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Nia Tero Foundation

Annual Giving
$23.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $2.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $23.9 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation/relationship-based funding)
  • Decision Time: Not specified (relationship-based process)
  • Grant Range: Under $5,000 - $2,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Global - Amazonia, Pasifika, North American Boreal Forest

Contact Details

Address: 900 E. Pine St. Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98122

Phone: +1 206-339-1290

Email: info@niatero.org

Website: www.niatero.org

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Vimeo

Overview

Founded in 2017 by conservation leader Peter Seligmann, Nia Tero (meaning "our Earth" in Esperanto) has rapidly emerged as a leading funder supporting Indigenous-led environmental guardianship globally. The foundation has distributed over $101 million to 274 Indigenous Peoples across more than 130 million hectares of biodiverse ecosystems that sequester 24.4 gigatons of carbon. With a Four-Star rating (97%) from Charity Navigator, Nia Tero dedicates over 85% of its yearly budget to grantmaking and programs. In January 2025, 'Aulani Wilhelm, a native Hawaiian, became the organization's first Indigenous CEO, marking a significant milestone in its evolution. The foundation operates on a partnership-based model, providing long-term, flexible funding directly to Indigenous organizations (98% of grants) along with technical assistance, capacity building, and global networking opportunities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Core Grantmaking: Flexible, long-term grants ranging from under $5,000 to over $2 million supporting Indigenous territorial protection, governance strengthening, cultural vitality, and self-determined development. In 2023, Nia Tero distributed $23.9 million through 113 awards to 128 organizations supporting 271 Indigenous Peoples.

Fellowship Programs (with open applications):

  • Storytelling Fellowship: Yearlong program for seasoned Indigenous storytelling creatives across multiple mediums with financial support, mentorship, and networking
  • Pacific Northwest Art Fellowship: $10,000 USD stipend plus virtual and in-person gatherings in Seattle
  • Pasifik Journalism Fellowship: Supports Indigenous-led news reporting in Pacific Islands
  • Leadership Fellows Program: Established in 2018 to strengthen emergent leaders from Indigenous territories
  • NATIVe Stand Fellows Program: Exclusive opportunity for Indigenous feature film producers/directors

Priority Areas

Geographic Regions:

  • Amazonia: Goal to strengthen guardianship of 60 million hectares across northern Brazil, south Suriname, western Guyana, eastern Colombia, and Ecuador-Peru border region
  • Pasifika: Launched in 2020 to strengthen Indigenous guardianship of Islands and Ocean, support Maori co-management, and elevate Pasifika identity in policy
  • North American Boreal Forest: Supporting First Nations in Canadian boreal forests through initiatives like the Indigenous Leadership Initiative

Thematic Support:

  • Territorial rights and land demarcation
  • Self-governance and organizational capacity building
  • Cultural vitality and language preservation
  • Territorial defense and rapid response mechanisms
  • Legal representation and policy work
  • Sustainable financing and enterprise development
  • Climate action and biodiversity protection
  • Training, networking, and storytelling opportunities

What They Don't Fund

Nia Tero does not publish explicit exclusion criteria. However, based on their partnership approach:

  • Organizations without connection to Indigenous communities
  • Projects not aligned with Indigenous self-determination
  • Non-environmental conservation work unrelated to territorial guardianship
  • Organizations that do not support Indigenous peoples' quest for rights and self-governance
  • Projects that compete with Indigenous organizations for resources

Governance and Leadership

Current Executive Leadership

'Aulani Wilhelm, CEO (January 2025): Native Hawaiian with extensive ocean conservation experience, previously served as Chief Strategy & External Relations Officer and worked with White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. On her vision: "I come from that long-view perspective, that big dream of making Indigenous guardianship everywhere possible... Indigenous guardianship isn't something we have to create. It is already there."

Chris Filardi, Chief Research Officer: Research scientist with 30+ years working with Indigenous Peoples, focusing on Indigenous-led biodiversity science

Margarita Mora, Chief Program Officer: Over 20 years building partnerships with Indigenous communities, expertise in equitable grantmaking

Kāwika Riley, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer: Native Hawaiian with Ph.D. in Political Science, focus on Indigenous well-being

Lauren Guzauskas, Chief Development Officer: 20 years nonprofit experience in equity and empowerment

Jessica Schroeder, Chief Administrative Officer: 15+ years nonprofit leadership in finance and operations

Board of Directors

The Board is majority Indigenous and includes globally recognized Indigenous leaders:

  • Anne Marie Burgoyne: Managing Director of Philanthropy, Emerson Collective
  • Michael Crow: President of Arizona State University
  • Jupta Itoewaki: Indigenous rights activist from Suriname, CEO of Mulokot Foundation
  • Myrna Cunningham Kain: Miskita feminist and Indigenous rights activist from Nicaragua, first Miskito doctor, former UN Permanent Forum Chair
  • Yo-Yo Ma: World-renowned cellist focused on culture generating trust
  • Nemonte Nenquimo: Indigenous Waorani leader from Ecuador, co-founder of Ceibo Alliance
  • Brenda Toineeta Pipestem: Cherokee attorney, tribal justice system expert
  • Roger Sant: Co-founder of AES Corporation, philanthropist
  • Peter Seligmann: Founder of Conservation International and Nia Tero
  • Fawn Sharp: Former President of National Congress of American Indians, Quinault leader
  • Kevin Starr: Director of Mulago Foundation
  • Vicky Tauli-Corpuz: UN Expert on Human Rights, Indigenous advocate from Philippines
  • Joseph Williams: New Zealand Supreme Court Justice, expert in Māori legal issues

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Core Grantmaking: Nia Tero does NOT have a public application process for core grantmaking. Grants are awarded through a "self-initiated process" based on established, trust-based partnerships with Indigenous communities. According to their approach: "We look for Indigenous partners who trust us and whom we trust. We develop a partnership relationship, establish common objectives and provide support for what they request."

