Tanka Fund

What Tanka Fund does

Tanka Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 and headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota. Its core function is to restore buffalo (bison) to Native American lands, livelihoods, and economies by acting as a grantmaker, capacity-builder, and ecosystem coordinator for Native buffalo ranchers. As of 2024, it supports 24 rancher partners across 8 states, managing a network that collectively stewards more than 2,500 buffalo. The organization distributes grants and program services (totaling $937,813 in 2024) and provides technical assistance, training, and market access support to its rancher partners.

Tanka's underlying "technology" is operational rather than digital: it is a relationship-driven, federally and donor-funded grant platform that combines technical assistance, herd management support, and downstream market infrastructure. The acquisition of the Sacred Storm Buffalo processing plant in July 2024 added direct ownership of meat processing capability, extending the organization's reach from capital deployment into physical commodity value capture. Programmatic technology is administrative — donor CRM, grant reporting systems — and no proprietary software, AI, or data platform was identified in the available materials.

Tanka's business model is nonprofit revenue: a mix of direct individual donations (record $256,794 in 2024), federal grants (USDA 2501 Program, prior USDA Climate-Smart Commodities), and quasi-federal/NGO grants (NFWF America the Beautiful Challenge), supplemented by partnerships with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and the Minnesota Zoo. Customer segments are Native American ranchers (programmatic beneficiaries) and institutional plus individual donors (funding sources). Pricing/contract mechanics are grant-based rather than transactional, with go-to-market executed through federal RFP processes, foundation relationships, and direct donor fundraising campaigns.

Name

Tanka Fund

Legal name

Tanka Fund

Website

https://tankafund.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tanka Fund is a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that grants capital and provides technical assistance to Native American buffalo ranchers, supporting 24 partners across 8 states with herd restoration and, as of 2024, meat processing infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Agriculture and Buffalo Restoration Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (115210), Support Activities for Animal Production (11521), Support Activities for Animal Production (1152)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Livestock & Herd/Flock Operations Management Advisory (Nutrition, Housing, Performance) (AFACAJAL), Beef Cattle Production Support Services (Fencing, Water Systems, Range Improvement) (AFAEABAM), Trust Funds & Multi-Donor Pooled Funds (BPADAOAE)

Keywords

• Nonprofit buffalo restoration
• Rancher grantmaking programs
• Indigenous agricultural support
• Conservation nonprofit services
• Native farmer assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Rapid City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tanka Fund operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 82-5315136) that generates revenue primarily through individual and corporate donations. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The organization runs periodic fundraising campaigns including the 'We Are Still Here' campaign and direct mail appeals.
2. Government Grants: Tanka Fund receives grant funding from government agencies including USDA (2501 Program grant for technical assistance to Native American and Native veteran Buffalo ranchers), America the Beautiful Challenge grant from NFWF for Native-led Buffalo land restoration across 6 states, and USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program (up to $5 million over 5 years, though the program was ended in April 2025).
3. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Tanka Fund receives funding from corporate foundations and private philanthropies including Cielo Foundation, ButcherBox, Peace Development Fund, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Fidelity Charitable, Vadon Foundation, Wildseeds Fund, Regenerative Agriculture Foundation, and others. These funders support specific programs like the Returns Fund, video production, and operational capacity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Tanka Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that restores Buffalo to Native American lands, lives, and economies by providing direct grants, Buffalo animals, fencing, equipment, and technical assistance to Native rancher partners. The organization funds and supports private Native American family- and community-owned Buffalo ranches, offers technical training in range management and conservation, and operates complementary programs including the Young Native Leaders Network and the Beef and Bison Commodities climate-smart incentives program.

