First Peoples Fund
About First Peoples Fund
First Peoples Fund, headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, is guided by the principle of Collective Spirit—a commitment to nurture shared humanity and honor our interconnection with one another, the lands we inhabit, those who came before us, and the spirit of all things. Founded in 1995, the organization has spent nearly three decades supporting the cultural, artistic, and ancestral practices of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian artists, families, and communities. The Collective Spirit philosophy moves First Peoples Fund to stand up and make a difference, to pass on ancestral knowledge, and to extend generosity—recognizing that these values are essential to sustaining the cultural fabric of Native communities and enabling them to thrive and heal. The organization's mission centers on honoring and supporting the Collective Spirit of First Peoples artists and culture bearers, understanding that art and culture serve as the creative lifeblood of Indigenous communities. First Peoples Fund believes that individual artists and their families are the foundation for broader community transformation. Through this lens, the organization provides not just financial resources but also creates spaces for connection, celebration, and knowledge-sharing—from the Collective Spirit Podcast featuring Native artists discussing their practices, to community events like the 25th Anniversary celebration at the Kennedy Center. By fostering relationships among artists, communities, and supporters, First Peoples Fund works to strengthen the Indigenous arts ecology and ensure that Native creative expression, teachings, and lifeways continue to flourish for generations to come.