Friends of Ulnooweg Indigenous Philanthropy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The exempt purpose of Friends of Ulnooweg Indigenous Philanthropy is:- To provide support to the Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation to help it make philanthropic grants to qualified donees and provide scholarships, bursaries and similar assistance to students for the benefit of Indigenous communities and individuals, primarily in Atlantic Canada, and elsewhere.- To provide support to the Ulnooweg Education Centre to help with its Indigenous-focused educational activities, including program and course development and delivery, research and the acquisition and operation of educational facilities.
- Income
- $0
- Spending
- $0
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
- Friends of Ulnooweg Indigenous Philanthropy (FOUIP) was created to help build new, constructive, trust-based relationships between the Indigenous communities and people of Atlantic Canada and philanthropic individuals and organizations in the United States. It reflects the senses of goodwill, co-operation, respect, friendship and family that have existed for generations on both sides of the Canada-US border.It is incorporated in Maine and led by Indigenous people servicing the traditional homelands of the Mi'kmaq, Wolastoqey, Passamaquoddy and Innu communities in what is now Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island and the Gaspe region of Quebec. Its members are the Chiefs of the region, its board consists of Chiefs and other leader elected by the members, and it has professional staff with experience in community economic development, business, accounting and law. A. Ulnooweg Development Group"Ulnooweg" means "our way or "the Indigenous way, and it was the name adopted by the Chiefs of the region 40 years ago when they established Ulnooweg Development Group (UDG), a Canadian not-for-profit corporation, dedicated to community economic development for the benefit of the Indigenous communities and people of the region. UDG provides loans and related business support services to community enterprises and entrepreneurs. UDG has played a key role in a wide range of CED activities, particularly in fisheries, aquaculture, marine industries, and renewable energy. It has helped create and sustain hundreds of businesses and jobs throughout the region. B. Ulnooweg Education Centre Ulnooweg Education Centre (UEC) is a registered charitable organization established in 2013, that creates and delivers a range of innovative educational programs to help young Indigenous people achieve their best life. Its work includes Science & Innovations programs to increase interest and participation in STEM studies, a "Pathways to Engineering" initiative with Dalhousie University, as well as programs that address employment skills, entrepreneurship, the arts, culture, language, ecology and health. This includes the development and delivery of innovative school curricula, youth camps and public educational programs and events. UEC also operates Asitu'lsk meaning "that which brings you balance" a place of Indigenous-led land-based learning near Bridgewater Nova Scotia. It has been a place of Mi'kmaw life and learning for thousands of years, surrounded by old-growth forests, vibrant ecosystems, and water routes. The site supports healing and community connection through experiential learning on the land. With gardens, walking trails, ceremonial and gathering spaces, on-site accommodations, and facilities that support community-led enterprise. Today, Asitu'lsk brings together tradition and innovation as a living centre where education, entrepreneurship, and cultural revitalization intersect.The Ulnooweg Education Centre also engages in valuable research, including Community Financial Reviews. This unique service, developed by UEC, involves detailed analysis of multiple years of audited financial statements of Band governments, and conversion of this dense data into clear graphic formats that illustrate each community's economic and financial situation, including successes, challenges, opportunities and options. These Community Financial Reviews help Chiefs and Councils make more informed decisions in the public interest.The Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities FoundationThe Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation (UICF) was created in 2016. It is an innovative application of the brilliant community foundation model first established in Cleveland in 1914 and Winnipeg in 1921, and that is now at the heart of philanthropy across North America and around the world. UICF's purposes are to: a) raise funds and make charitable donations to Indigenous communities and charities; and b) provide scholarships and bursaries to help Indigenous students succeed in post-secondary education. With the support of several other Canadian charitable foundations, businesses and generous individuals, UICF has made hundreds of contributions to Indigenous communities, charities and students. Essential to this work has been the building of new philanthropic infrastructure to provide pathways for new relationships and co-operation to link the previously disconnected philanthropic sector and Indigenous community opportunities and needs. This includes helping Indigenous communities become "qualified donees" under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and helping new indigenous-led charities to emerge and flourish. UICF has inspired other Indigenous communities and leaders across Canada to create similar new infrastructure and relationships with the philanthropic sector, and UICF provides legal and other professional support to help this emergence outside of the Atlantic region. Indigenous philanthropy is growing into a dynamic and impactful element of the Canadian philanthropy environment. More information is available at https://ulnooweg.ca
Source: Form 990EZ 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 March 2023.
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.