Product overview

Tanka Fund is a nonprofit organization operating a unified suite of programs focused on restoring Buffalo to Native American lands, lives, and economies. The core offerings include the Buffalo Restoration Program (providing animals and support to Native ranchers), a Grantmaking Program (direct funding for equipment, fencing, and ranch operations), and Technical Assistance and Training (range ecology, land monitoring, water quality testing). Supporting programs include the Young Native Leaders Network (youth development), Tanka Impact Podcast (educational content), and the Beef and Bison Commodities Program (climate-smart incentives). The organization also conducts campaigns like Wóphila Thánka (gratitude campaign) and We Are Still Here (fundraising with merchandise). The 'Bringing the Buffalo Home' video series documents the organization's work across all programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,500 Buffalo returned to Indigenous communities since 2020
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor conservation partnership for buffalo releases to Native lands. The Nature Conservancy provides buffalo animals for release to Tanka Fund rancher partners. This partnership has facilitated the return of hundreds of buffalo to Native caretakers across multiple states.
• Minnesota ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for buffalo reintroduction to Native lands. The Minnesota Zoo provides buffalo animals and conservation biology expertise through a partnership with Tanka Fund and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Conservation biologist Mary Mallinger leads key initiatives.
• Eighth GenerationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Native-owned company to produce wool blankets, based in Seattle, WA. Collaborated with Tanka Fund to create the 'Infinity Journey of the Buffalo' limited edition blanket as a thank-you gift for donors. The blanket features Lakota artist Delaena Uses Knife's design and is made of 100% New Zealand Wool Pile.
• South Dakota State University (SDSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDSU received a 5-year USDA grant in 2023 for the beef and bison commodities program. Tanka Fund is a major partner in this award along with National Bison Association, AgSpire, and Renovo Seeds. The program provides incentives to Buffalo and cattle ranchers for long-term land management practices.
• National Bison Association (NBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the beef and bison commodities program. Executive Director Jim Matheson co-presented with Dawn Sherman at the Texas Bison Association Conference on incentives for sustainable land management practices.
• Sacred Storm BuffalocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTanka Fund and two Native nonprofits acquired the Sacred Storm Buffalo processing plant in Rapid City, SD, officially launching operations in July. The facility supports buffalo processing and workforce development, creating jobs and opportunities for Native youth. Donated meat to Rapid City's Indigenous community through partnership with Oglala Sioux Tribe Food Distribution program.
• Makoce Agriculture DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNative-led organization based on Pine Ridge Reservation dedicated to advancing Indigenous agriculture and food systems. Tanka Fund Board Member Nick Hernandez serves as CEO and President. Current grant partnership involves seed trainings, soil sampling with ranchers, community events, cultural harvests, and team-building efforts.
• Flower Hill InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted roundtable discussion 'Lessons from the Field: Humane Field Harvesting and Processing for Meat and Poultry' with Tanka Fund participation. Provided mental health resources list for ranchers, farmers, and veterans including Farm Aid Hotline and USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.
• Intertribal Buffalo CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Regional Buffalo to Schools Conference. Tanka Fund collaborates with this organization and others to advance buffalo in school meal programs and tribal food sovereignty.
• Intertribal Agriculture CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Regional Buffalo to Schools Conference. Collaborative effort to help school food service staff, administrators, and buffalo producers begin or continue Indigenizing school meal menus with buffalo.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Wildlife Conservation Society: Large wildlife conservation organization with bison restoration programs including herd management at sites like the American Prairie Reserve. Operates at far greater scale but shares the bison restoration mission.
• The Nature Conservancy: Major conservation organization and core Tanka Fund partner that supplies buffalo animals for reintroduction. Operates a vastly broader conservation portfolio but is a direct counterparty in the buffalo restoration supply chain.
• Defenders of Wildlife: National wildlife advocacy organization with active bison policy and co-existence programs. Operates broader wildlife agenda but shares bison recovery as a programmatic priority.

Emerging players

• American Prairie Reserve: Large-scale bison restoration project in Montana building a contiguous prairie wildlife reserve. Operates as a private land-based bison restoration effort at much larger scale, comparable in core mission.
• First Nations Development Institute: Native-led nonprofit investing in food sovereignty and Native agriculture. Partners with Tanka Fund on the Food Sovereignty Summit and Buffalo to Schools Conference, with overlapping mission in Native food systems but a broader programmatic scope.
• Makoce Agriculture Development: Native-led organization on Pine Ridge advancing Indigenous agriculture and food systems. Tanka Fund board secretary Nick Hernandez serves as CEO. Operates as a peer grant-and-program partner rather than a competitor.

Direct peers

• Intertribal Buffalo Council: Native-led nonprofit coordinating buffalo programs across many of the same tribes. ITBC operates at a tribal-government scale while Tanka Fund focuses on private Native family ranches, making them complementary rather than competing in the same niche.
• Native American Agriculture Fund: Major Native-led agricultural grantmaker funded by the Keepseagle settlement. Provides grants across Native agricultural value chains including ranching, making it the closest comparable Native agricultural grantmaker, though it is broader in scope than Tanka Fund's bison focus.
• National Bison Association: Industry trade association for the U.S. bison sector with which Tanka Fund co-presents on climate-smart land management. Represents commercial bison producers broadly, whereas Tanka Fund's scope is limited to private Native family ranches.

Regional players

• Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative: University of Arkansas-based policy initiative supporting tribal food and agriculture governance. Operates in an adjacent Indigenous agriculture niche with policy and research focus rather than direct rancher grantmaking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@tankafund/videos
• Xx.com/TheTankaFund
• Facebookfacebook.com/TankaFund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tankafund

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

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Tanka Fund