IFIP is distinguished among philanthropic groups by its conscious inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in its activities alongside funders and other supportive groups. This approach engenders the kind of change that enables self-determined development in Indigenous Philanthropy.
Taking an approach to improve funding for issues of importance to Indigenous Peoples, IFIP supports its members to expand the network as a community of practice to a wider set of funders. In turn, the network acts as a bridge, connecting IFIP members with key players across the network and in the wider world. And it brings about change by assisting funders to improve the quality of funding for the self-determined development of Indigenous Peoples.
Self-determined development is the ability of Indigenous communities to preserve, evolve and transform social, political, economic and cultural systems in line with their priorities.
Our reputation as a catalyst for new Indigenous philanthropy has steadily grown over the years. Donors credit IFIP for their decisions to fund Indigenous communities; here are a few examples:
– At the IFIP conference in San Francisco, Tracy Austin, Executive Director of the Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas recounted how her first IFIP meeting inspired her to develop an Indigenous fund and to bring their concerns about company country operations to directors.
– The Swift Foundation reported that they have given $2 million to Indigenous peoples that they met at IFIP conferences within a two year period.
– Brian Keane of Land is Life attributed our conference for his ability to raise over $200 thousand to start an Indigenous women’s fund in Latin America.
– In 2010, IFIP was key to the organization of a meeting between funders and Alaskan Natives that resulted in the creation of an Alaskan Indigenous Fund dedicated to build the core support of Indigenous organizations in Alaska.