Native American Rights Fund

"We ask for nothing more, and will accept nothing less than the U.S. government keeping the promises made to Native Americans." -John Echohawk

aka NARF | Boulder, CO | https://narf.org

GuideStar Charity Check

EIN: 84-0611876

Contributions tax deductible
as of September 2024

IRS BMF 509(a)(1)
as of September 09, 2024

View summary

Charity Check report

Mission

NARF's objectives are to protect the rights of and seek justice for tribes and Native peoples. In the words of Executive Director John Echohawk, "We ask for nothing more, and will accept nothing less than the U.S. Government keeping the promises it has made to Native Americans." NARF currently represents more than 60 tribes in 20 states on a wide range of critical matters, including land into trust, federal recognition, subsistence hunting & fishing, federal trust responsibilities, protection of sacred places, voting rights, sovereign immunity, Indian Child Welfare, water rights and environmental issues.

Notes from the nonprofit

NARF is also affiliated with: Native American Voting Rights Coalition Colorado Nonprofit Association Native Americans in Philanthropy Boarding School Healing Coalition Tribal Supreme Court Project with NCAI Tribal Education Departments National Assembly

Ruling year info

1971

Executive Director

Mr. John E Echohawk

Deputy Direcotry

Matthew Campbell

Main address

1506 Broadway

Boulder, CO 80302 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

84-0611876

Subject area info

Public interest law

Ethnic and racial minority rights

Cultural awareness

Antidiscrimination

Arts and culture

Population served info

American Indians

Indigenous peoples

Adults

NTEE code info

Civil Rights, Advocacy for Specific Groups (R20)

Cultural, Ethnic Awareness (A23)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Tax forms

Show Forms 990

Communication

Blog

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

For many years, tribal communities across the United States struggled. The treaties, signed by ancestors and the early United States government were continually being ignored. Federal, state and local governments drafted laws and policies about our nations without our consent or knowledge. Our children were being taken from our communities and our natural resources were continually pillaged in the name of western progress. Then in 1970, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) changed everything. As the nation’s oldest and largest high impact legal defense fund for Indian Country, NARF takes on issues and cases of national importance to America’s first citizens, Native Americans. Our five priority mission has allowed NARF to protect, defend and advance Indian Rights over the last 50 years in a way that had never been done.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

National Indian Law Library

National repository of, and clearinghouse for, materials in Indian law. Collects and distributes catalogues and other materials used for legal and educational purposes. Provides reference and research assistance.

Population(s) Served

Indigenous peoples

Adults

Litigation and Client Services

Provides legal representation, assistance and education to Native American People

Population(s) Served

Indigenous peoples

Where we work

Awards

21st Edition of Best Lawyers in America 2014

NARF Senior Attorney Melody McCoy

21st Edition of Best Lawyers in America 2014

NARF Executive Director John E. Echohawk

Honorary Order of the Coif 2016

NARF Senior Attorney Steven C. Moore

Edward E. Cremer III Environmental Law Award 2016

NARF Attorney Wesly James Furlong

Affiliations & memberships

Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance 2021

Photos

Videos

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

- Protect the sovereignty, natural resources, language and traditions of Native Americans.
- Enforce the treaty, constitutional and statutory rights of Native Americans.
- Educate the public, elected officials and regulatory agencies on the rights of Native peoples.
- Federal recognition of all tribes
- Shelby fix
- Carcieri fix

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

- Produce publications, presentations and archives detailing the rights of Native Americans and the responsibilities of the government to protect and enforce those obligations.
- Inform governments and their agencies of rights violations.
- Initiate legal action if rights violations are not rectified voluntarily.

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

- Seventeen staff attorneys
- The worlds largest archive of tribal documents
- Three offices easily and readily accessible to tribes and Federal Government offices strategically situated.
- Funding of twenty five Indian Legal Services offices in Indian Country
- Formal and Informal cooperation with law schools, private law firms, expert witnesses, government agencies, consultants and other Native nonprofits.

