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Nonprofit · EIN 82-0613944

NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS

Also known as NATIFS

Tax-exempt · MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55407

Financials

$1.6M$4.1M2022$3.5M$4M2023$6.3M$1.9M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2024990$6,255,978$1,894,288$4,361,690$8,543,803$1,468,965$7,074,838
June 30, 2024990$3,456,242$4,001,578-$545,336$4,971,548$2,258,400$2,713,148
June 30, 2023990$1,648,068$4,106,527-$2,458,459$3,718,678$460,194$3,258,484
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$6,228,848
of which government grants
$1,065,764
Program service revenue
$173,633
Investment income
$492
Net income from sales of inventory
-$146,995
Other revenue
-$146,995

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$713
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$78,776
Other salaries and wages
$865,756
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$1,139,459
Professional fundraising fees
$133,795
Occupancy
$97,329
Travel
$36,560
Depreciation
$25,295
Program services (functional)
$1,287,594
Management and general (functional)
$374,117
Fundraising (functional)
$232,577

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$4,971,548
Total assets, end of year
$8,543,803
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,468,965
Net assets, end of year
$7,074,838
Land, buildings and equipment
$516,609
Net assets without donor restrictions
$2,531,671
Net assets with donor restrictions
$4,543,167
Gross unrelated business income
$21,394
Gross receipts
$6,859,082
Employees
42
Volunteers
3
Year formed
2015
State of legal domicile
MN

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Sean ShermanPresident/Executive Director
Trustee or director, Officer
40$141,359$16,192
Heather LeachBoard Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Gerald ShermanTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Elizabeth HooverDirector (left 11/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Heather Dawn ThompsonDirector (beg 11/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Jesse DownsDirector (beg 11/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Henry Jake ForemanDirector (beg 11/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Susan MastenDirector (beg 11/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Joseph ShawanaDirector (beg 11/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Tara MaudrieDirector (beg 11/2024)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 4 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Sean ShermanPresident/Executive Director
Trustee or director, Officer
40$156,963$32,056
Heather LeachBoard Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
1$59,204$0
Gerald ShermanTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Elizabeth HooverDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 7 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Dana Thompson ExecutiveDirector (End 12/2022)
Trustee or director, Officer
40$92,400$16,821
Sean Sherman PresidentExecutive Director (Beg 01/2023)
Trustee or director, Officer
40$92,400$15,850
Heather Leach SecretaryBoard Chair (Beg 07/2022)
Trustee or director, Officer
1$2,500$0
Felicia RuizBoard Chair (End 07/2022)
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Gerald ShermanTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Elizabeth HooverDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
John SoshnikDirector (End 04/2023)
Trustee or director
1$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
920 E LAKE ST, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55407-5449
In care of
% NATIFS
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
Sean Sherman, 920 E Lake St 107, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Signed the 990
Sean Sherman, Executive Director
Phone
(612) 208-0625
Return prepared by
Eide Bailly LLP

Mission

To promote Indigenous foodways education and facilitate Indigenous food access.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Program accomplishments

