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Organization

Potlatch Fund

Not yet reviewed by this nation. What follows comes from public records and research. It does not speak for the nation.

Potlatch Fund, a Seattle nonprofit founded in 2002 by Northwest tribal leaders, gives small grants to Native communities; it does not buy land.

Kind
501(c)(3) Native-led intermediary / regranter
Native-led
yes-self-described
Works with
Native nations and Alaska Native Tribal communities of AK, ID, MT, OR, WA
Region
Pacific Northwest; AK, ID, MT, OR, WA
Focus
Native philanthropy and grantmaking to Native individuals and Native-led organizations; indirect support for land and cultural work
Registry
EIN 73-1712905 (ProPublica: Potlatch Fund, Seattle WA; same EIN printed on potlatchfund.org about page)

What happened

Potlatch Fund describes itself as a Native-led intermediary that supports Native individuals, Native-led organizations, over 50 Native nations and over 225 Alaska Native Tribal communities. Its history page says it began as a tribally driven organization founded in December 2002 by Northwest tribal leaders to expand philanthropy in Northwest Indian Country.

It is a grantmaker, not a land trust. Its programs page lists two grant programs. Seasonal grants of up to $2,500 support Native seasonal activities. The Power of Ceremony and Healing Grant supports larger ceremonial, cultural and community practices. Its Our Impact page says it has given more than $11 million in gifts since 2002, about 200 gifts a year, with more than $500,000 in grants each year. These are Potlatch Fund's own figures.

The About page names its board, with tribal affiliations given. It lists Jordann Lankford (A'aniiih and Anishinaabe) as President, Meredith Parker (Makah) as Vice President, and tai simpson (Nimiipuu) as Secretary.

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer lists Potlatch Fund of Seattle as a 501(c)(3) with tax exemption issued in October 2004. A donor should know that a gift supports a grantmaking program for Native communities generally. Potlatch Fund describes no land acquisition or return of its own.

Good to know. A grantmaker supporting Native communities generally; it does not buy or return land.

Summarized with AI assistance from 5 sources and checked against their words; not yet reviewed by historians or by the nations. Report an error

What the sources say, and how this was checked

Well supported by the sources below.

  1. Potlatch Fund is a Native-led intermediary that supports Native individuals, Native-led and serving organizationsAbout - Potlatch Fund
  2. Potlatch Fund began as a tribally driven organization founded in December 2002 by Northwest tribal leaders to expand philanthropy in Northwest Indian Country.Our History - Potlatch Fund
  3. these opportunities prioritize support for Native seasonal activities through low-barrier grants of up to $2,500.Programs - Potlatch Fund
  4. $11 million+ in gifts givenOur Impact - Potlatch Fund
  5. Seattle, WA Tax exemption issued: Oct. 2004 EIN: 73-1712905ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Potlatch Fund

Research notes. Land is not part of its program as described on the pages read. Figures on gifts are its own. The donate link goes to a Network for Good page; the payee at checkout was not verified.

Visit the organization’s website or give directly on its own page. This site takes no money.

Connections

These links were matched automatically by name or date and have not yet been reviewed by a person.

Works in 5

Sources

No source is linked to this record yet. That is a gap we are working to close.

The record’s fields
Vetting notes
2026-10-17: ProPublica hit matches name and city; EIN shown on own site. About page calls itself Native-led and lists named Native board members with tribal affiliations (e.g. Nimiipuu). Donate link is on own site and goes to Network for Good page; payee at checkout not verified. Regranter, not a land buyer; a gift is general support. Source: https://www.potlatchfund.org/about-us ("Potlatch Fund is a Native-led intermediary that supports Native individuals, Native-led and serving organizations")
Kind
Organization
Confidence
High
Nation review
Not yet reviewed by this nation

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