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

Accomplished
- American Indian Religious Freedom Act
- Native American Voting Rights Coalition
- U.S. v. Washington
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
- Indian Child Welfare Act
- Menomonie Restoration
- Trust Reform
- Supreme Court Victories
- Supreme Court Project
- Alaska Voting Rights/Native language voting materials
- TEDNA securing of federal appropriations
- Klamath Basin Adjudication water volume victories
- Agua Caliente groundwater rights determination
- Shinnecock recognition (as well as a number of other tribes)
- Katie John v. United States

Yet to accomplish
- Federal recognition of all tribes
- "Shelby fix"
- "Carcieri fix'

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

We shared information about our current feedback practices.

How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

Financials

Native American Rights Fund

Fiscal year: Oct 01 - Sep 30

Financial documents

Yes, financials were audited by an independent accountant.

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

NET GAIN/LOSS: in

Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Liquidity in 2023

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

13.87

Average of 18.81 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2023

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

6.5

Average of 5.5 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2023

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

21%

Average of 21% over 10 years

Funding sources

Source: IRS Form 990

Assets & liabilities

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial data

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Native American Rights Fund

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Oct 01 - Sep 30

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Revenue
Contributions	$1,396,878
Government Grants	$1,074,800
Program Services	$2,488,811
Investments	($541,559)
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$17,483
Total Revenue	$4,436,413

Expenses
Program Services	$5,016,948
Administration	$779,843
Fundraising	$1,369,436
Total Expenses	$7,166,227
Net Gain/Loss	($2,729,814)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$17,868
Advertising & Promotion	$50,015
Information Technology Expenses	$57,637
Insurance Expenses	$10,754
Interest Expenses	$9,005
Investment Management Fees	$24,882
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$75,103
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$30,000

Revenue
Contributions	$2,559,350
Government Grants	$2,323,943
Program Services	$2,192,905
Investments	$132,795
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$33,712
Total Revenue	$7,242,705

Expenses
Program Services	$5,067,921
Administration	$770,152
Fundraising	$1,311,551
Total Expenses	$7,149,624
Net Gain/Loss	$93,081

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$22,000
Advertising & Promotion	$21,209
Information Technology Expenses	$58,925
Insurance Expenses	$14,978
Interest Expenses	$15,847
Investment Management Fees	$19,971
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$55,708
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$55,250

Revenue
Contributions	$2,323,228
Government Grants	$2,635,298
Program Services	$1,135,010
Investments	$123,596
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$22,403
Total Revenue	$6,239,535

Expenses
Program Services	$5,059,888
Administration	$726,690
Fundraising	$1,313,987
Total Expenses	$7,100,565
Net Gain/Loss	($861,030)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$22,500
Advertising & Promotion	$10,091
Information Technology Expenses	$72,791
Insurance Expenses	$15,827
Interest Expenses	$22,266
Investment Management Fees	$17,393
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$52,261
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$70,250

Revenue
Contributions	$2,485,540
Government Grants	$13,618,849
Program Services	$1,245,587
Investments	$1,245,171
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$25,802
Total Revenue	$18,620,949

Expenses
Program Services	$5,517,324
Administration	$731,647
Fundraising	$1,284,359
Total Expenses	$7,533,330
Net Gain/Loss	$11,087,619

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$27,350
Advertising & Promotion	$6,050
Information Technology Expenses	$75,352
Insurance Expenses	$15,096
Interest Expenses	$9,296
Investment Management Fees	$16,102
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$110,442
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$120,000

Revenue
Contributions	$3,982,687
Government Grants	$6,190,503
Program Services	$1,277,395
Investments	$341,345
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$16,141
Total Revenue	$11,808,071

Expenses
Program Services	$7,210,535
Administration	$871,821
Fundraising	$1,290,092
Total Expenses	$9,372,448
Net Gain/Loss	$2,435,623

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$28,150
Advertising & Promotion	$15,274
Information Technology Expenses	$124,939
Insurance Expenses	$17,191
Interest Expenses	$4,772
Investment Management Fees	$27,074
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$124,898
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$24,000

