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IS ALSO A BARRIER, AS 65% OF ALL JOBS IN THE ECONOMY REQUIRE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OR TRAINING BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL, INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY, AND SOFT SKILLS. PWNA RESPONSE: IN 2025, PWNA'S AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION FUND (AIEF) PROGRAM INVESTED IN NATIVE STUDENTS FROM CRADLE TO COLLEGE AND CAREER. APPROXIMATELY 13,361 K-12 STUDENTS AT 44 PARTNERS RECEIVED SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND BACKPACKS, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE BRAD LEMONS FOUNDATION, AND EDWARD T ROBINSON JR FAMILY FOUNDATION. ON THE COLLEGE FRONT, NATIVE STUDENTS NEED EQUITABLE ACCESS TO RESOURCES FOR A 21ST-CENTURY EDUCATION, FROM SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO LAPTOPS, SOFTWARE, AND INTERNET ACCESS. SO, PWNA'S STRENGTH-BASED SERVICES HELP FUEL SELF-SUFFICIENCY. PWNA AWARDED $255,670 IN 137 UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, AND VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS, PRIORITIZING SCHOLARS IN THE MIDDLE RANGE OF THE ACADEMIC RANKING WHILE OTHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS MIGHT NOT CONSIDER DESPITE THEIR SERIOUS DRIVE. THE ACADEMIC-YEAR COMPLETION RATE FOR STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE OUR SCHOLARSHIPS IS MORE THAN 95%, MUCH HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. PWNA CREDITS THIS SUCCESS TO INDIVIDUALIZED MENTORING PROVIDED BY THE SYNCHRONY NATIVE AMERICAN EMPLOYEE WORKFORCE GROUP AND SELECTING CANDIDATES WITH A LIKELIHOOD OF OVERCOMING THE FIRST-YEAR CHALLENGES UNIQUE TO NATIVE STUDENTS. SUPPORT FROM THE SYNCHRONY FOUNDATION MADE THIS AWARD LEVEL POSSIBLE. WE PROVIDED LAPTOPS TO FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS AND ASSISTED WITH CLASSROOM SUPPLIES AND CERTIFICATION FEES, THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF SYNCHRONY FOUNDATIONS. WE ALSO PROVIDED STUDENT CARE PACKS AND HOLIDAY GIFTS TO SCHOLARS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. OUR FOUR DIRECTIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (4D) TRAINS EMERGING LEADERS WHO WANT TO MAKE A GREATER IMPACT ON THEIR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. THE CURRICULUM FOR A SIX-MONTH COHORT OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MAY ENCOMPASS CPR AND SELF-DEFENSE, HEALTHY ANCESTRAL FOOD AS MEDICINE, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, PERSONAL BRANDING, AND MORE. OUR 4D CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS SUPPORTED 35 PARTICIPANTS THROUGHOUT THE NORTHERN PLAINS AND SOUTHWEST REGIONS IN 2025 ON FIVE DIFFERENT RESERVATIONS. WE HAVE GRADUATED 242 4D PARTICIPANTS SINCE ITS INCEPTION. *DBA PROGRAMS OF PWNA FOR EDUCATION: AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION FUND (AIEF)
$311,402 spent. ANIMAL WELFARE: PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS CONCERNED WITH ANIMAL WELFARE AND RELATED HUMAN HEALTH RISKS IN REMOTE, UNDERSERVED TRIBAL COMMUNITIES SITUATION: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF RELATIONSHIP WITH ANIMALS; MORE THAN JUST PETS, THEY ARE REGARDED AS RELATIVES IN NATIVE CULTURES. BUT TODAY, AS FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH POVERTY, SO TOO DO THE ANIMALS, AND THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM STRAYS AND OVERPOPULATION ARE IMMENSE FOR SOME RESERVATIONS. PETA CITES THAT, IN JUST 6 YEARS, ONE FEMALE DOG AND HER OFFSPRING CAN PRODUCE 67,000 PUPS; IN JUST 7 YEARS, ONE FEMALE CAT AND HER OFFSPRING CAN