Lakota Funds recently became a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency through Oweesta Corporation’s Native Homeownership Network, the only national housing counseling network comprised exclusively of Native-led organizations seeking to increase homeownership for Native Americans. “This provides our community members with a local resource they can turn to for […]
A Decade-Old Dream Comes True, Thanks to Persistence and Partnership
Bill and Sandra Cummings start Whispering Pines Bed, Breakfast & Outfitters in South Dakota Badlands. Ten years ago, Bill Cummings (Oglala Lakota) had a dream to purchase a 186-acre site that had previously operated as a camping and cabin resort just outside of the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. […]
Local Organizations Discuss Upcoming Relief Fund Payments
In anticipation of the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s (OST’s) disbursement of individual relief payments to tribal members, the Lakota Federal Credit Union and Lakota Funds met with the Tribe’s Media Relations Department. The discussion, which also included a segment with OST President, Kevin Killer, was broadcast as a […]
Celebrating Native American Homeownership!
With National Homeownership Month getting under way, the Lakota Federal Credit Union and Lakota Funds are celebrating increased rates of Native American homeownership on the Pine Ridge Reservation. An analysis of data gathered by the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition indicated that homeownership rates in South Dakota’s reservation communities […]
Native American Artist Gallery to Re-Emerge with Support from Collaborative Financing Model
After being closed to the public since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Racing Magpie, an organization that provides creative workspace to Native American artists and is known for their contemporary art exhibits, plans to re-open in a new building on the southside of Rapid City, South […]
Paycheck Protection Program Funds Still Available for Farmers, Ranchers, and Small Business Owners
Lakota Funds and the Lakota Federal Credit Union are partnering to ensure farmers, ranchers, and small business owners located on the Pine Ridge Reservation and surrounding areas will receive all the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds they are eligible for. Ag producers may be eligible for forgivable loans up to […]
Lakota Funds Receives $2M Wells Fargo Open for Business Award
Lakota Funds is pleased to announce a $2,000,000 grant award from Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund program, which was launched to provide relief to the nation’s small business sector in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wells Fargo is donating roughly $420 million to help small businesses impacted […]
Seeking to Fill Position for Ag Lender!
Lakota Funds, a Native American community loan fund, based on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, is currently hiring for an Ag Lender. As a nonprofit organization, our mission is to promote economic sustainability on the Pine Ridge Reservation and geographic service area, through business loans, technical assistance, […]
Native American Homeownership Featured on Freddie Mac Podcast
During the Freddie Mac Home Starts Here podcast, James Cromartie from Freddie Mac and Tawney Brunsch (Executive Director of Lakota Funds) discuss the realities of homeownership. They outline, not only the challenges, but also the exciting headway that is being made to increase homeownership opportunities in Native communities.
Lakota Funds Designated as Partner Agency for SD CARES Housing Assistance Program
If you have been financially impacted due to COVID-19, the SD CARES Housing Assistance Program (SDCHAP) may provide temporary rental, mortgage, or utility assistance for South Dakota residents who: Owe past-due rent or utilities because they have experienced a particular loss due to COVID-19; Have incomes at or below 115% […]