What Cherokee Preservation Foundation does

Cherokee Preservation Foundation is an independent nonprofit grantmaking foundation established as part of the Second Amendment to the Tribal-State Compact between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the State of North Carolina. The foundation is funded by gaming revenues generated by the Tribe and is not associated with any for-profit gaming entity. Its mission is to preserve Cherokee native culture, protect and enhance the natural environment, and create appropriate and diverse economic opportunities for the EBCI and its neighbors in western North Carolina.

The foundation operates a portfolio of interconnected programs organized across four strategic pillars: Cultural Preservation (Cherokee language revitalization, Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources, cultural tourism); Environmental Preservation (Generations Qualla energy efficiency initiative, Native Electric Project with six electric school buses); Economic Development (Sequoyah Fund CDFI small business lending, WNC EdNet broadband network connecting 60 educational sites, downtown revitalization, entrepreneurship training); and Leadership Development (Cherokee Youth Council, Jones-Bowman Leadership Award, The Right Path adult leadership program, Costa Rica Eco-Study Tour). Grant applications are accepted semi-annually with hard-copy submissions to the foundation office in Cherokee, North Carolina.

The business model is grantmaking funded by recurring gaming revenue streams rather than commercial product or service sales. The foundation has cumulatively awarded more than $424 million across its programs, including $54+ million in Cultural Preservation, $46+ million in Economic Development, $10+ million in Environmental Preservation, and $314+ million in leveraged funding. A 6-person staff oversees the foundation's operations, partnering with a broad ecosystem of regional colleges, tribal programs, federal and state funders, and grantee nonprofits across the Qualla Boundary and seven surrounding western North Carolina counties.

Name

Cherokee Preservation Foundation

Legal name

Cherokee Preservation Foundation

Website

https://cherokeepreservation.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Cherokee Preservation Foundation is an independent nonprofit grantmaking organization funded by EBCI gaming revenues, awarding grants to preserve Cherokee culture, support environmental sustainability, and drive economic development for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and western North Carolina.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cherokee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Gaming Revenue Funding: The Foundation was established as part of the Second Amendment to the Tribal-State Compact between the EBCI and the State of North Carolina. It is an independent nonprofit foundation funded by gaming revenues generated by the Tribe. It is not associated with any for-profit gaming entity.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cherokee Preservation Foundation is an independent nonprofit grantmaking foundation that awards grants and operates programs across four pillars: Cultural Preservation, Environmental Preservation, Economic Development, and Leadership Development. It funds language revitalization, traditional artisan resources, energy efficiency, entrepreneurship and CDFI lending, broadband connectivity, downtown revitalization, electric transportation, youth councils, scholarships, and adult leadership programs for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and western North Carolina.

Product overview

The Cherokee Preservation Foundation is a nonprofit grant-making organization operating multiple interconnected programs across four strategic pillars: Cultural Preservation (Cherokee Language Revitalization, RTCAR artisan resources, Cultural Tourism), Environmental Preservation (Generations Qualla, Native Electric Project), Economic Development (Sequoyah Fund CDFI, WNC EdNet broadband, Downtown Revitalization, Entrepreneurship), and Leadership Development (Cherokee Youth Council, Jones-Bowman Leadership Award, The Right Path, Costa Rica Eco-Study Tour, Cherokee Day of Caring). The Foundation has awarded over $314 million in leveraged funding, with $54+ million in Cultural Preservation, $46+ million in Economic Development, and $10+ million in Environmental Preservation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cherokee Language Revitalization A multi-faceted Cherokee language preservation initiative investing over $4.5 million that supports the Kituwah Preservation and Education Program, total immersion programs for children, post-secondary degree programs at Western Carolina University, and community-based Cherokee language learning for adults on the Qualla Boundary.
• Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources (RTCAR) A grantmaking initiative that assists the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in restoring traditional Cherokee balance between maintaining and using natural resources like river cane, white oak, and clay for traditional artisan crafts.
• Generations Qualla An environmental action plan focusing on energy efficiency, conservation, recycling, and sustainable development on the Qualla Boundary, reflecting traditional Cherokee values of land stewardship and targeting a 30% long-term energy use reduction across 20 tribal buildings and two streetlight projects.
• Native Electric Project A sustainable transportation initiative led by Cherokee Boys Club that has acquired six electric Thomas Built buses powered by solar arrays, saving 13,080 gallons of diesel fuel and preventing 250,000 pounds of CO2 emissions as of March 2024.
• Sequoyah Fund CDFI Loans

