Native Sun Community Power Development
Native Sun Community Power Development is a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that deploys EV charging, solar, and workforce programs to advance energy sovereignty for Tribal Nations and rural communities across the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Native Sun Community Power Development does
Native Sun Community Power Development is a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 84-4052420) founded in 2016 by Robert Blake, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a satellite operations office in Bemidji. The organization advances energy sovereignty for Tribal Nations and rural communities across a five-state Upper Midwest region spanning Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Its portfolio of programs includes Electric Nation, an intertribal EV charging network; 8th Fire Solar and the Makwa Solar Array, renewable energy deployment initiatives; Solar Cub, a youth education program; and a Green Jobs workforce development track delivered in partnership with tribal colleges. The organization does not develop proprietary technology; rather, it integrates partner-provided infrastructure, notably OATI's EVolution smart charging platform, and deploys third-party hardware (Level 2 and DC fast chargers, solar arrays, microgrid systems) onto tribal lands under tribal ownership arrangements.
Native Sun Community Power Development firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Native Sun Community Power Development
- Legal name
- Native Sun Community Power Development
- Website
- https://nativesun.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Native Sun Community Power Development is a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that deploys EV charging, solar, and workforce programs to advance energy sovereignty for Tribal Nations and rural communities across the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Native Sun Community Power Development industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tribal Clean Energy Services
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Generation (22111), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Land Use, Indigenous & Community Engagement Policy (EUAMANAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Solar Development & Subscription Management (EUAMAJAA), Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD), Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ)
Keywords
Where Native Sun Community Power Development is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Native Sun Community Power Development business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Native Sun operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 84-4052420) that generates revenue through tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. The organization encourages donations through platforms like Every.org and PayPal.
- Government Grants: The organization receives significant funding from federal government grants including Department of Energy grants ($6 million DOE grant for Electric Nation in 2021, $6.7M DOE Vehicle Technologies Office grant), Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Electrification Program ($9.3 million for Mawka Solar Array), and other federal funding programs.
- Foundation Grants: Native Sun receives grant funding from foundations including the Fund of the Sacred Circle ($25,000 annual grant as part of 2-year grant cycle totaling $50,000), and other philanthropy partners. These grants support operational costs and program implementation.
- Program Services: Revenue generated through program activities including workforce development training, technical assistance to tribes, and educational programs like Solar Cub. Proceeds from merchandise sales in the Gift Shop also contribute to funding community environmental programs.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Native Sun Community Power Development product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Native Sun Community Power Development is a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that deploys clean energy programs to advance energy sovereignty for tribal and rural communities in the Upper Midwest. Its core offerings include the Electric Nation EV charging infrastructure program (122 chargers and 16 tribal fleet vehicles across five states), 8th Fire Solar renewable energy deployment, the Makwa 3 MW solar array, Solar Cub youth education, Green Jobs workforce training, and technical assistance and policy advocacy for tribal nations.
Product overview
Native Sun Community Power Development is a Native-led nonprofit organization that operates as a multi-program portfolio rather than a single unified product. The core flagship initiative is Electric Nation™, a $13.4 million electric vehicle infrastructure program that has installed 122 EV chargers across tribal lands and deployed nearly 30 electric vehicles to tribal fleets. This is complemented by renewable energy programs including 8th Fire Solar and the Makwa Solar Array project, youth education through Solar Cub, and workforce development training. The organization also provides technical assistance and policy advocacy services to tribal nations. A recent partnership with OATI brings EVolution™ smart charging technology to the platform, while the Gift Shop merchandise line supports fundraising. All programs are grounded in the Anishinaabe worldview and the principle of seven generations, aiming to advance energy sovereignty for tribal and rural communities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Electric Nation: A regional intertribal electric vehicle charging network program connecting tribal communities across the Upper Midwest, installing EV chargers and deploying electric vehicles to tribal fleets.
- 8th Fire Solar
- Solar Cub
- Workforce Development
Products and services
- Electric Nation
- 8th Fire Solar
- Makwa Solar Array A 3-megawatt solar project near Blackduck, Minnesota, expected to power roughly 500 homes and complete in June 2027. Funded by $9.3 million from Bureau of Indian Affairs' Tribal Electrification Program alongside $2 million tribal investment, and wholly owned by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians once complete.
- Solar Cub Youth education initiative that teaches families and youth about how energy works, the impacts of climate change, and the promise of clean energy through hands-on activities including solar kits and mobile classrooms.
- Green Jobs Workforce Development A workforce training program that equips Native and rural workers with skills needed to thrive in the clean energy industry, including training in EV charging infrastructure, solar panel installation, and related technical fields through partnerships with employers and tribal colleges.
- Technical Assistance to Tribes Provides technical expertise and support to tribal nations for clean energy planning, EV infrastructure deployment, and renewable energy project development.
- Policy & Advocacy Advocacy efforts that ensure Native voices are central in shaping Minnesota's energy future, working in partnership with Tribal Nations, state agencies, and allies to champion equity and energy sovereignty.
