North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems

What it reported doing in 2024

Indigenous Food AccessThe Indigenous Food Access program at North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS) has made significant progress in enhancing access to healthy Indigenous foods and building capacity for Tribal kitchens over the past year. 1. Capacity Building for Tribal Kitchens: The program successfully provided technical assistance and resources to 10 Tribal kitchens, analyzing their capacity to improve their operations and expand their offerings. This included training on food safety, menu planning, and sourcing local Indigenous ingredients, as well as comprehensive lists of equipment needed to prepare these foods and links to purchase this equipment. The objective of this initiative is to strengthen the capacity of Tribal kitchens to provide nutritious meals that reflect Indigenous culinary traditions, ultimately promoting food sovereignty within their communities. 2. Community Events and Food Distribution: Over the past year, the program organized 15 community events focused on food access, including harvest festivals and cooking demonstrations. These events attracted around 600 participants, fostering community engagement and awareness of Indigenous food systems. Additionally, the program facilitated the distribution of over 2,000 pounds of locally sourced Indigenous foods to families in need, addressing food insecurity within the community. The long-term goal is to create a sustainable food network that ensures all community members have access to healthy Indigenous foods. 3. Educational Workshops: The program conducted 12 educational workshops aimed at teaching community members about traditional food preparation, foraging, and the nutritional benefits of Indigenous foods. Approximately 180 participants attended these workshops, which emphasized hands-on learning and cultural connection. The objective is to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to reclaim their food heritage and make informed dietary choices that support their health and well-being.Through these accomplishments, the Indigenous Food Access program has effectively advanced NATIFS' mission of promoting food sovereignty, enhancing access to healthy Indigenous foods, and revitalizing cultural practices, ultimately contributing to the health and resilience of Native communities.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 20.1%; rating input score 20
• Program expense ratio: 68%; rating input score 68
• Fundraising efficiency: $26.78 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 90%; rating input score 90; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 2 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 25
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 69.7%; rating input score 96; 96th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.51; rating input score 82; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.17; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 8.3%; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 30.1% per year; rating input score 100; 92nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 28.2% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 30.9% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings