National Resouce Council FAQs

Who is the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development?

The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is a non-profit 501 (C) 3 corporation. With nearly 40 years of assisting Indian enterprises and tribes with their business and economic development we have evolved into the largest national, non-profit, Indian specific business organization in the nation. We take our motto seriously “We Mean Business for American Indians”

What is the mission of NCAIED?

Develop and expand an American Indian private sector which employs Indian labor, increases the number of viable tribal and individual Indian businesses, and positively impacts and involves reservation communities, by establishing business relationships between Indian enterprises and private industry

How does the NCAIED fulfill its mission?

1. Supply Management & Technical Assistance to Tribal & individually owned Indian businesses nationwide
2. Serve as a “resource center” for native entrepreneurs
3. Produce conferences, trade fairs & fundraising events that benefit Indian Country
4. Advocate for American Indian, Alaska Native & Hawaiian Native business development

What are the numbers for NCAIED?

• Nine offices nationwide
• 37 years in existence
• Stable organization of nearly four (4) decades
• 56 employees
• 1,400 clients
• Procure $500M annually for clients annually
• Maintain an extensive contact database of over 31,000 records
• Worked with 80% of tribes
• Produce 5 annual signature events

What is the National Resource Council?

The National Resource Council is comprised of forty two (42) member corporations, of which thirty (30) are Fortune 500 companies. These organizations are committed to helping promote business opportunities for American Indians and tribes. A council member is a professional that represents their respective corporation and commits time, effort and resources to facilitate our mission to develop the American Indian private sector. Council members possess skills, industry contacts, resources and dedication to facilitate NCAIED’s goals.

Who are the current National Resource Council members?

Current National Resource Council members represent some of the largest national and international companies across many industries. Representative companies include the following:

What are the benefits of becoming a National Resource Council member?

There are numerous benefits to becoming a National Resource Council member. Primary benefits include:

• Exclusive web-based access to qualified, capable Indian business as vendors, suppliers or subcontracts
• Partnering with the only national non-profit Indian specific business development organization in the country that is Indian community owned & operated
• We support, develop & maintain mutually beneficial relationships between the American Indian community and our Resource Council members
• Referrals & business development opportunities for your organization
• Help reduce your overall minority outreach cost
• Public recognition & speaking opportunities @ sponsored events
• Publicity on successful Resource Council impacts on Indian communities
• Participation in our joint Board of Directors/National Resource Council meetings. Members meet national Indian leaders.
• Company name on National Center letterhead & website as Resource Council Member
• Access to information & company highlighted information in NCAIED quarterly newsletter
• Assistance in understanding tribal governments, Indian contracting incentives & American Indian culture

What are the criteria to become a National Resource Council member?

National Resource Council members are selected by and invited to join the council by the National Center’s Executive Management Committee. Only companies that demonstrate a sincere commitment to diversity and integrate this concept into their business model will be invited to join this elite group of organizations.

What are my responsibilities as a National Resource Council member?

To qualify as a National Resource Council member a company must be willing to:

• Participate at our semiannual National Resource Council meetings
• Contribute time and resources to development of the American Indian private sector.
• Encourage the use of American Indian suppliers to your company and others in your industry
• Provide annual financial support

When are the semiannual National Resource Council meetings held?

The semiannual meetings are held in September in conjunction with the Indian Progress in Business (INPRO) dinner banquet and in March in conjunction with the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) & American Indian Business Trade Fair. Local and/or regional meetings will be held as the need arises.

What is the expected level of annual financial support?

Most of our National Resource Council members elect the National Annual Sponsorship Package as their minimum support level. The $25,000 package includes:

• Gold level sponsorship at the National Reservation Economic Summit (RES) & American Indian Business Trade Fair
• A premium table at our three fundraising banquets
• Silver level sponsorship at our golf tournament
• Access to qualified American Indian businesses

This allows companies the ease of issuing one check that covers their sponsorships for a full year. Details of the benefits accruing to each sponsored event will be provided under separate cover. Please note that regional and customized sponsorship packages are available upon request.

What “time and resources” are also contributed?

There is a multitude of ways that National Resource Council members contribute to our mission in addition to monetary support. These include:

• Providing In Kind contributions e.g. printing and postage for event mailers, office space, technology equipment, etc.
• Providing executive level management to assist with strategic planning, fund-raising activities and operational management
• Serving on event planning committees
• Being moderators or speakers @ NCAIED events
• Conducting Indian vendor outreach sessions in conjunction with NCAIED
• Providing various types of training for NCAIED staff and our clients
• Relationship building with other companies that could support NCAIED

How do I become a National Resource Council member?

If you are interested in becoming a National Resource Council member, and playing a significant role in Indian Country, please contact Scott Gregory.

Scott Gregory
Vice President Strategic Growth
National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
953 East Juanita Avenue
Mesa, AZ 85204

480-545-1298 ext 231 or scott.gregory@ncaied.org