Building What Doesn’t Yet Exist:

PAST PODS

Why We Created a National Network of Indigenous Fundraisers

We didn’t start with a strategy.

We started with a pattern we couldn’t ignore.

Across different communities, organizations, and conversations, we kept seeing the same thing: Indigenous-led work was growing, funders were paying attention, and the need for resources was clear.

But the people doing the work of connecting those pieces, the fundraisers, were often doing it alone.

No shared space.
No national network.
No place designed specifically for Indigenous fundraising professionals to learn from each other, support one another, and lead together.

And over time, we realized something important:

This wasn’t just a gap. It was a missing piece of the ecosystem.

WHY A NETWORK IS NEEDED NOW

Fundraising is often described as a technical skill.

But in Indigenous communities, it is more than that.

It is relational.
It is cultural.
It is rooted in trust, reciprocity, and long-term responsibility to the community.

And yet, most fundraising spaces don’t reflect that.

Indigenous fundraisers are often navigating:

• Systems that weren’t built with them in mind

• Expectations that don’t align with community values

• Limited access to peers who understand the cultural context of their work

While there are strong organizations advancing Indigenous philanthropy, there has not been a dedicated national network centered on Indigenous fundraising professionals themselves

That absence has real consequences.

Because when fundraisers are isolated, knowledge stays siloed.
Opportunities are harder to access.
And the broader system remains unchanged.

WHAT WE ARE BUILDING

The Philanthropono Network of Indigenous Professional Fundraisers was created to respond to that gap.

At its core, the network exists to:

• Connect Indigenous fundraisers across communities and regions

• Support professional growth through culturally grounded learning

• Elevate Indigenous leadership within philanthropy

• Strengthen Indigenous-led organizations through shared knowledge and resources

But more than that, we are building a trusted space.

A space grounded in:

• Relationship and reciprocity

• Cultural integrity

• Shared learning and mutual support

As outlined in our Founding Charter, this network is about more than connection, it is about collective advancement of Indigenous-led philanthropy.

HOW WE ARE BUILDING IT

We are building this network the same way we approach fundraising itself, with intention, relationship, and accountability.

We started with people, not platforms

Before launching anything publicly, we brought together a Founding Circle of Indigenous fundraising professionals to help shape the vision.

Our founding members include:

• Saundra Mitrovich (Consultant)

• Kuulei Maunupau (Native Hawaiian Philanthropy)

• Erin Auerbach (Teach for America)

Each brings a different perspective, experience, and community connection.

Together, they are helping ensure that this network is not just created, but co-created.

WE ARE DESIGNING FOR RELATIONSHIPS, NOT TRANSACTIONS

This is not a network you join just to receive updates.

It is a space to:

• Build relationships with peers who understand your work

• Share challenges and strategies openly

• Learn through conversation, not just content

We are centering practices like:

• Talk story gatherings

• Peer mentorship

• Collaborative learning

Because real networks are built on trust—not just access.

WE ARE GROUNDING EVERYTHING IN PRACTICE

This network is not just about connection—it is about strengthening the work.

Members will have access to:

• Professional development and training

• Fundraising tools and resources

• Opportunities for collaboration and shared projects

But all of it is grounded in a core belief:

Fundraising should reflect the values of the communities it serves.

WE ARE GROWING WITH INTENTION

We are not trying to build the largest network.

We are trying to build the right one.

That means:

• Starting with a strong, engaged core community

• Listening and adapting as we grow

• Ensuring that the network reflects Indigenous values at every stage

Because growth without alignment doesn’t serve anyone.

WHY THIS MATTER FOR THE FUTURE OF PHILANTHROPY

There is increasing recognition of Indigenous leadership across philanthropy.

But recognition alone does not shift systems.

For that, we need:

• Indigenous professionals who are connected and supported

• Spaces where knowledge and strategy can be shared

• Collective voice to influence how resources flow

This network is one step toward that future.

A future where Indigenous fundraisers are not working at the margins—but are central to how philanthropy evolves.

OUR PUBLIC LAUNCH

We are proud to have publicly launched the Philanthropono Network of Indigenous Professional Fundraisers, April 14–16, at the Native Americans in Philanthropy Conference.  

This launch is not just about visibility.

It is about gathering.

About bringing people into a shared space for the first time.

And about signaling that this work, and this community, exists.

WHAT WE CARRY FORWARD

As we build this network, we carry a simple but powerful belief:

When Indigenous fundraisers are connected, supported, and leading,
the entire ecosystem becomes stronger.

Because fundraising is not just about securing resources.

It is about aligning those resources with community, culture, and long-term impact.

FINAL REFLECTION

We started with a gap.

But what we are building is something much more than a solution.

It is a community.

And as we move forward, we continue to ask: What becomes possible when we no longer do this work alone?

We are building the answer—together. You Don’t Have to Do This Work Alone

For too long, Indigenous fundraisers have been asked to navigate this work without a shared space—without a network built for us, by us. We are changing that.

The Philanthropono Network of Indigenous Professional Fundraisers was created so we can:

• Learn from one another

• Build relationships rooted in trust and reciprocity

• Strengthen our practice together

And the Philanthropono Course is where that journey begins, equipping you with the skills, tools, and cultural grounding to engage in fundraising in a way that reflects your community and your values.

Be part of a growing national community.

Build your fundraising practice with intention.

We’d love to connect and welcome you in. Because what becomes possible when we stop doing this work alone. We are building that answer, together.

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