Native American Jump Start

Name

Native American Jump Start

Legal name

Native American Jump Start

Website

https://nativeamericanjumpstart.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Educational Funding Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (61171)

akta.pro primary industry

Grantmaking Agencies & Education Program Grants Administration (EDADAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

Keywords

• Native american education grants
• Tribal scholarship programs
• Nonprofit employment grants
• Indigenous student funding
• Tribal community support

Headquarters

HQ city

Jackson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: NAJS accepts donations from individuals through online platforms and mail-in contributions. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donations are tax-deductible. The organization facilitates online giving through secure credit card processing.
2. Foundation Grants: NAJS receives grants from foundations including Wyoming Community Foundation for general operating support and other programmatic grants. These grants support the organization's mission of providing education and employment opportunities to Native Americans.
3. Planned Giving: NAJS facilitates Legacy or Estate Giving, Donor Advised Funds, Stock Awards, Real Estate Donations, and IRA Beneficiary donations as alternative giving options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Native American Jump Start is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides non-repayable financial grants and scholarships to Native American individuals pursuing post-secondary education and employment pathways. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $2,500 for Education and Employment Grants, with the Chipeta Scholars program offering $2,500–$10,000 annually depending on degree level. The organization distributes funding directly to eligible applicants through an online application process and through partnerships with tribal colleges and cultural institutions.

Product overview

Native American Jump Start is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of grant programs and educational support services for Native American individuals. The core offerings include Education Grants and Employment Grants (funding $1,000-$2,500 per award), along with specialized scholarship programs such as the Chipeta Scholarship Fund (up to $10,000 annually for graduate students), Central Wyoming College Partnership Grants ($20,000 annually pool), and Indian University of North America grants. The organization also facilitates cultural programming including the annual Teton Powwow and Native Voices event, and operates an Ambassador Program to engage alumni. All programs share the mission of providing opportunities of growth and success through education and employment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NAJS Education Grants Non-repayable financial assistance grants for Native American students pursuing higher education, covering tuition, books, supplies, technology, housing, transportation, and child care. Funding ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 per grant.
• NAJS Employment Grants Non-repayable financial assistance grants for Native American individuals pursuing employment opportunities, internships, or apprenticeships. Funding ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 for costs including professional clothing, equipment, supplies, tools, and transportation to start a new job or internship.
• Chipeta Scholarship Fund Multi-year scholarship program providing funding for Native American students pursuing higher education. Associates degrees receive $2,500 annually for two years; Bachelors receive $5,000 annually for four years; Masters receive $10,000 annually for two years; PhD/JD/MD receive $10,000 annually for two years. Requires 3.0 GPA maintenance.
• Central Wyoming College Partner Grant Program Partnership with Central Wyoming College providing up to $20,000 annually to support Native American students, including $5,000 for students in any program, $5,000 for the Tribal Leadership program, $5,000 for Jackson campus programs, and $5,000 for the American Indian Studies Program.
• Indian University of North America Grant Program Partnership with the Indian University of North America (IUNA) at Crazy Horse Memorial providing financial assistance to students enrolled in 7th GEN Summer Programs for graduating Native high school students. Students can receive up to $1,000 in funding. NAJS has provided more than $200,000 to support students in these programs since 2015.
• Health Tech Academy Partnership Program Partnership with Health Tech Academy providing no-cost allied healthcare training programs to the Native American community, offering educational and professional skills needed for careers in the healthcare industry.
• The Benz Experience Grants Partnership with The Benz Experience providing grants of up to $1,000 for Native American students attending technical or trade schools and student athletes in NCAA programs.
• NAJS Ambassador Program Alumni engagement program where NAJS alumni help create awareness of NAJS programs, attend events, share programs throughout communities, and inspire future students. First cohort launched with 9-10 alumni ambassadors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 Native American individuals funded with over $1,000,000 in total financial assistance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art ShowcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 June 2026NAJS was selected as an official charity partner of the Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show, a 48-year Santa Fe tradition bringing together 130+ world experts, dealers, and collectors of Native American art. The partnership will expand access to higher education and career development for Native American students and job seekers through fundraising and direct funding support.
• Chipeta Trading CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2024Partnership with Santa Fe-based historic Southwest jewelry company to establish the Chipeta Scholarship Fund administered by NAJS. Provides up to $80,000 annually in funding: up to $5,000 per undergraduate and up to $10,000 for graduate students. The partnership leverages Chipeta's relationships in the Native American Historical Art community.
• Health Tech AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Partnership to provide no-cost allied healthcare training to the Native American community. NAJS supports students enrolled in Health Tech Academy programs with grants for educational and professional skills needed for healthcare industry careers.
• The Benz ExperienceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2024Luxury travel company based in Jackson, Wyoming selected NAJS as its official charity partner. Provides grants for young Native people pursuing technical or trade schools and support for student athletes in NCAA programs. Grants typically provide up to $1,000.
• Grand Teton National Park FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2024NAJS granted $10,000 to support the Foundation's Tribal Youth Engagement initiative in Grand Teton National Park. The program provides opportunities for indigenous youth to connect with ancestral homelands while exposing participants to careers in conservation. Foundation has brought 150+ teens and young adults to the park for experiential programs.
• One Spirit LakotaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership providing young people from Pine Ridge Reservation opportunities to develop work skills through employment in the hospitality industry on the New Hampshire coast.
• Central Wyoming CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Long-standing partnership to co-host the Annual Teton Powwow and present the Native Voices celebration. Expanded partnership includes NAJS providing up to $20,000 annually in scholarships for Native American students at CWC, including programs in Tribal Leadership, Jackson campus, and American Indian Studies.
• Indian University of North America at Crazy Horse MemorialcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Long-standing partnership since 2015 to provide financial assistance to students in IUNA programs, particularly the 7th GEN Summer Program for graduating Native high school students. NAJS has provided more than $200,000 to support students in these programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Indian College Fund: The largest Native American higher-education charity in the U.S., providing scholarships and support to Native students at tribal colleges and mainstream universities. Directly comparable grantmaking mission and donor base, but operates at significantly greater scale with an established endowment and federal funding relationships.
• First Nations Scholarship: Native-led nonprofit providing scholarships, leadership programs, and direct financial support to Native American students. Comparable Native-led scholarship mission and similar grant-size tier.

