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this page, last updated:
July 27, 2010


Invest in Lakota Funds

success coaching

Technical Assistance

Lakota Funds creates a nurturing environment for community businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs by providing trained business success coaches. The coaches work in the community helping each business and potential entrepreneur to remove barriers and achieve their dreams and goals. Small business success coaching was developed, after eighteen years in business Lakota Funds has had many successes and has gained a keener understanding of how to help our Lakota People to develop entrepreneurial knowledge. Small business success coaching is designed to provide client-centered, hands-on coaching uniquely tailored to the needs and circumstances of our entrepreneurs on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Success Coaching delivers a client centered approach to small business entrepreneurs. Backed by a network of businesses and potential entrepreneurs in the pursuit of the private sector economy for the Pine Ridge Reservation. Besides coaching new business ventures from the beginning. Success coaches also assist private businesses who are struggling for various reasons. Existing businesses that are contemplating expansion can also find assistance through Lakota Funds and its network of resources.

Lakota Funds believes this long term technical assistance approach will continue to have a positive impact on the repayment ability of businesses, which creates funding opportunities for other small business owners on the reservation. Consistent and timely repayment with Lakota Funds also builds the owners credit score thus making other loans whether for vehicles, equipment, or housing more available, affordable, and cost effective.

another success story
Another success story

Individual Development Account IDA are matched saving accounts for low-income people to be used specifically for building assets. These accounts will provide the capital, incentive, and support necessary to move individuals and families towards home ownership, or business development, or post-secondary education. Each $1.00 the participate deposited into IDA savings account, the Lakota Tiwahe program will match it $2.00 up to $1,800.00 for a total of $5,600 after two years of consistent saving of $75 a month. Plans can be for as little as $25 a month though. For more information on income guidelines and application process contact the Lakota Funds at 455-2500 or explore the following steps. Success Coaches and Loan Department staff will be glad to help you on any step of the way.

Small Business Success Coaching

To sign up for an appointment or get further information contact a Coach, call 455-2500 or email: Doug Patton or Kateri Montileaux

Training Opportunities

Through several different and ongoing training programs, Lakota Funds provides opportunities for community members, aspiring entrepreneurs, and small businesses to build on their dream of owning and operating a small business. Lakota Funds works with several partners to strengthen the management of personal finances and credit repair as a strong foundation for thriving businesses. We encourage you to consider the following courses in sequence if you have experienced any problems with paying your bills on time, obtaining good rates on credit cards, car, furniture, and/or appliance loans.

Personal Financial Skills Course (training)

(Required course for you to be approved for a Credit Builder Loan)

1-day course using Building Native Communities curriculum designed to help Native Americans adapt traditional skills of family resource management to the wise management of financial resources. The course will teach you gaining control and managing your Financial Future. The course shows how Native people have traditionally managed resources wisely and prepared for the future through careful planning, resourcefulness, savings, and preparations for upcoming events. These skills and strategies make for strong families and an economically strong nation and they can lead the way again:

  • Building a healthy economy
  • Developing a spending plan
  • Understanding and managing your credit and your credit report

Credit When Credit is Due Course (training)

1-day course, Curriculum used Credit when Credit is due by Paul Stassels. The course is taught in partnership with Black Hills Consumer Credit Counseling. Credit when credit is due is designed for the adult consumer who has used credit, or plans to use credit, and wants a better understanding of the terms, concepts and “rules” of credit use. By enrolling in this course, you will take an important step to gain a better understanding of credit in your life. Upon completing the 12-lesson course, you will receive a card certifying that your name and accomplishment have been recorded in a national registry, which lenders can contact if they should want confirmation of your achievement. You can also get 15 points added to your credit score by completing this course.

Core Four Business Planning Course (training)

6 weeks course, Curriculum used is Core Four. It won the Presidential award for excellence in developing entrepreneurial skills. Northeast Entrepreneur Fund out Virginia, Minnesota, created curriculum. The course will incorporate economics of the Reservation, identify challenges and barriers, and seek out how to overcome them. The Core Four Business Planning course will teach an aspiring or existing business owner, the information and skills needed in four fundamental CORE elements of business planning:
  • Plan for business success
  • Plan your business to meet the needs of the market place
  • Plan for your business cash flow needs
  • Plan how your business will operate

Homebuyer Education

1-day course, Pathways Home: A Native Homeownership Guide curriculum developed by the National Congress of American Indians will be used. Skills developed include:

This is a HUD approved Home Buying education course. Lakota Tiwahe (family savings)

Individual Development Accounts (IDA)

IDA participants combine the above training with group meetings and a savings plan that earns tem two dollars for each dollar saved. The Lakota Fund started the Lakota Tiwahe (family savings) IDA program in 2001. The First Native IDA program in the State of South Dakota. The Lakota Tiwahe IDA savings program is a collaborative effort between Lakota Funds and Security First Bank. It demonstrates the effective combination of economic education and personal efficiency training to realize a significant change towards spending and savings. Participation is usually limited to twenty on a first come, first serve basis. To check on availability, sign up or get on the waiting list contact the Success Coaches at 455-2500 or email: Doug Patton or Kateri Montileaux.

If you are interested in becoming a Lakota Tiwahe IDA Savings Program participant there are a few things that we would have to do:

  • Step 1: Check out the income guidelines (.doc) to see if you qualify. Find the number of people in your household and follow the row over to the 200% column and if your total annual income is below the figure that it shows, than you can be a possible client for the IDA program. For example, a family with four household members will have to have a total household income of under $40,000. If you qualify than proceed to Step 2.
  • Step 2: Complete the pre-questionnaire form(.doc)
  • Step 3: Complete the pre-application form(.doc)
  • Step 4: Complete the monthly obligation form(.doc)
  • Step 5: Call 455-2500 and schedule an interview appointment with Doug Patton or Kateri Montileaux of the Lakota Funds Success Coaching staff and bring the completed documents along with you.