Invest in Our Communities

For over 26 years, Oweesta Corporation has been a trusted and unwavering financial partner in Indian Country, advancing economic sovereignty and self-determination. Established by First Nations Development Institute, Oweesta was created to dismantle the structural barriers to capital that have historically limited Native communities. Today, we remain the only Native CDFI intermediary solely dedicated to delivering capital, expertise, and capacity-building resources to Native CDFIs, Tribal governments, and Native-led nonprofits across the country.
 
From Alaska Native villages to Hawaiian homelands, from the Plains to the Bayous, Oweesta has worked hand-in-hand with hundreds of Native-led organizations to design and implement lending solutions rooted in Indigenous values. Over these two and a half decades, our impact has extended across some of the most rural and underfunded areas of the United States, building community wealth and infrastructure where mainstream financial systems have failed to reach.
 
Oweesta’s lending approach is deeply intentional and flexible, ensuring that our capital meets the evolving needs of Native communities. We provide long-term revolving loan funds that empower Native CDFIs to relend resources within their communities for housing, small businesses, and consumer loans. Through participation lending, we collaborate on larger-scale financing opportunities, reducing risk for local lenders while driving capital into projects with significant community impact. Recognizing the urgency of energy sovereignty and climate resilience, we also deploy targeted clean energy lending to support renewable energy projects, infrastructure development, and sustainable economic models that align with Native environmental stewardship.
 
Native CDFIs and Tribal organizations often face significant challenges in acquiring capital for lending and operations. Oweesta bridges this gap not only by providing direct investment capital but also by pairing this financing with technical assistance and training, ensuring our partners have the tools to deploy funds effectively. The dollars we invest are recycled and reinvested back into Native communities, creating a powerful multiplier effect—fueling housing development, supporting entrepreneurs, expanding job opportunities, and leveraging additional capital from other investors.
 
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Oweesta has earned the trust of a broad network of socially responsible investors, including religious charities, philanthropic foundations, corporate partners, and individuals. These investors choose Oweesta because we not only deliver strong social and financial returns but also build the capacity of Native lenders to achieve long-term success. Our combination of capital investment and hands-on support has made Oweesta the cornerstone of Native financial infrastructure for over two decades.
 
Looking forward, Oweesta’s mission remains unwavering: to strengthen Native economies, uphold sovereignty, and create generational wealth across Indian Country. Our 26 years of experience have prepared us to lead the next era of Indigenous economic development, one grounded in innovation, resilience, and a deep respect for the communities we serve.
 
To make an investment in Oweesta or if you have any questions, please contact Chrystel Cornelius, CEO and President, at chrystel@oweesta.org.
$95.1M

Current Investment Portfolio
(as of March 31, 2025)

317

Investment Partners
(as of March 31, 2026)

$104M

Current Industry Demand

Building Native Futures Fund

Native-Led Investment in Sovereignty, Infrastructure, and Resilience

As part of our strategic goal to raise $500 million by 2030, the Building Native Futures Fund (BNFF) is more than just a fundraising effort—it is a movement to empower Native communities by leveraging the collective strength of partnerships. BNFF is a bold step forward in realizing our vision for Native prosperity, sovereignty, and resilience. Rooted in Indigenous values and guided by community, the Fund will help bridge the capital gap that has long limited opportunity for Native Nations and Native-led entities.

Through this initiative, we will deploy direct financing to unlock scalable, Native community-owned development and fuel economic independence across Indian Country. Our approach centers on catalyzing energy sovereignty and climate resilience—acknowledging both the urgent threats posed by climate change and the transformational potential of renewable energy.

At the heart of the Building Native Futures Fund is our commitment to expand lending and capital access—a foundational step toward long-term economic transformation for Native communities. Aligned with our long-term strategic priorities, BNFF will:

  • Expand access to capital for Native Nations and Native-led projects
  • Accelerate infrastructure and renewable energy solutions in partnership with Native CDFIs
  • Advance economic self-determination and generational wealth-building
  • Support development that is grounded in Indigenous values and designed for lasting impact

Indian Country stands at a pivotal moment. While Native communities have demonstrated extraordinary resilience, systemic barriers continue to limit access to capital and economic opportunity. This campaign is about breaking those barriers—uniting allies, philanthropists, investors, and Native-led organizations to unleash our full potential in leading our own economic future.

Together, we are not just investing in projects—we are investing in people, in sovereignty, and in the enduring strength of Native communities. Join us in building a future that honors the past and shapes a more resilient tomorrow.

Click a button below to learn more:

Building Native Futures Fund White Paper
Building Native Futures Fund Investor Model
Oweesta Selected in Transformative 25

CONTACT US

Oweesta Corporation
2432 Main Street, 1st Floor
Longmont, CO 80501
303.774.8838
info@oweesta.org

Office Hours
Mon-Thu: 8am-4pm MT
(Our team is available across several time zones.)

Oweesta is an equal opportunity employer and provider. We do not discriminate, learn more here: Title VI, Section 504.

LAP Policy

ABOUT OWEESTA

Oweesta is the longest standing Native CDFI intermediary offering financial products and development services exclusively to Native CDFIs and Native communities. Specifically, Oweesta provides training, technical assistance, investments, research, and policy advocacy to help Native communities develop an integrated range of asset-building products and services, including financial education and financial products.

Asset-building tools stimulate reservation economies by providing tribal members the opportunity to acquire financial management skills and build and accumulate assets through small business creation, homeownership, education, and much more.

Filing Civil Rights Complaints

If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, or reprisal for prior civil rights activity, you have the right to file a complaint. Complaints may be filed directly with the Director, Office of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity, at the following address:

Director, Office of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity
Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W.
Washington, DC 20220

Alternatively, complaints may be submitted via email to crcomplaints@treasury.gov.

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