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Native American Programs

The Native American Affairs Program supports education, open communication, community / social projects and other initiatives in collaboration with Tribal Nations located near Freeport-McMoRan’s active or discontinued operations. Here are some of the opportunities available for our Partnership Tribes, or those with which we have a direct relationship.

Community Contacts
Hualapai Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation and Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe 
Ondrea Barber | obarber@fmi.com

San Carlos Apache Tribe and White Mountain Apache Tribe
Tanayia White | twhite5@fmi.com

Tohono O’odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribe
Faith Soto | fliston@fmi.com

FM Native American Affairs Manager
Ondrea Barber | obarber@fmi.com

Native American Partnership Fund 
This grant supports programs and projects that benefit the community as a whole, rather than individuals or small groups, in the areas of education and training, health and wellness, cultural preservation, economic development, and/or environmental protection/management. Applications must demonstrate program and project sustainability beyond the grant period, and supplemental matching funds are highly encouraged. 

Requests to provide 100% of a project cost or budget should not be submitted, unless the project is part of a larger overall budget of which the requested project funding is just one part. The maximum indirect cost allowed by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation is 6% of direct project costs.

Applications also require demonstrated tribal support of the proposal, for example, with a Tribal Resolution, MOU/A with the tribe, Letter of Support signed by the appropriate tribal official(s) or leader(s), or other measure(s) identified by the tribe.  

Average Award Amount: $20,000 to $60,000 per grant
Application Period:  March 31 -  June 18, 2025 *application closes at 5pm PST*
Awards Announced:  September 26, 2025

Eligibile Tribal Nations: 
Hualapai Tribe
San Carlos Apache Tribe
Tohono O’odham Nation
White Mountain Apache Tribe
and nonprofit organizations working with these tribes

Sample Application
This can be used as reference when completing the online application.

Priority Social Impacts
Be sure to reference this list of Priority Social Impacts when completing the Impact Statement question in your application as your program must be delivering on one of these. Within this document you will find each social impact, the definition of the impact, successful examples of how to demonstrate that programming achieves the impact and how that will be measured.

Project Budget Template 
Organizations can access this template within the application once logged into our online system. The template was established by the Foundation and is required. No other budgets will be considered.

Resources, Evidence and Tools
These resources can help you tell the story of your program's anticipated impact. Each link contains evidence, research, or tools that can strengthen your measurement practices or help connect the dots between your program's activities and evidence of impact. 

RECORDING: Freeport-McMoRan Application Training Video
We require all organizations submitting an application to watch this video for support and insight on how to submit a competitive application.  

  
 
Native American Community Activities and Contributions Grant
The grant supports local tribal community events, activities and programs that promote education and training, health and wellness, cultural preservation, economic development, and/or environmental protection/management.

Amount: Up to $5,000 per grant
Eligibility: Hualapai Tribe,  Pascua Yaqui Tribe, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Tohono O’odham Nation, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe, and nonprofit organizations working with these tribes.
Application Period:  January 1 to October 31, 2025
Awards Announced: 30 days after receipt of a completed application.
          
Click here to download the Native American Community Activities Guidelines and Application. We accept written and typed applications.

Navajo Nation Chapter / Community Contributions Grant
The grant, consistant with the Memorandum of Agreement supports local tribal community events, activities and programs that promote education and training, health and wellness, cultural preservation, economic development, and/or environmental protection / management.

Community Contact
Navajo Nation 
Lydelle Davies

Amount: Up to $5,000 per grant
Eligibility: The following Navajo Nation Chapters – Beclabito, Chilchinbeto, Cove, Dennehotso, Kayenta, Mexican Water, Oljato, Red Valley, Shiprock, Smith Lake, Sweet Water, and Teec Nos Pos.
Application Period: March 1 to August 15, 2025
Awards Announced: 30 days after receipt of a completed application

Click here to download the Navajo Nation Chapter/Community Contributions Guidelines and Application. We accept written and typed applications. 