Revenue
Contributions	$1,860,276
Government Grants	$2,924,573
Program Services	$1,306,465
Investments	$559,688
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$28,666
Total Revenue	$6,679,668

Expenses
Program Services	$7,988,624
Administration	$860,765
Fundraising	$1,249,301
Total Expenses	$10,098,690
Net Gain/Loss	($3,419,022)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$26,000
Advertising & Promotion	$28,533
Information Technology Expenses	$103,997
Insurance Expenses	$23,211
Interest Expenses	$4,976
Investment Management Fees	$45,344
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$169,537
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$29,098

Revenue
Contributions	$4,311,847
Government Grants	$2,234,857
Program Services	$7,065,520
Investments	$1,412,766
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$16,222
Total Revenue	$15,041,212

Expenses
Program Services	$7,519,239
Administration	$789,122
Fundraising	$1,704,661
Total Expenses	$10,013,022
Net Gain/Loss	$5,028,190

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$26,000
Advertising & Promotion	$42,239
Information Technology Expenses	$157,147
Insurance Expenses	$23,417
Interest Expenses	$5,068
Investment Management Fees	$58,036
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$175,708
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$54,000

Revenue
Contributions	$5,181,750
Government Grants	$4,464,441
Program Services	$2,028,322
Investments	$401,255
Special Events	($78,634)
Sales	$0
Other	$58,233
Total Revenue	$12,055,367

Expenses
Program Services	$8,112,634
Administration	$861,057
Fundraising	$1,711,637
Total Expenses	$10,685,328
Net Gain/Loss	$1,370,039

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$26,775
Advertising & Promotion	$16,270
Information Technology Expenses	$115,673
Insurance Expenses	$28,388
Interest Expenses	$3,654
Investment Management Fees	$70,783
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$181,485
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$140,178

Revenue
Contributions	$3,038,849
Government Grants	$24,763,248
Program Services	$2,123,889
Investments	$782,957
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$55,646
Total Revenue	$30,764,589

Expenses
Program Services	$8,094,827
Administration	$902,350
Fundraising	$2,068,248
Total Expenses	$11,065,425
Net Gain/Loss	$19,699,164

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$27,580
Advertising & Promotion	$12,543
Information Technology Expenses	$61,436
Insurance Expenses	$32,352
Interest Expenses	$2,676
Investment Management Fees	$88,496
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$173,421
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$24,000

Revenue
Contributions	$8,174,361
Government Grants	$2,056,340
Program Services	$1,340,072
Investments	$1,655,717
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$38,859
Total Revenue	$13,265,349

Expenses
Program Services	$9,115,105
Administration	$1,036,746
Fundraising	$2,668,574
Total Expenses	$12,820,425
Net Gain/Loss	$444,924

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$28,400
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$106,445
Insurance Expenses	$36,400
Interest Expenses	$1,701
Investment Management Fees	$179,889
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$174,257
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$24,000

Revenue
Contributions	$7,904,883
Government Grants	$2,767,617
Program Services	$479,327
Investments	$1,872,257
Special Events	$0
Sales	$8,773
Other	$24,990
Total Revenue	$13,057,847

Expenses
Program Services	$8,611,280
Administration	$1,315,323
Fundraising	$2,812,050
Total Expenses	$12,738,653
Net Gain/Loss	$319,194

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$31,275
Advertising & Promotion	$445
Information Technology Expenses	$190,755
Insurance Expenses	$37,427
Interest Expenses	$4,033
Investment Management Fees	$242,829
Legal Fees	$2,330
Pension Plan Contributions	$202,022
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$30,000

Revenue
Contributions	$11,550,233
Government Grants	$1,350,800
Program Services	$583,904
Investments	$2,876,064
Special Events	$0
Sales	$3,527
Other	$30,179
Total Revenue	$16,394,707

Expenses
Program Services	$7,565,224
Administration	$1,310,214
Fundraising	$2,647,657
Total Expenses	$11,523,095
Net Gain/Loss	$4,871,612