  • Indigenous Food AccessThe Indigenous Food Access program at North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS) has made significant progress in enhancing access to healthy Indigenous foods and building capacity for Tribal kitchens over the past year. 1. Capacity Building for Tribal Kitchens: The program successfully provided technical assistance and resources to 10 Tribal kitchens, analyzing their capacity to improve their operations and expand their offerings. This included training on food safety, menu planning, and sourcing local Indigenous ingredients, as well as comprehensive lists of equipment needed to prepare these foods and links to purchase this equipment. The objective of this initiative is to strengthen the capacity of Tribal kitchens to provide nutritious meals that reflect Indigenous culinary traditions, ultimately promoting food sovereignty within their communities. 2. Community Events and Food Distribution: Over the past year, the program organized 15 community events focused on food access, including harvest festivals and cooking demonstrations. These events attracted around 600 participants, fostering community engagement and awareness of Indigenous food systems. Additionally, the program facilitated the distribution of over 2,000 pounds of locally sourced Indigenous foods to families in need, addressing food insecurity within the community. The long-term goal is to create a sustainable food network that ensures all community members have access to healthy Indigenous foods. 3. Educational Workshops: The program conducted 12 educational workshops aimed at teaching community members about traditional food preparation, foraging, and the nutritional benefits of Indigenous foods. Approximately 180 participants attended these workshops, which emphasized hands-on learning and cultural connection. The objective is to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to reclaim their food heritage and make informed dietary choices that support their health and well-being.Through these accomplishments, the Indigenous Food Access program has effectively advanced NATIFS' mission of promoting food sovereignty, enhancing access to healthy Indigenous foods, and revitalizing cultural practices, ultimately contributing to the health and resilience of Native communities.
    Expenses $946,106 · grants $557 · revenue $2,000
  • Education TeamThe Education team at North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS) has made significant strides in promoting Indigenous foodways education and cultural preservation over the past year. 1. Curriculum Development: The team successfully developed and implemented 15 culturally relevant lesson plans focused on Indigenous food systems, traditional knowledge, and sustainable practices. These materials were created in collaboration with Indigenous knowledge bearers and are now available for public use on our website. The objective of this initiative is to enhance educational resources for Indigenous youth and educators, fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous foodways. 2. Workshops and Training Sessions: Over the past year, the Education team organized over 20 workshops and training sessions, reaching more than 250 participants, including Indigenous youth, community members, and educators. These sessions provided hands-on learning experiences in traditional food preparation, foraging, and cooking techniques. Notably, the team hosted a successful series of workshops, which resulted in a 30% increase in participant engagement compared to the previous year. The long-term goal is to empower participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to reclaim their food heritage and promote food sovereignty within their communities. 3. Partnerships with Educational Institutions: The team established partnerships with educational institutions, integrating Indigenous food systems content into their curricula. This collaboration has resulted in the inclusion of Indigenous food education in at least 5 classrooms, benefiting an estimated 300 students. Additionally, the Education team conducted training sessions for educators to equip them with the tools needed to effectively teach Indigenous foodways. The objective is to create a sustainable model for incorporating Indigenous knowledge into formal education, ensuring that future generations are connected to their cultural heritage.Through these accomplishments, the Education team has effectively advanced NATIFS' mission of promoting Indigenous foodways education, facilitating food access, and revitalizing ancestral knowledge, ultimately contributing to the health and well-being of Native communities.
    Expenses $201,906 · grants $156 · revenue $3,244
  • Expansion of the Indigenous Food LabThe expansion of the Indigenous Food Lab (IFL) in Minneapolis and the establishment of new locations in Montana have yielded significant accomplishments in promoting Indigenous culinary traditions and enhancing food access within Native communities. 1. Objective and Long-Term Goals: The primary objective of expanding the IFL is to enhance access to Indigenous culinary education and resources, empowering individuals to reclaim their food heritage. In the short term, the goal is to provide training and support to at least 500 individuals annually, equipping them with the skills needed to prepare traditional Indigenous foods. The long-term goal is to establish a sustainable network of Indigenous Food Labs across multiple locations, including Montana, that serve as hubs for culinary training, cultural education, and community engagement. This initiative aims to promote food sovereignty and improve overall health and well-being within Native communities. 2. Estimated Impact: While exact figures may vary, it is estimated that the expansion of the IFL will result in a 40% increase in the number of individuals trained in Indigenous culinary practices over the next year. Furthermore, the establishment of a new location in Montana is projected to reach an additional 300 clients annually, significantly broadening the impact of the program. Through these accomplishments, the expansion of the Indigenous Food Lab has effectively advanced NATIFS' mission of promoting Indigenous foodways education, enhancing food access, and revitalizing cultural practices, ultimately contributing to the health and resilience of Native communities.
    Expenses $139,582

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026Not on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024Check at the IRS

IRS record

EIN
82-0613944
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2018
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$8,543,803
Income (IRS master file)
$6,859,082

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2024$6,255,978$1,894,288$8,543,803IRS
990June 2024$3,456,242$4,001,578$4,971,548IRS
990June 2023$1,648,068$4,106,527$3,718,678XML
990June 2022$5,059,277$1,911,083$5,855,990IRS
990June 2021–––IRS
990June 2020–––IRS
990June 2019–––IRS
990-EZJune 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 82-0613944).

Questions about NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS

What is the EIN of NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS?
The employer identification number (EIN) of NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS is 82-0613944.
Is NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2018.
Are donations to NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
Who is the principal officer of NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names Sean Sherman.
Who are the officers and directors of NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 10 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $141,359 (Sean Sherman, President/Executive Director).
How much revenue does NORTH AMERICAN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD SYSTEMS have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $6,255,978, expenses of $1,894,288 and total assets of $8,543,803 at year end.

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