1. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Priority Deadline Approaching: Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities
Priority Deadline: November 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM Hawaiian Standard Time.
Upcoming Program Dates: May 4-8, 2026
Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities (LPIBSC) is an executive education program developed in partnership with NAFOA, Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education, and AFOA Canada. The program equips Tribal and Indigenous leaders and finance professionals from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia with the skills to strengthen innovative, high-performing communities and organizations.
Through interactive learning with world-class HBS faculty and Native guest speakers, participants gain diverse insights, build lasting connections, and earn a Harvard Business School Certificate of Program Completion.
Limited financial assistance is available. Early application is highly encouraged.
2. WEBINAR:
Cybersecurity Seminar for Tribal Leaders – Success Against Fraud Events
Wednesday, Oct 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM ET
The Cybersecurity Seminar for Tribal Leaders – SAFE (Success Against Fraud Events), led by MGO and Columbia Bank, provides actionable insights into fraud prevention, incident response, and federal funding opportunities — tailored for Tribal leadership.
Key Topics Covered: Cyber threats targeting Tribal financial; systems and gaming operations; Fraud prevention strategies for Tribal governments and enterprises; Incident response planning and cross-department coordination; Federal cybersecurity grants and funding opportunities; Building a culture of accountability and ethical leadership.
Who Should Attend: Tribal council members, finance leaders, gaming executives, and IT/security professionals involved in governance, compliance, and strategic planning.
Source: MGO x Columbia Bank
3. MUST READ:
Native CDFI Relending Program Expands Access to Affordable Homeownership in Indian Country
A U.S. Department of Agriculture demonstration program enables Native Community Development Financial Institutions to offer more low-cost mortgages to home buyers on reservations.
In 2018, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a partnership with Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to increase Native home buyers’ use of one of its cornerstone loan products: the affordable, long-term USDA 502 Direct Loan.1 Under this new partnership, called the Native CDFI Relending Demonstration Program, participating Native CDFIs borrow funds from the USDA and use them to originate 502 direct mortgage loans to Native borrowers.
The program provides Native CDFIs with long-term capital—a resource that’s typically challenging for them to access—and leverages their deep ties to tribal communities. It’s a departure from the standard 502 direct loan model, where applicants work directly with the USDA or a USDA-certified intermediary and the federal government originates the loan.
Source: Center for Indian Country Development, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
4. FOR ORGANIZATIONS:
Building Nonprofit Advocacy Capacity
Building Nonprofit Advocacy Capacity is a part-time, free virtual program designed to support US-based organizations working in the public interest – such as nonprofits, direct services providers, or university and research centers – who want to grow the policy and advocacy capabilities of their organization. Participants will learn how to educate and persuade potential partners on policy issues that impact the communities your organization serves, and how to obtain the resources – including staffing – to support having impact in the policy space. This course will include an overview of how to be strategic in advocating for policy changes at your organization with its current staff; and how to bring on additional staff to work on policy change.
Application Deadline: Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 11:59PM PT
Timeline:
- October 14 – November 16, 2025: Application window is open.
- By November 21, 2025: Participants are notified of their acceptance.
- December 8-12, 2025: Building Nonprofit Advocacy Capacity runs, with daily sessions from 9 – 11am PT / 12 – 2pm ET.
Source: Aspen Policy Academy
5. JOB OPPORTUNITY:
Summer 2026 Internship Program, FS Advisory Group
Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
This paid, full-time internship (June 1 – July 31, 2026) offers a unique, hands-on learning experience for undergraduate juniors and seniors interested in finance, consulting, and making a positive impact in Indian Country. Interns will rotate through multiple business lines—including Advisory, Investment, Prospecta Growth Partners, and Tribal Administrative Services—while working on real projects and a capstone assignment.
Key Details:
Location: Pensacola, FL (housing provided if needed)
Compensation: $18.00/hour, 40 hours/week
Eligibility: Juniors or seniors enrolled in a bachelor’s program (Finance, Business, Economics, or related field), minimum GPA 3.4
Source: FS Advisors