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$33,590
Advertising & Promotion	$595
Information Technology Expenses	$182,898
Insurance Expenses	$40,792
Interest Expenses	$3,439
Investment Management Fees	$276,401
Legal Fees	$421,955
Pension Plan Contributions	$195,209
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$33,000

Revenue
Contributions	$14,765,407
Government Grants	$2,548,920
Program Services	$6,901,657
Investments	$6,224,301
Special Events	$0
Sales	$7,061
Other	$62,925
Total Revenue	$30,510,271

Expenses
Program Services	$9,413,030
Administration	$1,568,140
Fundraising	$2,957,912
Total Expenses	$13,939,082
Net Gain/Loss	$16,571,189

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$36,080
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$235,300
Insurance Expenses	$39,692
Interest Expenses	$62,177
Investment Management Fees	$312,276
Legal Fees	$1,718,834
Pension Plan Contributions	$202,849
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$33,000

Revenue
Contributions	$13,683,569
Government Grants	$1,139,350
Program Services	$960,813
Investments	$1,849,011
Special Events	($91,536)
Sales	$4,126
Other	$3,213
Total Revenue	$17,548,546

Expenses
Program Services	$9,579,975
Administration	$1,621,576
Fundraising	$3,376,072
Total Expenses	$14,577,623
Net Gain/Loss	$2,970,923

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$38,325
Advertising & Promotion	$553
Information Technology Expenses	$261,484
Insurance Expenses	$42,363
Interest Expenses	$1,455
Investment Management Fees	$313,994
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$227,073
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$36,000

Revenue
Contributions	$16,191,642
Government Grants	$1,747,850
Program Services	$757,583
Investments	$183,705
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$56,293
Total Revenue	$18,937,073

Expenses
Program Services	$13,220,211
Administration	$2,016,166
Fundraising	$3,503,763
Total Expenses	$18,740,140
Net Gain/Loss	$196,933

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$38,750
Advertising & Promotion	$445
Information Technology Expenses	$353,493
Insurance Expenses	$45,604
Interest Expenses	$589
Investment Management Fees	$315,193
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$325,056
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$36,000

Native American Rights Fund

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Oct 01 - Sep 30

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Assets	Oct 01, 2008	Sep 30, 2009	Change
Contributions	$1,396,878
Cash & Equivalents	$489,348	$489,295	($53)
Accounts Receivable	$1,124,809	$805,653	($319,156)
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$1,450,672	$199,800	($1,250,872)
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$20,000	$20,000	$0
Investment, Securities	$4,334,971	$3,781,423	($553,548)
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$373,042	$359,911	($13,131)
Other	$62,392	$100,471	$38,079
Total Assets	$7,855,234	$5,756,553	($2,098,681)

Liabilities	Oct 01, 2008	Sep 30, 2009	Change
Accounts Payable	$368,312	$476,565	$108,253
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$4,313	$14,166	$9,853
Loans and Notes	$56,990	$84,588	$27,598
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$218,423	$204,445	($13,978)
Total Liabilities	$648,038	$779,764	$131,726

Fund balance	Oct 01, 2008	Sep 30, 2009	Change
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets	$1,310,046	$79,757	-$1,230,289
Permanently Restricted Net Assets	$2,197,574	$905,635	-$1,291,939
Total Restricted Net Assets	$3,507,620	$985,392	($2,522,228)
Unrestricted Net Assets	$3,699,576	$3,991,397	$291,821
Net Assets	$7,207,196	$4,976,789	($2,230,407)

Assets	Oct 01, 2009	Sep 30, 2010	Change
Contributions	$2,559,350
Cash & Equivalents	$489,295	$257,118	($232,177)
Accounts Receivable	$805,653	$499,156	($306,497)
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$199,800	$1,833,177	$1,633,377
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$20,000	$20,000	$0
Investment, Securities	$3,781,423	$3,612,325	($169,098)
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$359,911	$315,514	($44,397)
Other	$100,471	$69,206	($31,265)
Total Assets	$5,756,553	$6,606,496	$849,943

Liabilities	Oct 01, 2009	Sep 30, 2010	Change
Accounts Payable	$476,565	$520,638	$44,073
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$14,166	$14,166	$0
Loans and Notes	$84,588	$565,551	$480,963
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$204,445	$208,188	$3,743
Total Liabilities	$779,764	$1,308,543	$528,779

Native American Rights Fund

Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitions

Fiscal Year: Oct 01 - Sep 30

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

This snapshot of Native American Rights Fund’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.