Quantifiable outcome

• 919 jobs created on the Qualla Boundary through Sequoyah Fund lending
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

45 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Cherokee Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Foundation helped establish the Chamber in 2006 so local businesses could unite and develop new avenues of promotion. The Foundation also funds Cherokee Friends program.
• Community Foundation of Western North CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Partnered in 2005 to establish WNC Nonprofit Pathways to sharpen skills of regional nonprofit leaders and strengthen the sector across 18 western counties.
• Mission Healthcare FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Co-founder of WNC Nonprofit Pathways initiative for nonprofit capacity building.
• United Way of Asheville and Buncombe CountysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Co-founder of WNC Nonprofit Pathways initiative for nonprofit capacity building.
• EARTH University (Costa Rica)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Partnership with EBCI Cooperative Extension Program developed cross-cultural eco-study program. Students visit indigenous communities and learn sustainable environment practices.
• Sequoyah FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation helped the Tribe's community development corporation become a community financial development institution (CDFI). The Foundation has provided over $5.2 million in grants to Sequoyah Fund to make low-interest loans to tribal members. Sequoyah Fund has leveraged this to lend over $12 million and create 919 jobs. They also collaborate on entrepreneurship training programs.
• North Carolina Cooperative ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTCAR operates through the North Carolina Cooperative Extension program to assist the EBCI in restoring traditional Cherokee balance between maintaining and using natural resources like river cane, white oak, and clay for artisan crafts.
• Kituwah Preservation and Education Program (KPEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2005, the Foundation provided the first significant investment for KPEP to develop a 10-year plan for Cherokee language revitalization. The partnership has created immersion programs, teacher training, and community-based language learning.
• Western Carolina UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to create a post-secondary degree program for future certified elementary education teachers of Cherokee language. WCU also administers the Right Path and Coulter Regional Leadership programs created by the Foundation.
• Museum of the Cherokee IndiansecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides community-based language programs for children and adults on the Qualla Boundary who want to learn Cherokee as a second language.
• Western Region Educational Services Alliance (WRESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with WRESA to build WNC EdNet broadband network connecting 60 educational sites. WRESA also presents annual Technology in the Classroom conferences with Foundation funding.
• Business and Education Technology AlliancesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in WNC EdNet broadband initiative for western North Carolina schools.
• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides business counseling to prospective tribal entrepreneurs receiving loans from Sequoyah Fund.
• Small Business & Technology Development Center at Western Carolina UniversitysecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides business development expertise and counseling for tribal entrepreneurs.
• ONABEN (Oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped the Indianpreneurship program used alongside North Carolina REAL for entrepreneurship training.
• Cherokee Enterprise Development CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Sequoyah Fund and Foundation in entrepreneurship development efforts on the Qualla Boundary.
• Cherokee Business Development CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides business development counseling and support for entrepreneurs on the Qualla Boundary.
• EBCI Planning and Development OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Foundation on downtown revitalization efforts to create more traditional village appearance with facade renovations, pedestrian walkways, and authentic Cherokee structures.
• NC Grant MakerssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional network of grantmaking organizations that the Foundation participates in.
• Blue Ridge HeritagesecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional heritage tourism partner organization.
• Council on FoundationssecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerNational membership organization for foundations that the Foundation participates in.
• Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at NC StatesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner organization focused on emerging issues and economic development.
• Southeastern Council of Foundations (SECF)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional philanthropy association for foundations in the southeastern United States.
• Cherokee Central SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for integrating entrepreneurial concepts into elementary, middle and high school curricula. Teachers have received REAL training and students participate in business plan competitions.
• Right Path Advisory CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory council composed of community professionals and Right Path alumni that determines participant selection for the 12-month leadership program.
• Museum of the Cherokee IndiancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four principal cultural attractions. Foundation grants help develop business plans, improve programming, upgrade facilities, and develop staff.
• Qualla Arts & Crafts MutualcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal cultural attraction. Foundation support helps improve and expand culturally authentic programming and improve marketing capacity.
• Oconaluftee Indian VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal cultural attraction operated by Cherokee Historical Association. Foundation grants support facility improvements and programming enhancements.
• Cherokee Historical AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Oconaluftee Indian Village and Unto These Hills drama. Foundation supports business planning, facility upgrades, and programming improvements.
• EBCI Marketing and Promotion DepartmentsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in culture-based marketing campaign to attract visitors seeking authentic Cherokee cultural experiences.
• Sequoyah National Golf ClubsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in cultural tourism marketing efforts coordinated through Greater Cherokee Tourism Council.
• EBCI TransitsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in tourism marketing and infrastructure improvements for visitor transportation.
• EBCI Fish & GamesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in tourism marketing efforts through Greater Cherokee Tourism Council.
• Greater Cherokee Tourism CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of tourism organizations formed to improve marketing capacity through Cherokee Marketing College and coordinate festival funding.
• United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational youth organization where Cherokee Youth Council members serve on national board and represent Southeast Area Caucus.
• Seven Clans Grant CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth-written grant council supported by Cherokee Youth Council with Foundation funding. Accepts youth grant applications for youth-led projects addressing drug/alcohol addiction, suicide, disease, poverty, and abuse.
• Leading to Change, Inc.secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPart of North Carolina Youth Giving Network, provides training and technical assistance to Seven Clans Grant Council.
• Ray Kinsland Leadership InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of Cherokee Boys Club funded by Foundation. Offers culturally based leadership programming through four programs: Cherokee Youth Council, Youth Cultural Exchange, Jones-Bowman Leadership Award, and Right Path Adult Leadership.
• Cherokee Boys ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead organization for Native Electric Project. Manages Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute. Foundation provides funding support for both initiatives.
• Carolina Thomas (Bus manufacturer)secondaryTechnology or IntegrationBus manufacturer supplying Thomas Built electric buses for the Native Electric Project.
• Land of Sky Clean Vehicles CoalitionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Native Electric Project supporting sustainable transportation initiatives.
• NC Clean Energy Technology CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Native Electric Project for electric school bus initiative.
• NC State's Carolinas Collaborative on Climate, Health, and EquitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Native Electric Project supporting climate resilience initiatives.
• Critical Services Microgrid GroupsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting microgrid development as part of phase four of Native Electric Project.
• EBCI Air Quality ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEBCI program working with Cherokee Boys Club to initiate and expand electric school bus initiative with focus on environmental sustainability.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Appalachian Regional Commission: Federal funding partner to Cherokee Preservation Foundation for broadband and rural economic development in western NC; comparable as a regional economic catalyst with overlapping Appalachian geography.
• Meyer Memorial Trust: Independent regional foundation with comparable multi-pillar grantmaking model across equity, education, and community — useful analog for foundation governance and program structure rather than mission alignment.

