Native American Jump Start
About Native American Jump Start
Native American Jump Start helps Native students, interns, and job seekers cover the costs that show up right when opportunity does. That can mean education support, help with work-related start-up expenses, and cultural programming that keeps Native identity and community at the center. More than $1,000,000 in financial assistance has reached over 1,000 Native American individuals, with close to 100 students supported each year.
What sets Native American Jump Start apart is how practical and specific it is. It addresses the exact costs that can stand between a person and school or work, while also supporting cultural awareness programming like the Annual Teton Powwow and Native Voices. Its history grew from internship placements into grants, scholarships, and partnerships that meet Native students and job seekers at different stages.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Education Jump Start Grants
Funding for post-high school education, including certificate programs, trade and technical school, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and other higher education costs.
Employment Jump Start Grants
Funding for prospective employees and interns who have secured a job or internship offer, including support for work-related start-up costs and career preparation.
Cultural Awareness programs
Programs that include the Annual Teton Powwow, Native Voices events, Cultural Awareness training, Independent Financial Training, and First Time Employment Training.
Chipeta Scholarship Fund
A scholarship partnership with Chipeta Trading Company that supports Native students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate education.
Crazy Horse Memorial, Indian University of North America grants
Funding for students accepted into the 7th GEN Summer Program at the Indian University of North America at Crazy Horse Memorial.
Health Tech Academy grants
Support for Native students enrolling in Health Tech Academy programs connected to health and medical career training.
The Benz Experience grants
Support for Native students pursuing trade or technical school opportunities and for student athletes in established NCAA programs.
Central Wyoming College scholarships
Scholarships for Native students attending Central Wyoming College.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
To provide opportunities of growth and success to high potential Native American individuals through education and employment.
Who they serve
High potential Native American individuals, especially students, interns, job seekers, and young professionals pursuing education or employment opportunities.
Their impact
- More than $1,000,000 in financial assistance has been provided to over 1,000 Native American individuals.
- Close to 100 students are supported annually from more than 40 tribal nations across the country.
- Since 2015, more than $200,000 has been provided to support Native students attending the 7th GEN program at Crazy Horse Memorial.
- The 2024 Teton Powwow brought together more than 350 dancers from 50 tribes across 13 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
How your donation helps
- Education grants for tuition, books, fees, technology, school supplies, transportation, parking, and child care.
- Employment grants for professional equipment, technology, work supplies, transportation, parking, child care, clothing, tools, and other start-up costs.
- General operating and administrative costs that support grant delivery.
- Cultural awareness programming, including the Teton Powwow, Native Voices, and related training.
- Scholarships and partner grant programs for Native students.
Our story
Native American Jump Start began after Scott Evans, Pam Evans, Beverly Medhaug, and Cal Medhaug talked about the barriers young Native people faced when they did not have the tools and resources to move forward. The first work focused on summer internships for Native college students, using personal contacts to place four students from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. What started at a kitchen table in Bay City, Texas, later expanded into education and employment grantmaking, received official nonprofit status in 2013, and grew again as demand increased.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Native American Jump Start’s services.
Applicants must be a high school graduate or have a GED, be an enrolled member of a federal or state recognized tribe or show proof of descendancy, and provide proof of acceptance or enrollment for an education grant or a job or internship offer for an employment grant. Applications are submitted online, include short essay questions, and are reviewed by the Grant Review Committee in approximately six weeks.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
“I had the opportunity to receive grant assistance for an internship in 2019. The care they show for interns goes beyond financial support.”
“The Native American Jump Start Grant has been an invaluable catalyst in my academic and professional journey.”
“Native American Jump Start supports both educational and employment opportunities that will have an impact for individuals and native communities.”
“For many students, particularly Native scholars pursuing advanced degrees or professional training, financial barriers can slow or derail progress.”
Events
Teton Powwow
AnnualAn annual powwow and Native American art market that brings together dancers, singers, artists, vendors, and community members.
Native Voices: Honoring Indigenous Ways
AnnualA five-day celebration of Indigenous culture, storytelling, film, art, and living traditions that culminates in the Teton Powwow.
Year-End Contributions and Art Drawings
AnnualA year-end donor campaign that includes a drawing for donated art pieces.
Recognition & press
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What expenses can Education Jump Start Grants cover?
They can help with higher education costs, including tuition, books, fees, technology, school supplies, transportation, parking, and child care.
What expenses can Employment Jump Start Grants cover?
They can help with work-related start-up costs like professional equipment, technology, work supplies, transportation, parking, child care, clothing, and tools.
Who can apply for NAJS funding?
Applicants need to be a high school graduate or have a GED, and they must be an enrolled member of a federal or state recognized tribe or show proof of descendancy.
How long does the application review process take?
The Grant Review Committee process usually takes about six weeks.
What makes the organization’s programming broader than grants alone?
It also includes cultural awareness programming, like the Annual Teton Powwow, Native Voices events, and cultural awareness training.
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