The Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF) has opened its 2026 Request for Applications (RFA), marking the organization’s eighth funding cycle supporting Native farmers, ranchers, and food systems across Indian Country. Eligible entities can apply through May 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT for a share of $9.5 million in available funding to support projects that strengthen Native agriculture, expand access to capital, and create new opportunities for Native producers and communities.
Foundation and Impact
NAAF invests in opportunities for Native farmers and ranchers through grant funding that supports access to capital, agricultural education, business assistance, technical support, and advocacy services. Since NAAF’s founding in 2018, the organization has deployed nearly $86 million across 590 programs supporting more than 105,000 individual producers, farmers, harvesters, fishers, and youth. NAAF will continue its grantmaking efforts through 2038, investing in grants that are making significant, long-lasting positive impacts.
2026 Funding and Eligibility
For the 2026 funding cycle, NAAF seeks projects that support Native agricultural producers and strengthen food systems through practical, community-based solutions. Eligible activities include training and education programs, business development assistance, lending and financial services, technical support, youth engagement initiatives, and efforts that increase access to capital for Native farmers and ranchers.
Eligible entities include:
- 501c3s
- Educational organizations
- Native-serving Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
- Tribal governments and their instrumentalities
NAAF also invites applications for youth programming grants that engage the next generation of agriculturalists. Projects may include hands-on food production, youth agricultural leadership programs, and scholarships that connect Native youth with agricultural training or leadership opportunities.
To support applicants through the grant process, NAAF will host a series of informational webinars that provide an overview of the application process followed by a live question-and-answer session. NAAF will record each webinar and post the recordings on its website.
2026 RFA Webinar Schedule
- Thursday, March 12 | 2–4 p.m. CT – General and Youth Programming Overview
- Thursday, March 19 | 2–4 p.m. CT – Q&A Session
- Thursday, April 2 | 2–4 p.m. CT – Q&A Session
- Thursday, April 9 | 2–4 p.m. CT – Q&A Session
The complete 2026 Request for Applications, eligibility requirements, webinar registration, and application instructions are available at: nativeamericanagriculturefund.org/2026-rfa/
Applicants with questions about the application process can contact grants@NativeAmericanAgricultureFund.org.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Whitney Sawney
Director of Communications and Policy - Native American Agriculture Fund
media@nativeamericanagriculturefund.org