Emerging players

• National Indian Education Association (NIEA): Advocacy and member-service organization for Native education; complements NAJS's work through policy rather than direct grants. Not a direct competitor but operates in the same ecosystem serving Native American student success.

Direct peers

• Native Forward Scholars (formerly American Indian Scholarship Fund): One of the largest scholarship providers for Native American students, offering undergraduate and graduate awards with multi-year commitments. Comparable scholarship structure and beneficiary population, though at materially larger scale.
• Running Strong for American Indian Youth: 501(c)(3) supporting Native American youth through education, cultural preservation, and community programs since 1986. Highly comparable mission scope combining scholarships, youth programs, and community grants with Native-community partnerships.
• AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society): National nonprofit providing scholarships, internships, and career support to Indigenous STEM students. Directly comparable scholarship-plus-internship model that NAJS also delivers, though AISES is STEM-specialized and has a much larger student-member base.
• Catching the Dream: Native-led scholarship organization awarding grants to Native American students at tribal colleges, four-year universities, and graduate schools. Comparable grant size tier and mission focus, with stronger emphasis on tribal college students.
• American Indian Services: Nonprofit providing scholarships and emergency financial assistance to Native American students pursuing higher education. Closely comparable grantmaking model focused on breaking down financial barriers — same positioning as NAJS.
• American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC): National nonprofit providing fellowships and scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native graduate and undergraduate students. Closest direct peer — same target beneficiary (Native American students pursuing higher education), same grantmaking model, but focused on graduate-level funding.

Others

• Grand Teton National Park Foundation: Existing NAJS partner and philanthropic intermediary that itself administers conservation and tribal youth engagement programs. Relevant as a peer funder and ecosystem collaborator rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nativeamericanjumpstart
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/native-american-jump-start

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Native American Jump Start