Project DreamCatcher 
                     
This one-week, intensive business training program for Native American women entrepreneurs is fully funded by Freeport-McMoRan and administered by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Eligibility: Enrolled female member of one of the following Tribal Nations:

  • Hualapai Tribe
  • Navajo Nation
  • San Carlos Apache Tribe
  • Tohono O'odham Nation
  • White Mountain Apache Tribe
  • Fort Sill Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache Tribe
  • Mescalero Apache Tribe
  • Ak-Chin Indian Community
  • Gila River Indian Community
  • Hopi Tribe
  • Pascua Yaqui Tribe
  • Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
  • Tonto Apache Tribe
  • Yavapai-Apache Nation
  • Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe
  • Zuni Pueblo

Application Period: Varies - for more information, visit Project DreamCatcher

DreamBuilder
Sponsored by Freeport-McMoRan, this unique online business training program helps individuals build their dream of starting or growing their own business. For more information, visit DreamBuilder.
Eligibility: Open to all

Freeport-McMoRan Native American Scholarship 
This scholarship is funded by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and administered by Education Forward Arizona. The value of this scholarship is:

  • $3,000/per semester for students enrolled in a four-year program at a university or tribal college 
  • $1,500/per semester for students enrolled at a two-year program at a community college or tribal college. 
  • $5,000/per semester for students enrolled in a graduate progam
  • For students enrolled at a trade or technical school, the value of this scholarship will be determined by program length, not to exceed $15,000.
Apply Here

Freeport-McMoRan Navajo Code Talkers Scholarship
This scholarship is funded by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and administered by Education Forward Arizona. This scholarship was created to acknowledge and honor the selfless service of the 400 Navajo Code Talkers and the contribution they made to our country during World War II. The value of this scholarship is:

  • $3,000/per semester for students enrolled in a four-year program at a university or tribal college  
  • $1,500/per semester for students enrolled at a two-year program at a community college or tribal college. For students enrolled at a trade or technical school, the value of this scholarship will be determined by program length, not to exceed $15,000.

Cyprus Tohono Corporation Four Year Scholarship 
This scholarship is funded by the Cyprus Tohono Corporation, a subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan, and administered by Education Forward Arizona.  Two scholarships are awarded to two students who are enrolled Tohono O’odham Nation members residing in Arizona and attending an accredited Arizona based university.

  • This scholarship will cover tuition, fees, books and room and board at the rate of an in-state Arizona resident for up to four years.

Cyprus Tohono Josiah Moore Memorial Scholarship 
This scholarship is funded by the Cyprus Tohono Corporation, a subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan, and administered by Education Forward Arizona. This scholarship is awarded to one student who is an enrolled member of the Tohono O’odham Nation. The value of this scholarship is:

  • $3,000/per semester for students enrolled in a four-year program at a university or tribal college
  • $1,500/per semester for students enrolled in a two-year program at a community college or tribal college. 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Students awarded with a scholarship are also required to participate in the Success Services Program, in partnership with Education Forward Arizona. The participation requirements include:

  • Participation in advising sessions with a Success Adviser twice per semester
  • Keeping in constant contact with your Success Adviser
  • Submit all paperwork, including transcripts, schedules, school changes and other requests by Education Forward Arizona or your Success Adviser
  • Respond to all Education Forward Arizona communication within 48 hours
  • Attend the Annual Leadership Symposium (if required by your Success Adviser)
  • Attend one Scholar Success Network meeting per semester
  • Follow the College and Career Success Milestones as presented by your Success Adviser

Selection Criteria

  • Be an enrolled member of one of the following tribal nations:
  • Hualapai Tribe
  • Navajo Nation
  • San Carlos Apache Tribe
  • Tohono O’odham Nation
  • White Mountain Apache Tribe
  • Ak-Chin Indian Community
  • Mescalero Apache Tribe 
  • Fort Sill Chiricahua Warm Springs Apache Tribe 
  • Gila River Indian Community
  • Hopi Tribe
  • Pascua Yaqui Tribe
  • Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
  • Tonto Apache Tribe
  • Yavapai- Apache Nation
  • Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe
  • Zuni Pueblo
  • Be attending an accredited community college, tribal college, four-year university, trade school, or graduate school.
  • Be a full-time student (minimum of 12 credit hours or full time as deemed by the institution)
  • Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and be in good current academic standing
  • Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Scholarship renewal is contingent upon maintaining good academic standing, maintaining full-time enrollment and a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA.
  • Prior receipt of a scholarship does not guarantee a future academic year scholarship.
  • If you are a current Native American Scholarship Program scholarship recipient, DO NOT submit an application. Please reach out to your success adviser at Education Forward Arizona

For questions, contact Myrna Cardenas at mentoring@educationforwardarizona.org