Meet the Team Behind: Hopa Mountain

Hopa Mountain works with tribal communities in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains to improve education, economic development, and ecological sustainability. Their unique model invests in civilian leaders and utilizes the nature-driven skillset of the people they serve. Learn more here!

Can you tell me about the need for your work?

The possibilities for economic, environmental, and social health in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Great Plains lie in the strength of the people, especially in their relationships with each other and the lands they love. There are leaders in every community, and we acknowledge the skills, talents, and positions of these local leaders to provide them with the means to generate opportunities in their communities. Through training, networking, mentoring, and financial support, citizen leaders can transform rural and tribal areas into thriving communities. 

What do your programs entail?

Indigenous Scholars of Promise is a college prep program for high-achieving Native American high school students. Our Native Nonprofit Leadership Program enhances the capacities of experienced and emerging Native-led nonprofits. We have mentorship programs for minority students who are interested in the medical field, a fellowship for Native American students to participate in community-based science organizations, and have food pantries that provide locally grown food to families. 

Why do you focus on citizen leaders?

Hope Mountain invests in rural and tribal citizen leaders working primarily in the areas of early childhood education, science education, service-based learning, ecological and human health, and nonprofit development. Citizen leaders know their community’s people, values, beliefs, languages, and ethnic characteristics. Given adequate resources, they can provide meaningful services more efficiently than the outside professionals. We recognize the critical role local citizen leaders play in nurturing healthy, vibrant communities. These leaders are a particularly concentrated form of social capital who can be effective agents of positive change. 

What kind of partnerships do you have?

Our Strengthening the Circle Funders Group is a funder-to-funder learning circle that is committed to learning more about Native-led nonprofits, respectfully building peer-to-peer relationships with Native nonprofit leaders, and funding their work as there is a match with each funder’s mission. Collin’s Coalition is our partner who is committed to improving the safety of bicycle and pedestrian transportation as an essential part of healthy communities.