MESA, AZ – The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (the National Center) was recently awarded a $500,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to expand the organization’s highly successful Native Edge Institutes. The grant, which is part of Wells Fargo’s 5-year, $50 million commitment to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, will be used to help facilitate Native Edge Institutes (NEIs) in four states:  Alaska, Arizona, California, and Nevada.

NEIs are one-day, intensive training sessions primarily focused on government and small business procurement and contracting, with a special focus on technology. Since the program began in 2018, the National Center has hosted eight NEIs across the country, with the most recent taking place in New York and Maine.

“Wells Fargo continues to be one of our closest partners,” said Chris James, President and CEO of the National Center. “We are excited about what this new funding will mean for both our organization and our growing Native Edge Institutes and the entrepreneurs who utilize this programming. I look forward to working with Wells Fargo as the company expands its already substantial investment in and support for Indian Country.”

Wells Fargo has committed $50 million over the next five years to help address the economic, social, and environmental needs of American Indian/Alaska Native communities. The company will expand philanthropy programs, work to improve products and services that meet the financial and banking needs of American Indian/Alaska Native communities, award grants to national nonprofits serving these communities, and help create a greater awareness of their culture, history, and contributions.