PRODUCE 370,000 KITTENS. THE RESERVATIONS WE SERVE ARE UNABLE TO CARE FOR THAT MANY ANIMALS, SO SOME PARTNERS HOLD SPAY/NEUTER CLINICS MONTHLY. STILL, ABOUT 88% OF PETS LIVING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES HAVE NOT BEEN SPAYED/NEUTERED, AND 69% HAVE NEVER SEEN A VETERINARIAN. ON TOP OF THIS, RESERVATION SHELTERS ARE CONGESTED BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO ADOPTED DURING THE PANDEMIC BROUGHT THE DOGS BACK WHEN THEY RETURNED TO WORK. OUR RESERVATION PARTNERS STILL HOPE TO FIND HOMES FOR EACH ONE. PWNA RESPONSE: PWNA'S RESERVATION ANIMAL RESCUE (RAR) PROGRAM SUPPORTS GROUPS THAT RESCUE, REHABILITATE, AND REHOME ANIMALS, ENSURING THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED FOR QUALITY OF LIFE. SUPPORTING POTENTIAL FOSTER FAMILIES IS OFTEN A KEY TO REHOMING, SO WE SUPPLIED MORE THAN 59,000 POUNDS OF SUPPLIES TO SIX ANIMAL WELFARE PARTNERS IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS AND SOUTHWEST REGIONS ON THE COLORADO RIVER, LAKE TRAVERSE, OMAHA TRIBE, NAVAJO NATION, WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE, AND ZUNI PUEBLO RESERVATIONS. WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR DONORS, RESERVATION ANIMAL RESCUE ALSO AWARDED GRANT SUPPORT OF $57,200 FOR MORE THAN 700 PETS ON EIGHT RESERVATIONS. *DBA PROGRAMS OF PWNA FOR ANIMAL WELFARE: RESERVATION ANIMAL RESCUE (RAR)
PUBLIC EDUCATION: PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY, MODERN-DAY LIFE ON THE RESERVATIONS, AND PWNA PROGRAMS AND IMPACT, WHILE ADDRESSING PERSISTENT MISCONCEPTIONS THAT HINDER OPPORTUNITY AND EQUITY FOR NATIVE PEOPLES SITUATION: THE NEED FOR AMERICA TO BECOME MORE NATIVEAWARE HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER. HARMFUL STEREOTYPES AND LACK OF ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT NATIVE PEOPLE, HISTORY, ISSUES, AND FUNDING CONTRIBUTE TO RACIAL/SOCIAL INEQUITY AND INADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. MANY AMERICANS BELIEVE NATIVE AMERICANS RECEIVE FREE HOUSING AND HEALTHCARE, GO TO COLLEGE FOR FREE OR RECEIVE A GOVERNMENT CHECK EVERY MONTH JUST FOR BEING NATIVE. SO, FOR ALL THE BILLIONS GIVEN FOR PHILANTHROPY IN THE UNITED STATES, LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF 1 PERCENT IS AIDING NATIVE AMERICAN CAUSES. MEANWHILE, TRIBAL NATIONS FACE CHALLENGES THAT STEM DIRECTLY FROM BROKEN TREATIES, A CENSUS UNDERCOUNT THAT LIMITS FEDERAL FUNDING TO TRIBES, AND SYSTEMIC FAILURES IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT ARE DETRIMENTAL TO NATIVE STUDENTS. AMIDST THE RICH CULTURE AND UNITY OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, AMERICANS QUICKLY FORGET THE SPOTLIGHT THAT COVID-19 SHINED ON FOOD AND WATER INSECURITY, LACK OF HEALTH CARE AND HOUSING, AND EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY BARRIERS - CHALLENGES THAT HAVE PERSISTED FOR DECADES. AND NOW INFLATION IS STACKED ON TOP OF ALL THESE NEEDS. PWNA RESPONSE: INCREASING PUBLIC EDUCATION TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE U.S. BECOME MORE NATIVEAWARE IS A CRUCIAL STEP TOWARD POSITIVE CHANGE. PWNA REACHED A POTENTIAL READING, LISTENING, AND VIEWING AUDIENCE OF ABOUT 672 MILLION PEOPLE WITH NEWS MEDIA ABOUT CURRENT CHALLENGES AND REALITIES ON THE RESERVATIONS. WE ACHIEVED THIS THROUGH 167 NEWS ARTICLES, PRESS RELEASES, SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT, FRESH CONTENT ON OUR WEBSITE, AND TIMELY ORIGINAL CONTENT ON OUR BLOG. IN ADDITION, OUR PRESIDENT & CEO CONTINUED PUBLIC EDUCATION THROUGH THESE AND OTHER EFFORTS IN 2025, INCLUDING: * PANEL MODERATOR: 'REDEFINING NATIVE AMERICANS IN MEDIA: PROGRESS, VISIBILITY & AUTHENTICITY' AT SIE'S IMPACT + PROFIT 25 CONFERENCE. LOS ANGELES, CA * FIRESIDE CHAT WITH PATHWARD REGARDING PWNA'S AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION FUND AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE AED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. VIRTUAL * NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH PRESENTER FOR PEPSICO/FRITO LAY'S RISE EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP ON PWMA'S AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION FUND. VIRTUAL * SPEAKER FOR RALPH LAUREN'S EMPLOYEE IMPACT GROUP ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS. VIRTUAL * PRESENTATION TO ARIZENT'S ERG AND BIPOC EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION. VIRTUAL * PRESENTER TO KIWANIS CLUB OF ALLEN (TX) ON HOW TO BECOME NATIVE AWARE. * PRE CONFERENCE WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: NATIONAL TRIBAL HEALTH CONFERENCE ON THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLANS & INDIGENOUS FOOD SECURITY * 2025-9: PRESENTER AT THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS (DEMA). PHOENIX, AZ * 2025-9: PRESENT TO THE COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES HEALTH BOARD: POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS. PARKER, AZ * 2025-5: 3RD ANNUAL TRIBAL EMERGENCY MANAGERS SUMMIT, PRESENTER 'HOW TO LEAD DURING ADVERSITY'. RAPID CITY, SD * 2025-4: NATIONAL DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, PANELIST. LOS ANGELES CA * ACCEPTING D CEO MAGAZINE'S LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR 2025 * ACCEPTING THE 2025 ANTHEM AWARD IN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING (NONPROFIT LEADER)
(EXPENSES $ 1,131,648 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 646,985) HOLIDAY: PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: TO HELP OUR RESERVATION PARTNERS SPREAD COMMUNITY CHEER, ENGAGEMENT, AND ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT AT TIMES WHEN FAMILIES MAY BE EXPERIENCING MORE DISENFRANCHISEMENT AND SEASONAL STRESS SITUATION: THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE AN EXTRA HARDSHIP FOR NATIVE FAMILIES IN OUR SERVICE AREA. THE ELDERS AND CHILDREN ON THE RESERVATIONS PWNA SERVES ARE CERTAINLY AWARE OF HOLIDAYS CELEBRATED ACROSS THE U.S., BUT SO OFTEN, FAMILIES CANNOT AFFORD HOLIDAY GIFTS OR CELEBRATIONS. NATIVE CHILD POVERTY RATES HAVE CONSISTENTLY EXCEEDED 40% FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS. IN FACT, COMPARED TO WHITES, NATIVE CHILDREN ARE OVER THREE TIMES AS LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE DEEP POVERTY. ABOUT HALF OF NATIVE GRANDPARENTS ARE RAISING GRANDCHILDREN WHILE LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY - AND NATIVE JOBLESSNESS IS TWICE THAT OF WHITES. THE OVERALL RATE OF IMPOVERISHMENT ACROSS THE HUNDREDS OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES PWNA SERVES RANGES FROM 15% TO 54%. PWNA RESPONSE: HAPPY HOLIDAYS CONTRIBUTE TO OVERALL WELL-BEING. DURING THE 2025 HOLIDAYS, PWNA HELPED PROGRAM PARTNERS SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER BY DELIVERING STOCKINGS AND HOLIDAY GIFT BAGS FILLED WITH PRACTICAL ITEMS. THESE GIFTS DELIGHTED 11,131 CHILDREN AND ELDERS ACROSS 25 RESERVATIONS IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS AND IN THE SOUTHWEST. *DBA PROGRAMS OF PWNA FOR HOLIDAY SUPPORT: SOUTHWEST RESERVATION AID (SWRA), NORTHERN PLAINS RESERVATION AID (NRPA), SOUTHWEST INDIAN RELIEF COUNCIL (SWIRC), SIOUX NATION RELIEF FUND (SNRF), AND NATIVE AMERICAN AID (NAA ).
