'Bring us your dreams.' This Native-led fund aims to 'decolonize philanthropy' in the Northwest

Many levels of government, private foundations and charities are handing out economic recovery grants these days. A Native-led nonprofit serving the Pacific Northwest is carving out a niche by offering grants specifically to help Indigenous communities and artists rebound from the uneven effects of the pandemic.

On Monday, the Seattle-based Potlatch Fund began accepting applications for its newly-created Resiliency Fund. Potlatch Executive Director Cleora Hill-Scott said the fund has $1 million to distribute this year across Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. There could be many grant recipients among tribal governments, nonprofits and individual Native artists and performing groups, because awards are set at $10,000 or $15,000.

"For now, it is about helping as many people as possible, as quickly as possible," Hill-Scott said in an interview. "Bring us your ideas. Bring us your dreams. We're here to fund what you know will help best."