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

Mission

The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) provides legal representation and technical assistance to Native American Tribes, organizations, and individuals nationwide - a constituency that often lacks access to the justice system. NARF focuses on applying existing laws and treaties to guarantee that national and state governments live up to their legal obligations. NARF's five priorities are preserving Tribal existence, protecting Tribal natural resources, promoting Native American human rights, holding governments accountable, and developing and educating on Indian law.

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

John Echohawk

Main address

250 Arapahoe Ave

Boulder, CO 80302-5821 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

84-0611876

Subject area info

Public interest law

Antidiscrimination

Arts and culture

Population served info

Indigenous peoples

Adults

NTEE code info

Civil Rights, Advocacy for Specific Groups (R20)

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

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?

Litigation and Client Services

Provides legal representation, assistance and education to Native American People

Population(s) Served

Indigenous peoples

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

Where we work

United States

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

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 2024

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

15.71

Average of 19.69 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2024

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

2.3

Average of 5.3 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2024

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

20%

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

Revenue
Contributions	$19,677,196
Government Grants	$1,247,850
Program Services	$1,003,416
Investments	$2,611,267
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$46,411
Total Revenue	$24,586,140

Expenses
Program Services	$14,502,887
Administration	$2,286,813
Fundraising	$3,701,512
Total Expenses	$20,491,212
Net Gain/Loss	$4,094,928

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$34,625
Advertising & Promotion	$445
Information Technology Expenses	$440,600
Insurance Expenses	$54,203
Interest Expenses	$14,855
Investment Management Fees	$383,057
Legal Fees	$1,009,135
Pension Plan Contributions	$404,775
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$33,300

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

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

John Echohawk

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 10/14/2025

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Board of directors data

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

Camille Kalama BOARD MEMBER

Gayla Hoseth BOARD MEMBER

Geoffrey Blackwell BOARD MEMBER

Jamie Azure BOARD MEMBER

Kenneth Kahn VICE-CHAIRMAN

Lacey Horn CHAIRWOMAN

Lori Stinson BOARD MEMBER

Louie Ungaro BOARD MEMBER

Michael Petoskey BOARD MEMBER

Rebecca Crooks-Stratton BOARD MEMBER

Rebecca Miles BOARD MEMBER

Rhonda Pitka BOARD MEMBER

Robert Miguel BOARD MEMBER

Stephanie Bryan BOARD MEMBER - END 5/3/2024

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

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

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

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

Our programs

Litigation and Client Services

National Indian Law Library

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 2024 info

15.71

Months of cash in 2024 info

2.3

Fringe rate in 2024 info

20%

Funding sources info

Assets & liabilities info

Financial data

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Native American Rights Fund

Native American Rights Fund

Operations

Documents

Executive Director

John Echohawk

Number of employees

Native American Rights Fund

Compensation data

Native American Rights Fund

Compensation data

Native American Rights Fund

Board of directors data

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

Liquidity in 2024

Months of cash in 2024

Fringe rate in 2024

Funding sources

Assets & liabilities