Current Updates
The Arctic Indigenous Fund is currently focusing our team to restructure the process of grant making in the North to better support our Governance and grant process.
Due to this maintenance period, we will not be taking unsolicited proposals as the moment.
We appreciate your understanding during our reflection and rest to be better grant makers for our Indigenous Communities throughout the circumpolar North.
The Arctic Indigenous Fund (AIF) is an Indigenous-led initiative launched in 2018 to empower young Indigenous leaders in the Arctic by enabling them to decide how philanthropic funding is distributed across Northern communities. It was developed in collaboration with the Arctic Funders Collaborative and aims to support Indigenous self-determination, cultural preservation, and community-led development across the circumpolar Arctic. Guided by advisors from Inuit, Dene, and Sámi communities, AIF focuses on uplifting local knowledge, traditions, and resilience-building efforts across the regions it serves.
AIF allocates funds based on specific themes each year, like “Healing through Language” and “Indigenous Youth,” to address issues relevant to community priorities. By centering Indigenous values and perspectives, AIF seeks to reshape philanthropy in a way that respects Indigenous lifeways and fosters long-term impact on the Arctic’s social, cultural, and environmental health.
What Indigenous Philanthropy means to us?
"Empowering and strengthening Indigenous communities by providing creative opportunities and experiences that promote culture, language and overall wellness."
-Shayla Snowshoe, Canada Advisor
"Using Todays economy to support Indigenous futures."
-Chandre Szafran, Alaska Advisor
"Strong, healthy and creative Indigenous communities."
-Christina Henriksen, Sápmi Advisor
"Supportive, Indigenous health and wellbeing."
-Jana Angulalik, Canada Advisor
"Luohttit min servodagaid máhtu ja dáhtu"
"Trust in the knowledge and will of our communities."
-Marion Aslaksen Ravna, Sápmi Advisor
"Taking care of others in a way that is respectful and with dignity is important today, just as it has been in my family and in other families. Supporting ones self-sufficiency is important, while also recognizing that the ongoing legacies of oppression and inequality are very real for Indigenous peoples and others. We need to look at ways of healing and restoring balance. Perhaps having a little extra money to do good work yourself, in your own community is one way to support that."
-Dewey Kk'ołeyo Hoffman, Alaska Advisor
"Ajunngitsumik siunertalimmik aningaasaliineq"
"Giving funding to something with a good purpose"
-Tukumminnguaq Nykjaer Olsen, Greenland Advisor