Created in partnership with

Fiscal year: Oct 01 - Sep 30 View full report Download data

Business model indicators

Profitability	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation	$551,673	$2,302,563	$19,107,971	-$7,088,762	$7,926,897
As % of expenses	4.4%	20.1%	138.4%	-49.3%	43.0%
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation	$490,736	$2,240,117	$18,973,856	-$7,290,450	$7,618,988
As % of expenses	3.9%	19.4%	136.1%	-50.0%	40.7%

Revenue composition
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted)	$13,057,847	$16,394,707	$30,510,271	$17,548,546	$18,937,073
Total revenue, % change over prior year	-1.6%	25.6%	86.1%	-42.5%	7.9%
Program services revenue	3.7%	3.6%	22.6%	5.5%	4.0%
Membership dues	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Investment income	12.1%	9.0%	4.5%	6.4%	6.7%
Government grants	21.2%	8.2%	8.4%	6.5%	9.2%
All other grants and contributions	60.5%	70.5%	48.4%	77.5%	85.5%
Other revenue	2.5%	8.7%	16.1%	4.2%	-5.4%

Expense composition
Total expenses before depreciation	$12,677,716	$11,460,649	$13,804,967	$14,375,935	$18,432,231
Total expenses, % change over prior year	-0.6%	-9.6%	20.5%	4.1%	28.2%
Personnel	47.6%	52.2%	49.3%	57.1%	54.4%
Professional fees	8.7%	15.9%	23.4%	11.7%	9.7%
Occupancy	2.4%	3.6%	3.2%	3.7%	3.6%
Interest	0.0%	0.0%	0.5%	0.0%	0.0%
Pass-through	5.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	6.0%
All other expenses	36.3%	28.3%	23.6%	27.5%	26.3%

Full cost components (estimated)	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Total expenses (after depreciation)	$12,738,653	$11,523,095	$13,939,082	$14,577,623	$18,740,140
One month of savings	$1,056,476	$955,054	$1,150,414	$1,197,995	$1,536,019
Debt principal payment	$0	$19,010	$20,987	$18,474	$19,054
Fixed asset additions	$125,170	$86,747	$7,680,789	$2,208,124	$1,625,154
Total full costs (estimated)	$13,920,299	$12,583,906	$22,791,272	$18,002,216	$21,920,367

Capital structure indicators

Liquidity	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Months of cash	3.0	5.7	7.9	3.9	6.5
Months of cash and investments	39.6	48.6	45.7	35.8	35.0
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets	36.8	43.0	45.6	36.0	32.2

Balance sheet composition	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Cash	$3,186,005	$5,459,355	$9,053,297	$4,631,036	$9,940,441
Investments	$38,669,064	$40,940,734	$43,560,875	$38,312,774	$43,802,184
Receivables	$2,572,671	$3,266,436	$11,192,640	$10,662,274	$3,448,010
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE)	$2,373,766	$1,653,982	$9,244,957	$11,428,710	$13,053,867
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE)	50.5%	27.5%	5.4%	5.9%	7.5%
Liabilities (as a % of assets)	3.1%	3.9%	2.1%	3.0%	4.9%
Unrestricted net assets	$39,943,793	$42,183,910	$61,157,766	$53,867,316	$61,486,304
Temporarily restricted net assets	$3,447,512	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Permanently restricted net assets	$1,034,947	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total restricted net assets	$4,482,459	$7,066,996	$10,115,367	$8,913,048	$6,374,209
Total net assets	$44,426,252	$49,250,906	$71,273,133	$62,780,364	$67,860,513

