Wolankeyutomone Kisi Apaciyewik Fund
About the Fund
The Wolankeyutomone Kisi Apaciyewik ("let us take good care of what has been returned") Fund is a Wabanaki-led participatory grant making program that provides unrestricted, general operating support to Wabanaki tribal governments, Wabanaki NGOs, and Wabanaki citizens. Grants from the fund are flexible 1-2 year awards based on the needs of the grantee.
The Fund seeks to repair, rebuild, and sustain Wabanaki relationship, kinship, and access to place by directly helping Wabanaki people and institutions to fulfill their care-taking responsibilities of lands and waters across Wabanaki Traditional Territory in what is now known as Maine.
Eligibility
- Wabanaki Tribal Government: any of the five federally recognized tribal governments in what is currently known as Maine.
- Wabanaki NGO: a non-governmental organization or non-profit organization with a majority of Wabanaki individuals that make up the board of directors, staff leadership, and community organizers (greater than 50% combined).
- Wabanaki Individual: a citizen of one of the five federally recognized Wabanaki tribal governments in what is now known as Maine (proof of citizenship required).
Funding Focus Areas
The Commission is committed to funding people and organizations who do the following:
- Build involvement around land and culture, and bring elders and community members together around traditional uses of land and stewardship
- Create opportunities around cultural healing and Wabanaki connections to land
- Support Wabanaki access to places using appropriate access-building strategies (e.g. policy work, knowledge sharing, education about current opportunities)
- Help Wabanaki people who want to make their livelihoods through relationship with land (such as through guiding, canoeing, harvesting, hunting, etc.)
- Incorporate tribal language education in land stewardship activities
- Recognize the importance of our spiritual relations with one another, places connected to our ancestors and their activities, and our non-human relations
2026 Application Period
Applications Open
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Application Deadline
Friday, January 30, 2026 by 11:59PM
Decision Notification
The end of April 2026
Submission Formats
Applications may be submitted in one of the following ways:
- Google Form: Use the Google Form linked below. Please note your progress can only be saved if you are logged into a Google account. We recommend drafting your responses in a working document and pasting your answers into the form fields when you submit. Note: All supporting documentation, including proof of tribal citizenship, that is not included in the Google Form need to be sent to apply@dawnlandreturn.org.
- Fillable PDF: Using the fillable PDF linked below. PDF documents must be emailed back to apply@dawnlandreturn.org. A confirmation email will be provided when your email is received.
- Zoom Call: Schedule a Zoom call with the Collaborative Fund Manager using the contact info below to record your responses via video.
Questions About the Application
Feel free to review our FAQs for Applicants page or contact the Collaborative Fund Manager using the information below for additional support.
Keep in mind that most of our applications are received the day of the deadline. Responses the day of and the day before this date will be slower as she works with applicants through general questions and technical issues. We recommend giving yourself at least a week before the deadline for any last-minute questions to ensure a timely response for your submission.
Contact Information
Frances Soctomah (Passamaquoddy)
Collaborative Fund Manager
fsoctomah@dawnlandreturn.org
(207) 404-6660
Access the Application
Click a button below to access your preferred version of the application. Please note, this year there are separate PDF documents for organizations and individuals. The Google Form will continue to accept submissions from all types of applicants.
Download Request for Proposals Download the Application for Organizations Download the Application for Individuals Access the Google Form