(EXPENSES $ 866,129 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 122,590)(REVENUE $ 6,500) EDUCATION SERVICES: PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: TO INCREASE RESOURCES FOR NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATION, SUPPORT ACCESS AND RETENTION OF NATIVE STUDENTS FROM PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH COLLEGE, AND SUPPORT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SITUATION: EDUCATION IS A CORNERSTONE OF ECONOMIC MOBILITY. HOWEVER, DUE TO SYSTEMIC FAILURES AND UNREALIZED TREATY PROMISES, HALF OF NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS ARE NOT FINISHING HIGH SCHOOL. ABOUT 8% OF NATIVE STUDENTS ATTEND RESERVATION SCHOOLS OPERATED BY THE BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION (BIE) OR OPERATED BY TRIBES WITH BIE FUNDING. LIKE THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, FEDERALLY RUN BIE SCHOOLS ARE UNDERSTAFFED AND UNDERFUNDED, LEAVING STUDENTS WITH THE LOWEST READING SCORES IN AMERICA. NATIVE STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL THEN FACE BARRIERS TO HIGHER EDUCATION, SUCH AS POVERTY AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION - EVEN WHILE THE GENERAL, NON-NATIVE PUBLIC BELIEVES COLLEGE IS FREE FOR NATIVE AMERICANS. ONLY 19% OF NATIVE AMERICANS AGED 18-24 START COLLEGE, AND ONLY 16% OF NATIVE AMERICANS HOLD A COLLEGE DEGREE (COMPARED TO 40% OF WHITES). THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IS ALSO A BARRIER, AS 65% OF ALL JOBS IN THE ECONOMY REQUIRE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OR TRAINING BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL, INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY, AND SOFT SKILLS. PWNA RESPONSE: IN 2025, PWNA'S AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION FUND (AIEF) PROGRAM INVESTED IN NATIVE STUDENTS FROM CRADLE TO COLLEGE AND CAREER. APPROXIMATELY 13,361 K-12 STUDENTS AT 44 PARTNERS RECEIVED SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND BACKPACKS, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE BRAD LEMONS FOUNDATION, AND EDWARD T ROBINSON JR FAMILY FOUNDATION. ON THE COLLEGE FRONT, NATIVE STUDENTS NEED EQUITABLE ACCESS TO RESOURCES FOR A 21ST-CENTURY EDUCATION, FROM SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO LAPTOPS, SOFTWARE, AND INTERNET ACCESS. SO, PWNA'S STRENGTH-BASED SERVICES HELP FUEL SELF-SUFFICIENCY. PWNA AWARDED $255,670 IN 137 UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, AND VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS, PRIORITIZING SCHOLARS IN THE MIDDLE RANGE OF THE ACADEMIC RANKING WHILE OTHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS MIGHT NOT CONSIDER DESPITE THEIR SERIOUS DRIVE. THE ACADEMIC-YEAR COMPLETION RATE FOR STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE OUR SCHOLARSHIPS IS MORE THAN 95%, MUCH HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. PWNA CREDITS THIS SUCCESS TO INDIVIDUALIZED MENTORING PROVIDED BY THE SYNCHRONY NATIVE AMERICAN EMPLOYEE WORKFORCE GROUP AND SELECTING CANDIDATES WITH A LIKELIHOOD OF OVERCOMING THE FIRST-YEAR CHALLENGES UNIQUE TO NATIVE STUDENTS. SUPPORT FROM THE SYNCHRONY FOUNDATION MADE THIS AWARD LEVEL POSSIBLE. WE PROVIDED LAPTOPS TO FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS AND ASSISTED WITH CLASSROOM SUPPLIES AND CERTIFICATION FEES, THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF SYNCHRONY FOUNDATIONS. WE ALSO PROVIDED STUDENT CARE PACKS AND HOLIDAY GIFTS TO SCHOLARS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. OUR FOUR DIRECTIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (4D) TRAINS EMERGING LEADERS WHO WANT TO MAKE A GREATER IMPACT ON