- Gift Shop Merchandise Eco-friendly and organic merchandise featuring designs inspired by Anishinaabe culture and environmental stewardship, including apparel, reusable bags, and accessories. Proceeds support community environmental programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 122 EV chargers installed across the Upper Midwest
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Native Sun Community Power Development
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Native Sun Community Power Development technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature1 record
Native Sun Community Power Development partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Open Access Technology International (OATI)coreStrategic partnership to accelerate energy sovereignty through smart EV charging infrastructure deployment. OATI provides EVolution smart charging solution including cloud-hosted Network Management System, mobile app, and 24/7 support. Native Sun is in final phase of Electric Nation deployment with OATI supporting installation coordination across tribal nations.
- SAGE (Standing Rock Renewable Energy Power Authority)coreNative Sun and SAGE jointly won a $6 million DOE grant in 2021 to create Electric Nation. SAGE operates as the tribal clean energy organization for Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, managing EV charging network and wind farm development. The partnership has installed 13+ EV chargers at Standing Rock, creating an intertribal charging network.
- Plug In AmericacoreCo-sponsor of Freedom to Drive events, providing EV education and expertise. Partnered on February 2026 webinar 'Electric Vehicles in Everyday Life' for Red Lake Nation. Provides practical EV information, charging guidance, and cost savings education.
- American Lung AssociationminorProject partner in Electric Nation funding, providing matching funds alongside Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, North Dakota Clean Cities, and utilities.
- Clean Cities Coalitions (MN, ND, WI, MI)minorRegional partnership with Clean Cities Coalitions across four states supporting EV infrastructure and clean transportation initiatives.
- Minnesota Center for Energy and EnvironmentminorCommunity energy and environment organization listed as a partner supporting Native Sun's clean energy initiatives.
- Michigan Technological UniversityminorAcademic partnership supporting research, technical assistance, and workforce development for tribal energy projects.
- DEED (Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development)minorState government partner supporting workforce development and economic development initiatives in Minnesota.
- Building Strong CommunitiesminorCommunity workforce organization partner supporting Native Sun's initiatives.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Native Sun Community Power Development competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SAGE Development Authority: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's clean energy authority and Native Sun's core co-grantee partner on Electric Nation. Operates wind farm development and EV charging network at Standing Rock—identical mission, same tribal communities, joint $6.7M DOE grant recipient.
- Native Renewables: Native-led nonprofit delivering renewable energy training, solar installations, and energy sovereignty programs to tribal communities in the Southwest. Closest conceptual peer—same indigenous-led model applied to a different geography.
- Inter-Tribal Council on Utility Policy (COUP): Tribal utility consortium coordinating energy planning across multiple tribal nations in the Upper Midwest. Overlaps with Native Sun on intertribal energy coordination and tribal energy sovereignty policy in the same region.
Broad incumbents
- GRID Alternatives: Largest US community solar nonprofit; delivers no-cost rooftop solar and workforce training to low-income and underserved communities. Broader geographic and demographic scope but same nonprofit, community-solar, workforce-development DNA.
- Plug In America: National EV advocacy and education nonprofit that co-sponsors Native Sun's Freedom to Drive events. Operates at national scale rather than tribal-specific, but shares the EV education/community engagement mission.
Emerging players
- Soulardarity: Highland Park (Detroit) community energy nonprofit focused on community-owned solar and equitable energy access. Similar small-team, community-led, energy-justice framing—compares on model, not geography.
Others
- Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA): National nonprofit coordinating state-level clean energy programs, including tribal energy initiatives. Operates as an enabling/intermediary organization rather than direct deployer, but operates in Native Sun's same federal-grant and tribal-energy policy space.
- Vote Solar: State-level solar advocacy nonprofit. Does not deploy infrastructure directly but shares the policy advocacy and clean energy access mission relevant to Native Sun's policy work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Native Sun Community Power Development social profiles
Digital presenceNative Sun Community Power Development financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Native Sun Community Power Development leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Native Sun Community Power Development funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Native Sun Community Power Development M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Native Sun Community Power Development
What does Native Sun Community Power Development do?
Native Sun Community Power Development is a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that deploys clean energy programs to advance energy sovereignty for tribal and rural communities in the Upper Midwest. Its core offerings include the Electric Nation EV charging infrastructure program (122 chargers and 16 tribal fleet vehicles across five states), 8th Fire Solar renewable energy deployment, the Makwa 3 MW solar array, Solar Cub youth education, Green Jobs workforce training, and technical assistance and policy advocacy for tribal nations.
Is Native Sun Community Power Development a public or private company?
Native Sun Community Power Development is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Native Sun Community Power Development founded?
Native Sun Community Power Development was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Native Sun Community Power Development based?
Native Sun Community Power Development is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Native Sun Community Power Development make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are government Grants, foundation Grants and program Services.
Who are Native Sun Community Power Development's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SAGE Development Authority, Native Renewables and Inter-Tribal Council on Utility Policy (COUP). Broad incumbents are GRID Alternatives and Plug In America. Soulardarity is listed as an emerging player. Others are Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) and Vote Solar.
Does Native Sun Community Power Development have an API?
No public API is recorded for Native Sun Community Power Development.
What industry is Native Sun Community Power Development in?
Native Sun Community Power Development's product category is Tribal Clean Energy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMANAL, Land Use, Indigenous & Community Engagement Policy, with a secondary code of EUAMAJAA, Community Solar Development & Subscription Management. Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 4911.