Tiwahe Foundation Announces $200,000 Endowment Challenge Grant

Source: Tiwahe Foundation 01/25/2012

(Jan. 25, 2012) - The Tiwahe Foundation Board of Directors and Seventh Generation Endowment Committee is pleased to announce a $200,000 2:1 endowment challenge match grant from The Saint Paul Foundation and F. R. Bigelow Foundation, two affiliates of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. Each foundation contributed $100,000 to the Endowment Campaign.

“In the Indian world, things come to us not because we deserve more, but because we are deemed to be capable of helping others more.” says Laura Waterman Wittstock, Chair of the Seventh Generation Endowment Committee.  “Tiwahe has received a great opportunity to do more in the form of an endowment challenge. It's our turn to meet the challenge because we deeply believe in who we are as Indian people.”

The Seventh Generation Endowment Campaign will secure and double the grant-making of our American Indian Family Empowerment Program (AIFEP) Fund, ensure operating support, leadership development programming and organizational development and capacity building.  Tiwahe’s AIFEP fund has a solid track record of grant-making success with nearly 600 grants totaling more than $1 million have been awarded to individuals and families. 

The Foundation envisions itself as a culturally knowledgeable philanthropic leader serving as a national model for Native philanthropy and self-determination.  With the support of the community we will increase philanthropic resources, leadership and capacity for American Indians in Minnesota. 

“As the first independent American Indian community foundation in Minnesota, the Tiwahe Foundation plays a key role in addressing issues which are of particular importance to the American Indian community,” says Carleen Rhodes, president and CEO of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. “The Saint Paul Foundation and F. R. Bigelow Foundation are privileged to support the Tiwahe Foundation’s Seventh Generation Endowment Campaign to build permanent charitable capital.”

The Tiwahe Foundation is a resource for giving and strengthens American Indian communities by building capacity through leadership, culture, values and vision. The Tiwahe Foundation is a new independent, American Indian community foundation providing permanency for its successful 16 year American Indian Family Empowerment Program Fund (AIFEP) and leadership development initiatives.  Tiwahe, a Dakota word for family guides the work of the Foundation.  “Ti” means dwelling, “wa” means snow, sacred or purity, and “he” means stands.  Tiwahe is a sacred dwelling and represents the value of family.  For more information, visit http://www.tiwahefoundation.org