Charitable Giving
Minnesota Indian communities are committed to sharing resources and supporting other tribes and non-Native communities. Through donations, grants, low or no-interest loans, and volunteerism, Minnesota’s tribes have supported nonprofits, health care facilities, schools, food shelves, homeless shelters, arts programs, environmental causes and local governments – both in Minnesota and across the country. Minnesota’s tribes have a longstanding tradition of charitable giving, rooted in values of community, cooperation and reciprocity.
MIGA member tribes help nonprofits, local communities and other tribes by:
- Donating time and resources to local nonprofits and communities
- Providing low or no-interest loans to tribal communities
- Creating partnerships and programs to help underrepresented people in need
See the real-world philanthropic impact of MIGA member tribes:
Treasure Island Resort & Casino Big Assist program
The Big Assist Program supports youth hockey by removing barriers associated with playing hockey, such as equipment costs and providing greater access to youth hockey programs like the “Hockey Is For Me” program and DinoMights “Learn 2 Skate” program. For every assist made by a Wild player during regular season games, $200 is donated to the Minnesota Wild Foundation. Through initiatives like The Big Assist program, the Prairie Island Indian Community has donated more than $1 million to the Minnesota Wild Foundation.
“Our tribe is active and engaged in Minnesota, and giving back is integral to who we are as Dakota people. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and proudly support the Wild Foundation’s values which closely align with Prairie Island Indian Community’s long history of supporting youth activities, fitness and leadership development.”
Shelley Buck
Former Prairie Island Tribal Council Vice President
Fortune Bay Resort Casino "Ticket In‚ Ticket Out" program
The Bois Forte Band of Minnesota Chippewa provides support to countless fundraisers and events for individuals, local businesses and nonprofits making a difference in Minnesota. Through its “Ticket In, Ticket Out” program, Fortune Bay Resort Casino has collected funds and donated to multiple local area food shelves and the Angel Fund of Northeastern Minnesota which provides financial assistance to Minnesota residents diagnosed with cancer. Furthermore, the “Ticket In, Ticket Out” initiative has provided United Way of Northeastern Minnesota’s (UWNEMN) Buddy Backpack program with donations to provide 482 weekend meal kits for food-insecure children across the Iron Range. Fortune Bay has given back to school districts across the Iron Range, animal shelters and many more.
“The donation will allow Angel Fund to provide financial assistance and a sense of hope to several Northeastern Minnesota residents battling cancer. Fortune Bay and its guests’ rock! Because of you, area cancer patients are the real winners!”
Kelly Grinsteinner
President, Angel Fund