“To Give the Acorn”
In 2016, Yocha Dehe established Doyuti T’uhkama to allocate funding under the Tribe’s unprecedented compact negotiated with the State of California, which secured the legal right to redirect a portion of the money the Tribe would otherwise pay the State to a variety of worthy causes. The 2016 Tribal-State Gaming Compact (Sections 4.6 and 5.3) empowers the Tribe to invest up to $24 million per year in initiatives and projects that fall within specific parameters. These funds are commonly referred to as compact credits, and are administered by Doyuti T’uhkama, which is overseen by a Board of Directors appointed by and reporting to the Yocha Dehe Tribal Council, Doyuti T’uhkama means “to give the acorn” in the Tribe’s native Patwin language. Nutrient-rich acorns figured prominently in the lives of generations of California Indians; for the Patwin people, the acorn is a cherished symbol that reflects Yocha Dehe’s commitment to sharing its resources, particularly with those in need.
Current Priority Areas and Geographies
The Doyuti T’uhkama Board of Directors has identified current grantmaking priorities focused on Native cultural resource preservation, Native sovereignty, education, health and wellness, and local infrastructure within Patwin traditional territory.
Amounts
Doyuti T’uhkama grants range from $200,000 to $2,000,000, with larger grants usually reserved for longtime grantee partners and capital campaigns.
Duration
Grant periods are 1-3 years, with annual and semi-annual reports required.
Application Process
Letters of Intent are accepted on an ongoing basis at Yocha Dehe Giving | Sign in (fluxx.io). LOIs are reviewed twice a year by the Doyuti T’uhkama Board in spring and fall. The upcoming fall deadline for Letters of Intent (LOIs) is July 1, 2025.
If the LOI is approved, applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal, including financial details, and schedule a time for an interview or site visit. The deadline for full applications is October 1, 2025, with decisions expected to be delivered in November 2025.
Applications are reviewed on their strategic alignment with Doyuti T’uhkama’s priority areas, the proximity of the applicant’s leadership to the community they are serving, the community need demonstrated, the credibility of the solution proposed to serve that need, a description of how the grant will make a difference in that solution, the financial stability of the applicant to carry out the work, and the clarity of the budget on how funds will be leveraged to make an impact.
Eligibility: Doyuti T’uhkama grants nationwide to Tribes (regardless of federal or state recognition), non-profits with current 501c3 designations, or for-profit businesses carrying out a charitable purposes.
Doyuti T’uhkama also grants within Patwin traditional territory in Yolo, Solano, Colusa, Napa, Lake and Sutter counties to local government agencies, including special districts, schools, and social services.
Restrictions: Doyuti T’uhkama does not grant to individuals, grassroots groups without a fiscal sponsor, for-profit businesses for non-charitable purposes, government agencies outside of Patwin traditional territories, or international NGOs.
Apply for a Grant
• Register to receive a secure login
• Submit a letter of inquiry
• Complete a full application
For new applicants, the first step is to register at Yocha Dehe’s grant application portal.
For returning applicants, please visit Yocha Dehe’s grant application portal and log in using your current username and password to access the grantee portal.
E: giving@yochadehe.gov
T: 530.796.3400