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Microenterprise Development - Empowering Native Entrepreneurs, Strengthening Tribal Futures.

Over the last 40 years, Running Strong for American Indian Youth has played a transformative role in building tribal community economies and empowering Native entrepreneurs across the U.S. Through a combination of microenterprise development, youth entrepreneurship programs, and community food and business initiatives, the organization has created measurable economic and social impact.

Cultivating Native Entrepreneurs

We have supported 10 Native youth through grants and mentorship to bring their community-centered business and innovation ideas to life.
Many of these projects have grown into lasting small enterprises:
  • Joshua Smith (Osage Nation) founded Ekowah Coffee, a Native-owned roastery reinvesting profits in tribal education and hunger relief. Smith later co-developed Running Strong’s Microenterprise Development Program (MDP) to scale Native small business support.
  • David Fraser (Oglala Lakota) launched Dave’s Tire & Repair Shop on Pine Ridge Reservation—the first locally owned shop of its kind, meeting a critical service gap and generating steady local employment.
  • Hope Gamble (Navajo Nation) designed, published and sold comics about Navajo creation stories, generating income, strengthening her community’s cultural connection and encouraging inspiring young artists. 
Learn more

Microenterprise Development Program 

Launched in 2022 in collaboration with Dreamstarter Joshua Smith (Osage Nation), the Microenterprise Development Program transformed Running Strong’s economic impact  by providing interest-free $5,000 microloans, mentorship, and business training for emerging Native-owned small businesses in rural and reservation-based communities.
  • 26 Native-owned microbusinesses launched or expanded on the Osage, Pine Ridge, Crow, and Hoopa Valley reservations between 2022–2025.
  • Empowered Native entrepreneurs to build self-sustaining businesses.
  • Support for sectors including food service, construction, arts, beauty, and trades.
  • Provided mentorship and microfinance infrastructure for future Native business leaders.
  • Increased local employment, circulating income, and community-based philanthropy, seeing small, local businesses contributing to tribal economies and strengthening tribal communities.
Native Small Businesses
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Over 40 years, Running Strong’s small business and economic initiatives have:
  • Generated hundreds of jobs across tribal communities.
  • Centered on an education-to-employment pipelines through Dreamstarter Entrepreneurship Initiatives.
  • Enabled millions in local economic activity through small business operations, produce sales, and reinvestment.
  • Fostered Native-led models of economic sovereignty, where profits, decision-making, and community benefits remain within the tribe
  • Proven that cultural values and entrepreneurship can coexist as powerful engines of tribal prosperity.