# Native American Rights Fund

Native American Rights Fund is an Endowment / Foundation based in Boulder, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Boulder, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 250 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302, United States
- **Founded:** 1970
- **Assets under management:** $47 million (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** narf.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/nativeamericanrightsfund

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Echohawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation, co-founded the Native American Rights Fund in 1970 with seed funding from the Ford Foundation. The Boulder-based nonprofit operates as a law firm rather than a traditional foundation, using its financial endowment to directly fund lawsuits, legal advocacy, and expertise for Native American tribes, individuals, and organizations. The organization's investment strategy is unique among endowments: it deploys capital into litigation across multiple fronts including tribal sovereignty, natural resources protection, religious freedom, and education. NARF manages the Tribal Supreme Court Project in partnership with the National Congress of American Indians, shaping federal precedent on tribal jurisdiction. Its holdings also include physical infrastructure — its Boulder headquarters at 250 Arapahoe Avenue, co-located with the National Indian Law Library collection. NARF operates with a small leadership team of Native attorneys. Deputy Director Matthew L. Campbell, a member of the Native Village of Gambell, helps oversee the legal program. The board includes tribal leaders such as Chair Rebecca Crooks-Stratton of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Professional affiliations include the American Bar Association's Civil Rights and Social Justice Section and the National Native American Bar Association, reinforcing NARF's role as the legal backbone of the Indian rights movement. The fund's architecture is structurally different from other mission-driven endowments. It does not make grants. Instead, every dollar supports a permanent legal team that converts treaty obligations and federal law into enforceable judgments. The nonprofit's model is self-perpetuating: favorable rulings and fee recovery often replenish resources, maintaining the endowment's capacity to pursue multi-year litigation campaigns.

## People

- John E. Echohawk — Executive Director
- Matthew L. Campbell — Deputy Director
- Rebecca Crooks-Stratton — Board Chair
- Lacey Horn — Former Board Chair

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at the Native American Rights Fund?

The Executive Director, John E. Echohawk, and the Board of Directors oversee the allocation of financial resources. Unlike typical foundations, NARF's primary 'investment' is deploying capital toward legal cases. The board, which includes tribal leaders like Chair Rebecca Crooks-Stratton, governs the strategic direction of litigation funding.

### How does the Native American Rights Fund source its opportunities?

NARF identifies cases through direct requests from tribal governments, Native American organizations, and individuals whose treaty rights or resources are threatened. It also initiates litigation proactively to set legal precedent. The Tribal Supreme Court Project, co-managed with the National Congress of American Indians, monitors cases reaching the highest court.

### Does the Native American Rights Fund make grants?

No. NARF is a non-profit law firm and does not function as a grantmaking foundation. It uses its endowment to directly pay for attorneys and litigation costs. The return on this investment is measured in favorable court judgments, regulatory enforcement, and treaty compliance by federal and state governments.

### How is the Native American Rights Fund related to the Ford Foundation?

The Ford Foundation provided the initial funding to launch NARF in 1970. While NARF operates independently, the relationship established its foundational endowment and model as a specialized public-interest law firm focused on Native American rights.

### What is the Native American Rights Fund's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

NARF does not co-invest alongside traditional general partners. Its collaborative structures are professional and legal, not financial. It partners with organizations like the National Congress of American Indians on legal projects rather than pooling investment capital in private equity or venture structures.

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/native-american-rights-fund

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