The Tribal Nation Grant Fund (TNGF) is a fund of tribal dollars created through many of the California tribal-state compacts for the purposes of effective self-governance, self-determined community, and economic development.
In September 2018, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB-880 Tribal Nation Grant Fund. The bill also established, within state government, the Tribal Nation Grant Fund Panel and the Tribal Nation Grant Fund Program, through which the panel may award grants and make other distributions from the fund to eligible tribes, as defined, with the assistance of the Tribal Advisor, the Bureau of Gambling Control, and the California Gambling Control Commission, as specified.
Only non-gaming and limited gaming (350 or fewer machines Vegas-style machines) tribes in California are eligible for these funds.
Eligible tribes can apply for more than one grant, and more than one eligible tribe can apply jointly, but the funds cannot be used for gaming or per capita payments.
Eligible purposes or projects may include, but are not limited to, development of curricula in a tribal language or culture, housing, support for compliance with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, vocational training, community development, investments in tribal schools and colleges, support of tribal government institutions and tribal courts, non-gaming economic diversification, or investment in public health, information technology, renewable energy, water conservation, cultural preservation or awareness, educational programs, or scholarships.
The Panel of tribal leaders, with the assistance of the Governor’s Tribal Advisor, is responsible for awarding grants and other distributions from the fund to eligible tribes and for creating the policies for the administration of the TNGF program.
NORTHERN REGION
1 Year Term: Chairman Buster Attebery, Karuk
2 Year Term: Council Member Maria Liz Hernandez, Fort Bidwell Indian Community
3 Year Term: Council Member Jennifer Akins, Elk Valley
CENTRAL REGION
1 Year Term: Vice Chairperson Melissa Tayaba, Shingle Springs
2 Year Term: Vice Chairman Larry Galupe, Middletown Rancheria
3 Year Term: Chairman Carl Dalhlberg, Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians
SOUTHERN REGION
1 Year Term: Chairman Thomas Tortez, Torres Martinez
2 Year Term: Chairman Marcus Cuero, Campo
3 Year Term: Vice Chairman James Hill, La Posta
More information can be found on the TNGF website at www.tngf.ca.gov.
Contact:
Erica Dennis
Tribal Nation Grant Fund Program Analyst
California Gambling Control Commission
2399 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 220
Sacramento, CA 95833-4231
Office: (916) 758-1998 | Email: edennis@cgcc.ca.gov
Tribal Governments can also send questions or comments to tribalconsultation@tngf.ca.gov.