Fellowship Programs: Several fellowship programs accept open applications through calls for applications. Visit niatero.org/fellowships for current opportunities.

Getting on Their Radar

Nia Tero identifies partners through:

  • Established Indigenous networks: They work with recognized Indigenous organizations and networks in their priority regions (Amazonia, Pasifika, North American Boreal)
  • Founding partner referrals: Board members who are Indigenous leaders help identify communities
  • Regional program teams: Deep local knowledge guides partnership development
  • Long-term relationship building: CEO 'Aulani Wilhelm emphasizes "Our ability to build trusted relationships with communities is probably our key currency"
  • Co-developed partnerships: They seek "true co-engagement" and assess five key elements: sovereignty, governance, protection, cultural vitality, and financial resourcing

For Indigenous organizations interested in partnership: Contact info@niatero.org or +1 206-339-1290 to initiate dialogue. Be prepared to demonstrate strong governance systems and alignment with territorial guardianship goals.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. Decisions are made through ongoing relationship development rather than fixed grant cycles. Nia Tero has been funding many Indigenous partners annually since shortly after 2017 and commits to multi-year partnerships.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation/relationship-based model rather than competitive application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given relationship-based funding model. Nia Tero provides continuous, long-term funding to established partners rather than one-time grants.

Application Success Factors

Partnership Criteria (from leadership insights)

What Nia Tero looks for in partners:

  1. Strong governance systems: Communities with established decision-making structures
  2. Collective territorial management: Indigenous Peoples who share collective territory
  3. Self-determination focus: Organizations pursuing rights, sovereignty, and self-governance
  4. Trust and alignment: Mutual trust and shared objectives
  5. Five key elements assessment: Sovereignty, governance, protection, cultural vitality, and financial resourcing

Funding Philosophy quotes from leadership:

  • 'Aulani Wilhelm: "Our ability to build trusted relationships with communities is probably our key currency... We seek to be a bridging organization, not an Indigenous organization... allies and supporters rather than speaking on behalf of communities."

  • Peter Seligmann: "Most of our resources go either to Indigenous organizations or to the allies that Indigenous organizations select... Our intention is not to compete with Indigenous organizations for scarce funds. Our work is to increase the availability of funds... One hundred percent of additional funds donated to Nia Tero go directly to our Indigenous partners."

Operational Principles:

  • Embrace Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
  • Provide flexible resources "guided by the community receiving those resources"
  • Resist "heroically swooping into these communities with our capes"
  • Focus on "intergenerational time scales" and long-term commitment
  • Prioritize abundance mindset over competition

Recent Success Examples

Brazilian Amazon Land Demarcation (2025): Supported final demarcation of Kaxuyana-Tunayana Indigenous land (2.1 million hectares) plus three other territories (Uirapuru, Manoki, Estação Parecis) totaling 2.4 million hectares after 20+ years of Indigenous-led struggle

Pacific Islands Ocean Guardianship: In Cook Islands, supported Tāua e Moana voyage - 50-day journey enabling ocean health awareness and knowledge-sharing, strengthening Marae Moana marine protected area through youth reconnection with Maori values

Vale do Javarí, Brazil: Supporting Indigenous-led NGO protecting rights and security of isolated peoples through Indigenous lawyers and rapid response mechanisms

Canadian Boreal Forests: Supporting Indigenous Leadership Initiative, a First Nations initiative dedicated to strengthening Indigenous nationhood

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Relationship-first approach: Core grantmaking happens through established partnerships, not open applications - focus on building long-term relationships through regional Indigenous networks
  • Indigenous leadership essential: With 98% of grants to Indigenous organizations and majority Indigenous board/leadership, authentic Indigenous governance is paramount
  • Think long-term: Nia Tero commits to multi-year partnerships and "intergenerational time scales" rather than project-based funding
  • Geographic alignment matters: Currently prioritizing Amazonia, Pasifika, and North American Boreal - organizations outside these regions may have limited opportunities
  • Co-engagement philosophy: They seek "true co-engagement" where communities guide the partnership - demonstrate strong self-determination and governance capacity
  • Fellowship opportunities: While core grants are invitation-only, fellowship programs offer accessible entry points for Indigenous creatives, journalists, and leaders
  • Scale flexibility: Grants range from under $5,000 to over $2 million - they support both grassroots initiatives and large-scale territorial protection efforts
  • Abundance over competition: Leadership emphasizes they aim to "increase the availability of funds" rather than compete with Indigenous organizations

References

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