Mission
The Red Cliff/Miskwaabikaang Fund assists programs and services contributing to the traditional values of the Ojibwe way of life through arts, language, medicinal foods and ceremonies in Red Cliff, Wisconsin. Grants benefit the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa/Gaa-Miskwaabikaang through work by organizations located in or providing service to residents of the Red Cliff Reservation. The fund does not directly provide grants to individuals or families but rather to nonprofit organizations serving individuals and families. Grants may support any program that improves the quality of life of the Red Cliff community. But generally, the fund supports work reflecting four priorities:
- Culture or language revitalization
- Dietary or health programs, including social services and substance use disorder treatment
- Artistic programs or services
- Environmental programs, including protection, conservation and testing
The fund encourages co-sponsorship and co-funding of projects.
Examples
The following are representative but not exclusive examples of projects:
- Educational programs that emphasize environmental awareness and an appreciation of nature in everyday life
- Ojibwemowin language teaching programs, lectures, authors
- School programs emphasizing wild rice camp, sugar bush and other traditional food-sustaining activities
- Beading, drum-making, birch bark basketry, textiles, painting and design of moccasins, mukluks or medicine bags
- Ceremonies or feasts that benefit community well-being
- Social service programs addressing, creating awareness of or providing solutions to: alcoholism, substance use disorder, mental illness, diabetes and elder abuse
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for funding, an organization must:
Be classified as one of the following:
- Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., traditional nonprofit)
- Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (e.g., governmental entities and schools)
- Section 7871 Tribal government
- Church
- Organization with a fiscal agent that is classified as one of the above
- Be located in or provide service to residents of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa/Gaa-Miskwaabikaang Reservation
Grant range
Grants generally range from $500 to $5,000.
Application timeline
Spring 2025 Grant Cycle
- Open: January 3, 2025
- Close: March 3, 2025 at 5pm
- Project Start Date: June 1, 2025, or later
- Project End Date: No more than 12 months from the project start date
- Notifications: By May 21, 2025
- Funding Awarded: May 30, 2025
