The Colorado Plateau Foundation’s approach begins addressing some of the philanthropic inequities on the Colorado Plateau. Less than .5% of national philanthropic dollars supports Native communities and Native-led initiatives. Of that amount, 74% is directed to urban initiatives, which excludes most of the vital work occurring on the Colorado Plateau. Moreover, 68% of philanthropic dollars intended to benefit Native people are granted to non-Native led organizations – disenfranchising the tribal leaders and communities conducting the work.

By directly giving to Native-led organizations and initiatives on the Colorado Plateau, the Colorado Plateau Foundation is supporting culturally-appropriate and culturally-grounded movements that have the potential to scale at a regional, national, and global scales.