Key data checks

Key data checks	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Material data errors	No	No	No	No	No

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

Documents

Letter of Determination

Form 1023/1024 is not available for this organization

Executive Director

Mr. John E Echohawk

John Echohawk, a Pawnee, is the Executive Director of NARF. He was the first graduate of the University of New Mexico's special program to train Indian lawyers, and was a founding member of the American Indian Law Students Association while in law school. John has been with NARF since its inception, having served continuously as Executive Director since 1977. He has been recognized as one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America by the National Law Journal since 1988 and has received numerous service awards and other recognition for his leadership in the Indian law field. He serves on the Boards of the American Indian Resources Institute, the Association on American Indian Affairs, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. B.A., University of New Mexico (1967); J.D., University of New Mexico (1970); Reginald Heber Smith Fellow (1970-72); Native American Rights Fund (August 1970 to present); admitted to practice law in Colorado.

Deputy Direcotry

Matthew Campbell

Number of employees

Source: IRS Form 990

Native American Rights Fund

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

Native American Rights Fund

Highest paid employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of highest paid employee data for this organization

Native American Rights Fund

Board of directors
as of 01/22/2024

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Board of directors data

Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization

Board co-chair

Mrs. Lacy Horn

Cherokee Nation

Term: 2017 - 2023

Board co-chair

Mr. Kenneth Kahn

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Term: 2017 - 2023

Lacey A. Horn

Cherokee Nation

Kenneth Kahn

Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

Camille K. Kalama

Native Hawaiian

Rhonda Pitka

Athabascan/Inupiaq

Rebecca Miles

Nez Perce Tribe

Robert Miguel

Ak-Chin Indian Community

Rebecca Crooks Stratton

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux

Jamie Azure

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa

Geoffrey Blackwell

AMERIND

Stephanie Bryan

Poarch Band of Creek Indians

Gayla Hoseth

Curyung Tribe

Michael Petoskey

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa Chippewa Indians

Louie Ungaro

Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 5/20/2022

Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity

Native American/American Indian/Alaska Native/Indigenous

Gender identity

Male, Not transgender

Sexual orientation

Heterosexual or Straight

Disability status

Person without a disability

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity

Native American/American Indian/Alaska Native/Indigenous

Gender identity

Male, Not transgender

Sexual orientation

Heterosexual or Straight

Disability status

Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

Equity strategies

Last updated: 05/20/2022

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data

We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.

Policies and processes

We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.

Contractors

Fiscal year ending

Professional fundraisers

Fiscal year ending

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 Schedule G

Solicitation activities

Gross receipts from fundraising

Retained by organization

Paid to fundraiser

Native American Rights Fund

"We ask for nothing more, and will accept nothing less than the U.S. government keeping the promises made to Native Americans." -John Echohawk

Mission

Is this your nonprofit?

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

Our programs

National Indian Law Library

Litigation and Client Services

Where we work

Awards

Affiliations & memberships

Goals & Strategy

Charting impact

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

How we listen

Financials

Financial documents

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

Liquidity in 2023 info

13.87

Months of cash in 2023 info

6.5

Fringe rate in 2023 info

21%

Funding sources info

Assets & liabilities info

Financial data

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Native American Rights Fund

Native American Rights Fund

Native American Rights Fund

Business model indicators

Capital structure indicators

Key data checks

Operations

Documents

Executive Director

Mr. John E Echohawk

Deputy Direcotry

Matthew Campbell

Number of employees

Native American Rights Fund

Compensation data

Native American Rights Fund

Compensation data

Native American Rights Fund

Board of directors data

Mrs. Lacy Horn

Mr. Kenneth Kahn

Board leadership practices

Board orientation and education

CEO oversight

Ethics and transparency

Board composition

Board performance

Organizational demographics

Leadership

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

Equity strategies

Contractors

Professional fundraisers

Solicitation activities

Liquidity in 2023

Months of cash in 2023

Fringe rate in 2023

Funding sources

Assets & liabilities