THEIR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. THE CURRICULUM FOR A SIX-MONTH COHORT OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MAY ENCOMPASS CPR AND SELF-DEFENSE, HEALTHY ANCESTRAL FOOD AS MEDICINE, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, PERSONAL BRANDING, AND MORE. OUR 4D CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS SUPPORTED 35 PARTICIPANTS THROUGHOUT THE NORTHERN PLAINS AND SOUTHWEST REGIONS IN 2025 ON FIVE DIFFERENT RESERVATIONS. WE HAVE GRADUATED 242 4D PARTICIPANTS SINCE ITS INCEPTION. *DBA PROGRAMS OF PWNA FOR EDUCATION: AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION FUND (AIEF)
(EXPENSES $ 311,402 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 165,015) ANIMAL WELFARE: PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS CONCERNED WITH ANIMAL WELFARE AND RELATED HUMAN HEALTH RISKS IN REMOTE, UNDERSERVED TRIBAL COMMUNITIES SITUATION: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF RELATIONSHIP WITH ANIMALS; MORE THAN JUST PETS, THEY ARE REGARDED AS RELATIVES IN NATIVE CULTURES. BUT TODAY, AS FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH POVERTY, SO TOO DO THE ANIMALS, AND THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM STRAYS AND OVERPOPULATION ARE IMMENSE FOR SOME RESERVATIONS. PETA CITES THAT, IN JUST 6 YEARS, ONE FEMALE DOG AND HER OFFSPRING CAN PRODUCE 67,000 PUPS; IN JUST 7 YEARS, ONE FEMALE CAT AND HER OFFSPRING CAN PRODUCE 370,000 KITTENS. THE RESERVATIONS WE SERVE ARE UNABLE TO CARE FOR THAT MANY ANIMALS, SO SOME PARTNERS HOLD SPAY/NEUTER CLINICS MONTHLY. STILL, ABOUT 88% OF PETS LIVING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES HAVE NOT BEEN SPAYED/NEUTERED, AND 69% HAVE NEVER SEEN A VETERINARIAN. ON TOP OF THIS, RESERVATION SHELTERS ARE CONGESTED BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO ADOPTED DURING THE PANDEMIC BROUGHT THE DOGS BACK WHEN THEY RETURNED TO WORK. OUR RESERVATION PARTNERS STILL HOPE TO FIND HOMES FOR EACH ONE. PWNA RESPONSE: PWNA'S RESERVATION ANIMAL RESCUE (RAR) PROGRAM SUPPORTS GROUPS THAT RESCUE, REHABILITATE, AND REHOME ANIMALS, ENSURING THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED FOR QUALITY OF LIFE. SUPPORTING POTENTIAL FOSTER FAMILIES IS OFTEN A KEY TO REHOMING, SO WE SUPPLIED MORE THAN 59,000 POUNDS OF SUPPLIES TO SIX ANIMAL WELFARE PARTNERS IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS AND SOUTHWEST REGIONS ON THE COLORADO RIVER, LAKE TRAVERSE, OMAHA TRIBE, NAVAJO NATION, WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE, AND ZUNI PUEBLO RESERVATIONS. WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR DONORS, RESERVATION ANIMAL RESCUE ALSO AWARDED GRANT SUPPORT OF $57,200 FOR MORE THAN 700 PETS ON EIGHT RESERVATIONS. *DBA PROGRAMS OF PWNA FOR ANIMAL WELFARE: RESERVATION ANIMAL RESCUE (RAR)
(EXPENSES $ INCLUDING GRANTS OF $) PUBLIC EDUCATION: PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM: TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY, MODERN-DAY LIFE ON THE RESERVATIONS, AND PWNA PROGRAMS AND IMPACT, WHILE ADDRESSING PERSISTENT MISCONCEPTIONS THAT HINDER OPPORTUNITY AND EQUITY FOR NATIVE PEOPLES SITUATION: THE NEED FOR AMERICA TO BECOME MORE NATIVEAWARE HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER. HARMFUL STEREOTYPES AND LACK OF ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT NATIVE PEOPLE, HISTORY, ISSUES, AND FUNDING CONTRIBUTE TO RACIAL/SOCIAL INEQUITY AND INADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. MANY AMERICANS BELIEVE NATIVE AMERICANS RECEIVE FREE HOUSING AND HEALTHCARE, GO TO COLLEGE FOR FREE OR RECEIVE A GOVERNMENT CHECK EVERY MONTH JUST FOR BEING NATIVE. SO, FOR ALL THE