Native Children and Youth Funding: What We Do- Children's Funding Project

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Conduct fiscal mapping to track and understand public funding across systems (education, early childhood, health, behavioral health, juvenile justice, etc.) and levels of government (federal, state, Tribal)
Perform cost analyses and cost modeling to quantify what Native children need and what it will take to fund those needs sustainably.
Identify gaps, opportunities, and unnecessary complexity in existing public funding streams.
Develop data-informed investment strategies grounded in Tribal priorities and cultural strengths.

Mobilize Tribal influence through ballot initiatives, legislative advocacy, and participatory budgeting to shape funding policies and priorities.
Thought partnership on implementing blended and braided funding models by coordinating federal, state, local, and Tribal resources to maximize impact.
Support Tribal efforts using strategic public financing tools to engage and adapt philanthropic and private capital in ways that close public funding gaps and sustain long-term, community-designed solutions for Native children and youth.

Coordinate and Align Funding Across Systems:
Facilitate peer exchange to align federal, state, local, and Tribal funding streams across sectors like education, health, and child welfare.
Act as Trusted Liaisons:
Share strategies for effectively connecting Tribal leadership with public agencies to advocate for increased Native funding priorities.
Translate Vision into Investment:
Share tools and case studies to help turn community-driven goals into actionable, fundable investment plans.
Foster Peer Learning and Coaching:
Act as a shared resource space for tools, policy updates, and Native-led funding strategies that others can learn from and adapt.
Elevate What Works:
Surface and share best practices from across Indian Country on coordinating funding, using fiscal mapping, and building sustainable funding infrastructures for Native children.

Create toolkits for fiscal mapping, cost analyses, and sourcing additional funding.
Develop case studies highlighting successful Tribal funding strategies.
Tailor training and workshops for Tribal audiences.
Bring together cross-sector allies and build coalitions.