Emerging players

• National Indian Education Association: National organization advancing indigenous education policy and programs, with overlapping interest in EBCI language and youth education investments funded by Cherokee Preservation Foundation.
• American Indian College Fund: National nonprofit providing scholarships and support to tribal college students, with overlapping focus on EBCI-adjacent educational pathways like the WCU Cherokee language teacher program.

Direct peers

• Community Foundation of Western North Carolina: Regional community foundation serving the same 18-county western North Carolina footprint. Co-founded WNC Nonprofit Pathways with Cherokee Preservation Foundation, indicating directly overlapping grantee networks and regional scope.
• Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC): A federally recognized tribal community in Minnesota that similarly directs gaming revenue toward tribal programs in cultural preservation, education, health, and community development. Most comparable peer given parallel gaming-funded foundation structure serving a single tribal community.
• NDN Collective: Indigenous-led organization providing grantmaking, advocacy, and capacity building for tribal communities across climate, cultural preservation, and community development — directly comparable programmatic pillars.
• Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples: Native-led grantmaking organization funding Indigenous communities for cultural preservation, language revitalization, and environmental stewardship. Directly comparable grantmaking mission across cultural and environmental pillars.
• First Nations Development Institute: Native-led nonprofit that strengthens American Indian economies and communities through grantmaking, capacity building, and direct program investments in cultural and economic preservation. Highly comparable grantmaking mission for indigenous communities.
• Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Foundation: Tribal community with gaming-funded cultural preservation and museum operations. Shares the gaming-revenue-funded cultural preservation and education model serving a single tribal nation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cpfdn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cherokee Preservation Foundation