The Decolonizing Wealth Project has announced the first cohort of grantees from the Indigenous Earth Fund (IEF).

An initiative of the organization’s Liberated Capital fund, IEF will redistribute more than $1 million in grants to 16 Indigenous-led organizations across the country to bolster their climate change and conservation campaigns. The initiative is expected to be an annual grantmaking program and will help convene Indigenous-led organizations and inter-tribal organizations and networks to elevate and discuss strategies and best practices that address the current climate crisis. 

Liberated Capital raises funds to provide untethered resources that enable Indigenous-led organizations and leaders to continue their work. Historically, Indigenous-led organizations have received a small percentage of philanthropic climate funding and are largely excluded from regional and national discussions on both climate change and conservation, despite having ancient and traditional solutions proven to protect the environment.  

“We are honored to invest in Indigenous-led organizations that are leading the fight against climate change.” said Edgar Villanueva, founder and principal of Decolonizing Wealth Project. “Indigenous communities are guided by thousands of years of conservation techniques and solutions, arming them with the knowledge and the power to reverse climate destruction. It’s past time that philanthropy prioritize its support toward Indigenous communities so they can continue leading us toward a more sustainable future.”

For a complete list of recipients, see the Decolonizing Wealth Project website.

(Image credit: Getty Images)