Housing and homeownership within the Fort Belknap Indian Community
Montana Native Growth Fund
Montana Native Growth Fund (MNGF) is a Native-led nonprofit dedicated to fostering economic empowerment for Native communities. It provides affordable loans, financial education, and mentorship to help Native entrepreneurs, families, and businesses build a strong financial future.
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The purpose of this project was to transform MNGF’s existing draft housing reports into complete publications that clearly communicate housing conditions, homeownership demand, and the relationship between housing and economic growth within the Fort Belknap Indian Community. Sweet Grass reviewed and strengthened the existing analysis, ensured available data were fully incorporated, and developed supporting data visualizations.
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Strengthen the existing analysis and narrative.
Ensure available data and findings were fully and accurately represented.
Develop clear data visualizations.
Connect housing and homeownership findings to MNGF’s broader economic development work.
Create both a comprehensive report and concise visual product for different audiences.
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The completed reports gave MNGF credible and publication-ready tools for communicating the need and market for housing, supporting housing and homeownership investment, and guiding lending and homebuyer programming. The work also strengthened MNGF’s ability to engage tribal leadership, funders, and other partners around housing as a shared economic development priority.
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2022
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Andrea Mader — Content collection and data analysis
Jodi Wolfe — Graphic and layout design, creative direction, and data visualization
“I [recently] accompanied Fort Belknap representatives in a plethora of consultations with key federal agencies, congressional delegates, and committee representatives. The report was invaluable and an ideal talking piece and leave-behind”
Tonya Plummer, Montana Native Growth Fund
