Resources For Native American Women Business Owners

According to research conducted by American Express, a small but powerful hub of entrepreneurship in America, Native American women have started at least 22 new businesses a day since 2007, racking up revenue and sparking innovation throughout different regional communities. A particularly powerful group, Native women-owned firms amass 10.5 billion dollars in revenues and employ almost 60,000 workers in the United States. Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander women-owned firms employ 13,500 workers and generate $2.3 billion in revenues. Among women of color, Native communities were some of the top earners in the entrepreneurial community, second only to Asian women in their average annual revenues. Here are some funding for native american women resources to help women in these ground-breaking communities grow even more powerful every day.

Funding for Native American Women

Unsure where to begin your search for funding for native american women? Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Below you’ll find some funding options catering to for Native American or minority businesses. For more funding options, please see our “ALL WOMEN” section.

Accion

Provides small business loans and support for underrepresented small business owners, including minority women. http://us.accion.org/

American Indian College Fund (AICF)

A national nonprofit that offers scholarships for American Indians interested in pursuing higher education. http://www.collegefund.org/

Aspen Capital Fund

This fund offers not only funds, but also options on how to grow your business in all ways properly and financially stable. Specializes in minority-owned businesses.  http://aspencapitalfund.com/

First Nations Oweesta Corporation

Owesta offers start up capital for qualifying entrepreneurs and offers training and technical assistance. http://www.oweesta.org/

Indian Loan Guarantee Program

This funding for native american women program is designed to assist Native Americans seeking small business loans. http://on.doi.gov/23M0Dgo

Minority Business Development Agency

This site is one stop shopping for training, grants, and loans for all minorities, including Native American groups. http://www.mbda.gov/

Native American Financial Officers Association (NAFOA)

The NAFOA offers a number of scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate and MBA students pursuing degrees in business, accounting, law and other qualifying areas. They also offer leadership development and a number of business internship opportunities. http://nafoa.org/

Resources For Training

There are a number of business development and training programs for Native American women in the United States. These programs help aspiring and current entrepreneurs gain valuable skills to excel in your business with a focus on the unique needs of Native American entrepreneurs. Below are several leads to help you get started.

ONABEN “Indianeurship” Program

This program offers unique courses that address the specific challenges and needs of the Native American, Alaska native, and Native Hawaiian entrepreneur. http://www.onaben.org/indianpreneurship/

Business Development Growth for Native American Businesses by the SBA

The small business administration offers online self-paced training that provides a customized approach to business growth for Native American Businesses. Click Here 

Entrepreneurial Empowerment Workshop

RedWind has partnered with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer workshops that provide business training, workshops and technical training for Native American small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurship. http://www.nativesmallbusiness.org/

Native American Business Primer

This online, self-paced training program gives aspiring or new Native American entrepreneurs a comprehensive look at starting a business, including access to grants and loans for women. https://www.sba.gov/media/training/NABPrimer/player.html

Native American Capital (NAC)

A training and development program that also offers assistance to Indian American small business owners in need of capital. They offer a number of programs to help develop a business including project management, business plan assistance, mentoring and more. http://www.nativeamericancapital.com/

Native American Entrepreneurial Empowerment Workshops

These ongoing workshops explore basic concepts for starting and maintaining a business for Native American entrepreneurs. http://www.nativesmallbusiness.org/

Native American PTAC

This organization provides training and development to Native American business owners doing business with the federal, local, or Native-American government within Arkansas, Indiana, Oregon, and Washington. http://bit.ly/1qvIzbZ

SBA Office of Native Americans

The Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development offers training, business development and other assistance to American-Indian entrepreneurs. https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/naa

U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Affairs Division of Economic Development This government office provides training, business planning, and mentoring from experts for tribes. www.indianaffairs.gov/IEED

Resources For Networking

When women get together and pool resources, our businesses grow, so get out there and start networking now!

American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA)

An association of Indian tribes and tribal businesses dedicated to the advancement of Indian Country Tourism. This organization is made up of many tribes from the Eastern, Plains, Midwest, Southwest, Pacific and Alaska regions. http://www.aianta.org/

American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL)

A nonprofit organization committed to developing American Indians and Alaska Natives in business and entrepreneurship. They offer a number of networking, leadership development and educational opportunities. http://www.aibl.org/

American Indian Science Engineering Society (AISES)

This society works hard bring awareness to and increase opportunities for American Indian, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and other indigenous peoples living in North America. The organization maintains a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and careers. http://www.aises.org/

Native American Women’s Association (NAWA)

NAWA encourages women of color to assume leadership roles on campus and become actively involved in the community. A great start for a new generation of entrepreneurs! http://bit.ly/1PMjK08

National American Contractors Association (NACA)

An advocacy organization focused on empowering and creating opportunities for businesses owned by individual Native American tribes, Alaska Native Corporations and Native Hawaiian Organizations competing for federal contracting opportunities.  http://nativecontractors.org/

Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)

This membership-based organization promotes the inclusion of Native American journalist in mainstream media. Members gain access to an extensive network of media professionals television, print and digital professionals throughout the United States and Canada and a number of other perks. http://www.naja.com/

National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED)

If you’re a Native American who needs help building or growing your business, the NCAIED is your resource! They provide support and advocate on behalf of tribal and individual Native American-owned businesses and help establish relationships between American Indian businesses and the United States private sector. http://ncaied.org/

National Congress of American Indians

With a specific understanding of Native American women’s interest, this group of advocates focus specifically on issues that impact tribal communities, and provide support and regular gatherings. http://bit.ly/1Y5mYBY

National Native American Law Enforcement Association (NNALEA)

A membership-based supportive network for Native American law enforcement officers, agents and personnel, including their tribes.
https://www.nnalea.org/

Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations

A support and empowerment group for Native American women, they host a yearly conference. http://www.wewin04.org/