New grants announcement comes on the heels of the fourth N7 Sport Summit, which brought together 200 Native American and Aboriginal leaders, youth
BEAVERTON, Ore. – Nike is proud to announce that grants totaling $495,000 are being distributed through the N7 Fund’s latest funding cycle to 32 nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving health and wellness in North American tribal communities. Additional 2016 grantees will be named later this fall. Since its launch in 2009, the N7 Fund has provided more than $4 million in grants to 185 communities, schools and nonprofit organizations across the U.S. and Canada – reaching more than 400,000 youth and supporting organizations that provide positive experiences in sport and physical activity for Native American and Aboriginal youth.
N7 Fund grants are one-year awards that support organizations and projects creating a world where physical activity, play and sport are highly valued for youth ages 8 to 18. This cycle’s award recipients feature Inter Tribal Sports, a nonprofit organization that provides year-round sports and enrichment programs designed specifically for southern California Native American communities, and BC Aboriginal, Sport, Recreation & Physical Activity Partners Council, which is dedicated to improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal people across British Columbia by expanding access to sport and recreation opportunities. A full list of recipients is available here.
“These 32 organizations have the power to make an important difference in the lives of the kids in their communities, and we’re proud to support them through the N7 Fund. From Akwesasne, New York to the Okanagan Nation in British Columbia, Canada, these organizations are helping Native American and Aboriginal youth move to be healthier and stronger, and become role models for the next generation, and generations beyond,” said Jackie Blackbird, Program/Partnership Manager for Nike’s N7 Fund.
The N7 Fund’s 2017 grant cycle will open on September 15, 2016. Apply by December 15, 2016 at n7fund.com/apply/.
N7 Sport Summit Brings Together 200 Native American and Aboriginal Sport and Physical Activity Leaders, Youth and Influencers, Including Taboo of The Black Eyed Peas.
The fourth N7 Sport Summit took place September 9-10, 2016 at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. This two-day summit – presented by the N7 Fund and the Native Wellness Institute, a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the well-being of Native people – is designed to bring community leaders together to discuss how sport can be a catalyst for holistic transformation in Native American and Aboriginal communities.
Gathering more than 200 youth, community leaders and other influencers in the sport and physical activity area, this year’s summit focused on amplifying youth voices and equipping the community to increase healthy, active lifestyles for future generations.
The newest N7 Ambassador, Taboo of The Black Eyed Peas, kicked off the welcome reception on Thursday, September 8. Taboo’s heritage includes Shoshone Indian from his mother’s side, and he is passionate about advancing the work of Nike N7 to help inspire Native youth to live a healthier lifestyle. Other Summit participants include Waneek Horn-Miller, Canadian Olympian, Tewanee Joseph, former CEO of the Four Host First Nations, Vancouver 2010 Olympics, and several N7 Athlete Ambassadors, including the three of the Thompson brothers, all professional lacrosse players. There was also a special prerecorded message from First Lady Michelle Obama, welcoming attendees to the Summit.
In his opening remarks, Nike Global Community Impact Vice President Jorge Casimiro noted, “Active kids are happier, healthier and more successful. And active lives also help to positively impact some of the greatest challenges Native American and Aboriginal youth face. That’s why Nike, in partnership with many of the Summit attendees, is working to get kids active early and for life.”
About the N7 Fund: The N7 Fund was created in 2009 to provide grants to Native American and Aboriginal organizations providing positive experiences in sport and physical activity to Native youth. We believe that through physical activity, sport and play, Native youth can unleash the power of their generation. We also believe that sport and physical activity have the power to positively affect some of the greatest challenges that Native youth face, such as diabetes, obesity, suicide, and low graduation rates. To date, the N7 Fund has awarded more than $4 million in grants to 185 communities, schools and nonprofit organizations across the U.S. and Canada, reaching more than 400,000 youth. The N7 Fund partners with CAF America to provide due diligence and grant disbursement for its annual funding cycle. The N7 Fund is part of Nike’s Global Community Impact work. n7fund.com
About Nike Global Community Impact: Nike believes in the power of sport to move the world and unleash human potential. However, the world is moving less and less, and today’s generation of children is the least physically active ever. That’s why Nike works to get kids (ages 7-12) active early and for life, because active kids are happier, healthier and more successful. Together with its employees, partners, consumers and athletes, Nike also supports important causes that strengthen communities across the globe.
