September 19, 2025
Earlier this week, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Community Fund at the annual Partners in Philanthropy Luncheon, honoring three grantees whose work embodies the values of stewardship, reciprocity and community care that guide the Tribe’s giving.
According to a local press release, for the first time, this year’s milestone event also highlighted the growing impact of the Doyuti T’uhkama Fund, which — together with the Community Fund — reflects the Tribe’s deepening investment in programs and partnerships that strengthen communities across California and beyond.
The luncheon embraced the theme “Generosity Through Generations,” honoring the enduring legacy of Yocha Dehe’s philanthropy and the timeless Patwin traditions of sharing resources, protecting the land, and caring for one another.
Together, the Community Fund and Doyuti T’uhkama Fund have invested more than $236 million in over 500 organizations working to uplift lives, protect the environment, and foster equity across generations. Established in 2000, the Community Fund continues to support education, healthcare, cultural preservation, and essential services, while the Doyuti T’uhkama Fund — created in 2016 through an unprecedented compact with the State of California — expands the Tribe’s ability to invest in projects that advance equity, opportunity, and resilience.
“For 25 years, Yocha Dehe has been committed to helping children, families, and communities thrive across our ancestral lands and beyond,” said Anthony Roberts, tribal chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. “Today, we celebrate the incredible organizations working alongside us, whose dedication and compassion reflect the values of our people. These partnerships are at the heart of our mission and represent the lasting impact we can create when we come together.”
Honoring the 2025 Award Recipients
This year, the Tribe recognized three partners whose contributions exemplify leadership, innovation and service:
• American Indian College Fund — Recipient of the Tahtimihn Award (tahtimihn means the star in the Tribe’s native Patwin language), honoring a grantee whose work shines brightly in advancing Native education and empowering communities. Since 1989, the College Fund has provided over $86 million in scholarships and $80 million in direct support to 34 Tribal Colleges and Universities, ensuring students have access to knowledge, skills, and cultural values that strengthen Native communities and enrich the nation.
• California Indian Legal Services — Honored for its decades-long dedication to protecting Tribal sovereignty, advancing Native rights, and strengthening Tribal governance. Established in 1967, CILS is one of the nation’s oldest nonprofit law firms serving Native peoples, providing free and low-cost legal services to Tribal governments, organizations, and individuals across California while leading landmark cases that continue to shape Native rights today.
• Robinson Rancheria Environmental Center — Recognized for its leadership in environmental stewardship and cultural preservation. As part of the Robinson Rancheria Pomo Indians, the Environmental Center manages holistic programs focused on protecting natural resources, promoting sustainability, and supporting intertribal collaboration. From monitoring native fisheries in Clear Lake to leading the Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma Tribal Environmental Program, the Center carries forward the Tribe’s enduring commitment to caring for ancestral lands and waters.