North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To promote Indigenous foodways education and facilitate Indigenous food access.
- Income
- $6.3 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 12.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 83%
- Employees
- 42
- Volunteers
- 3
- Highest pay
- $157,551, president/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: 96 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 70% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 81% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
- $946,106 spent. Indigenous Food AccessThe Indigenous Food Access program at North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS) has made significant progress in enhancing access to healthy Indigenous foods and building capacity for Tribal kitchens over the past year. 1. Capacity Building for Tribal Kitchens: The program successfully provided technical assistance and resources to 10 Tribal kitchens, analyzing their capacity to improve their operations and expand their offerings. This included training on food safety, menu planning, and sourcing local Indigenous ingredients, as well as comprehensive lists of equipment needed to prepare these foods and links to purchase this equipment. The objective of this initiative is to strengthen the capacity of Tribal kitchens to provide nutritious meals that reflect Indigenous culinary traditions, ultimately promoting food sovereignty within their communities. 2. Community Events and Food Distribution: Over the past year, the program organized 15 community events focused on food access, including harvest festivals and cooking demonstrations. These events attracted around 600 participants, fostering community engagement and awareness of Indigenous food systems. Additionally, the program facilitated the distribution of over 2,000 pounds of locally sourced Indigenous foods to families in need, addressing food insecurity within the community. The long-term goal is to create a sustainable food network that ensures all community members have access to healthy Indigenous foods. 3. Educational Workshops: The program conducted 12 educational workshops aimed at teaching community members about traditional food preparation, foraging, and the nutritional benefits of Indigenous foods. Approximately 180 participants attended these workshops, which emphasized hands-on learning and cultural connection. The objective is to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to reclaim their food heritage and make informed dietary choices that support their health and well-being.Through these accomplishments, the Indigenous Food Access program has effectively advanced NATIFS' mission of promoting food sovereignty, enhancing access to healthy Indigenous foods, and revitalizing cultural practices, ultimately contributing to the health and resilience of Native communities.
- $201,906 spent. Education TeamThe Education team at North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS) has made significant strides in promoting Indigenous foodways education and cultural preservation over the past year. 1. Curriculum Development: The team successfully developed and implemented 15 culturally relevant lesson plans focused on Indigenous food systems, traditional knowledge, and sustainable practices. These materials were created in collaboration with Indigenous knowledge bearers and are now available for public use on our website. The objective of this initiative is to enhance educational resources for Indigenous youth and educators, fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous foodways. 2. Workshops and Training Sessions: Over the past year, the Education team organized over 20 workshops and training sessions, reaching more than 250 participants, including Indigenous youth, community members, and educators. These sessions provided hands-on learning experiences in traditional food preparation, foraging, and cooking techniques. Notably, the team hosted a successful series of workshops, which resulted in a 30% increase in participant engagement compared to the previous year. The long-term goal is to empower participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to reclaim their food heritage and promote food sovereignty within their communities. 3. Partnerships with Educational Institutions: The team established partnerships with educational institutions, integrating Indigenous food systems content into their curricula. This collaboration has resulted in the inclusion of Indigenous food education in at least 5 classrooms, benefiting an estimated 300 students. Additionally, the Education team conducted training sessions for educators to equip them with the tools needed to effectively teach Indigenous foodways. The objective is to create a sustainable model for incorporating Indigenous knowledge into formal education, ensuring that future generations are connected to their cultural heritage.Through these accomplishments, the Education team has effectively advanced NATIFS' mission of promoting Indigenous foodways education, facilitating food access, and revitalizing ancestral knowledge, ultimately contributing to the health and well-being of Native communities.
- $139,582 spent. Expansion of the Indigenous Food LabThe expansion of the Indigenous Food Lab (IFL) in Minneapolis and the establishment of new locations in Montana have yielded significant accomplishments in promoting Indigenous culinary traditions and enhancing food access within Native communities. 1. Objective and Long-Term Goals: The primary objective of expanding the IFL is to enhance access to Indigenous culinary education and resources, empowering individuals to reclaim their food heritage. In the short term, the goal is to provide training and support to at least 500 individuals annually, equipping them with the skills needed to prepare traditional Indigenous foods. The long-term goal is to establish a sustainable network of Indigenous Food Labs across multiple locations, including Montana, that serve as hubs for culinary training, cultural education, and community engagement. This initiative aims to promote food sovereignty and improve overall health and well-being within Native communities. 2. Estimated Impact: While exact figures may vary, it is estimated that the expansion of the IFL will result in a 40% increase in the number of individuals trained in Indigenous culinary practices over the next year. Furthermore, the establishment of a new location in Montana is projected to reach an additional 300 clients annually, significantly broadening the impact of the program. Through these accomplishments, the expansion of the Indigenous Food Lab has effectively advanced NATIFS' mission of promoting Indigenous foodways education, enhancing food access, and revitalizing cultural practices, ultimately contributing to the health and resilience of Native communities.
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 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 November 6, 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 2024.
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 January 2018.
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 November 4, 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.