BILLIONS GIVEN FOR PHILANTHROPY IN THE UNITED STATES, LESS THAN ONE-HALF OF 1 PERCENT IS AIDING NATIVE AMERICAN CAUSES. MEANWHILE, TRIBAL NATIONS FACE CHALLENGES THAT STEM DIRECTLY FROM BROKEN TREATIES, A CENSUS UNDERCOUNT THAT LIMITS FEDERAL FUNDING TO TRIBES, AND SYSTEMIC FAILURES IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT ARE DETRIMENTAL TO NATIVE STUDENTS. AMIDST THE RICH CULTURE AND UNITY OF TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, AMERICANS QUICKLY FORGET THE SPOTLIGHT THAT COVID-19 SHINED ON FOOD AND WATER INSECURITY, LACK OF HEALTH CARE AND HOUSING, AND EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY BARRIERS - CHALLENGES THAT HAVE PERSISTED FOR DECADES. AND NOW INFLATION IS STACKED ON TOP OF ALL THESE NEEDS. PWNA RESPONSE: INCREASING PUBLIC EDUCATION TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE U.S. BECOME MORE NATIVEAWARE IS A CRUCIAL STEP TOWARD POSITIVE CHANGE. PWNA REACHED A POTENTIAL READING, LISTENING, AND VIEWING AUDIENCE OF ABOUT 672 MILLION PEOPLE WITH NEWS MEDIA ABOUT CURRENT CHALLENGES AND REALITIES ON THE RESERVATIONS. WE ACHIEVED THIS THROUGH 167 NEWS ARTICLES, PRESS RELEASES, SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT, FRESH CONTENT ON OUR WEBSITE, AND TIMELY ORIGINAL CONTENT ON OUR BLOG. IN ADDITION, OUR PRESIDENT & CEO CONTINUED PUBLIC EDUCATION THROUGH THESE AND OTHER EFFORTS IN 2025, INCLUDING: * PANEL MODERATOR: 'REDEFINING NATIVE AMERICANS IN MEDIA: PROGRESS, VISIBILITY & AUTHENTICITY' AT SIE'S IMPACT + PROFIT 25 CONFERENCE. LOS ANGELES, CA * FIRESIDE CHAT WITH PATHWARD REGARDING PWNA'S AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION FUND AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE AED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. VIRTUAL * NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH PRESENTER FOR PEPSICO/FRITO LAY'S RISE EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP ON PWMA'S AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION FUND. VIRTUAL * SPEAKER FOR RALPH LAUREN'S EMPLOYEE IMPACT GROUP ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS. VIRTUAL * PRESENTATION TO ARIZENT'S ERG AND BIPOC EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION. VIRTUAL * PRESENTER TO KIWANIS CLUB OF ALLEN (TX) ON HOW TO BECOME NATIVE AWARE. * PRE CONFERENCE WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: NATIONAL TRIBAL HEALTH CONFERENCE ON THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLANS & INDIGENOUS FOOD SECURITY * 2025-9: PRESENTER AT THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS (DEMA). PHOENIX, AZ * 2025-9: PRESENT TO THE COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES HEALTH BOARD: POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS. PARKER, AZ * 2025-5: 3RD ANNUAL TRIBAL EMERGENCY MANAGERS SUMMIT, PRESENTER 'HOW TO LEAD DURING ADVERSITY'. RAPID CITY, SD * 2025-4: NATIONAL DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, PANELIST. LOS ANGELES CA * ACCEPTING D CEO MAGAZINE'S LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR 2025 * ACCEPTING THE 2025 ANTHEM AWARD IN DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING (NONPROFIT LEADER)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.

What it says it does

Financial health

Reserves

Debt

Living within its means

Income trend

Spending floor

Governance

Independent board

Conflict of interest policy

Whistleblower policy

Record keeping policy

Board minutes

Board sees the tax return

Pay set independently

Independent check of accounts

No reported misuse

Impact evidence

Legitimacy checks

Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.