Form 990 for tax year 2023

Totals

Total revenue

$3,579,408

Total expenses

$3,293,714

Contributions and grants received

$1,721,039

Grants paid

$1,500,111

Program service revenue

$1,823,590

Investment income

$28,370

Other revenue

$6,409

Total assets, end of year

$2,003,529

Total liabilities, end of year

$731,093

Net assets or fund balances, end of year

$1,272,436

Program services expenses (Part IX)

$2,932,395

Management and general expenses

$306,266

Fundraising expenses

$55,053

Program service expenses (Part III)

$2,932,395

Program services were 89.0% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Mission and programs · 2023

• PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT -- AIANTA'S PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FACILITATES STRONG WORKING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN NATIVE NATIONS AND COMMUNITIES, FEDERAL AGENCIES, DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN ADDRESSING HOSPITALITY-RELATED ISSUES AND FACILITATING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AMONG THOSE ORGANIZATIONS. THE PROGRAM IDENTIFIES POTENTIAL PARTNERS WITH COMMON GOALS AND VALUES THAT WILL BENEFIT FROM THE ADVICE AND SKILLS OF ALL PARTNERS. AIANTA WORKS WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES, DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS AND NATIONAL NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATIONS TO BUILD PUBLIC AWARENESS OF TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES ON TRIBAL AND FEDERAL LANDS, WHICH IN TURN PRODUCES ECONOMIC BENEFITS WHILE PROVIDING NATIVE NATIONS AND COMMUNITIES WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO PERPETUATE THEIR CULTURE, HERITAGE, LANGUAGE AND CULINARY OFFERINGS.

  Expenses $1,949,439 · Grants $1,455,485 · Revenue $1,574,918

• TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING -- AIANTA WORKS WITH THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, BUSINESSES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, TRIBAL PARTNERS, NON- PROFITS, NATIVE ORGANIZATIONS AND STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY AND DELIVER RESPONSIVE AND RELEVANT EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT. OUR TAILORED AND PARTNERSHIP-DRIVEN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE THE KEY TO OUR SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH AND ENHANCEMENT OF INDIGENOUS TOURISM PRODUCTS. OUR PROGRAMMING INCLUDES THE AMERICAN INDIGENOUS TOURISM CONFERENCE (AITC); INTERNATIONAL MARKET READINESS TRAINING - GO INTERNATIONAL; CULTURAL HERITAGE TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS; OUTREACH, RESOURCES, ASSESSMENT TOOLS AND BREAKING NEWS; PARTNER-BASED WEBINAR INSTRUCTION; INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. AIANTA ALSO PROVIDES INDUSTRY TRAINING THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THEIR WEBINARS AND CONFERENCES. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE A CRITICAL ACCESS POINT FOR EXPANDING THE INDIGENOUS TOURISM KNOWLEDGE BASE AND EXPERTISE IN U.S. NATIVE NATIONS AND COMMUNITIES.

  Expenses $337,987 · Grants $44,626 · Revenue $248,672

• TRIBAL RELATIONS AND OUTREACH -- THE TRIBAL RELATIONS AND OUTREACH PROGRAM CONDUCTS DIRECT OUTREACH TO TRIBES AND NATIVE-OWNED BUSINESSES TO IDENTIFY CAPACITY AND TRAINING NEEDS AND TO INCREASE THE CONTENT ON AIANTA'S CONSUMER WEBSITE, NATIVEAMERICA.TRAVEL (CONSUMER-FACING DESTINATION WEBSITE DEDICATED TO INDIGENOUS TOURISM) AND AIANTA'S PROPRIETARY DATABASE. THE TRIBAL RELATIONS AND OUTREACH PROGRAM INTRODUCES AIANTA RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS TO TRIBES, NATIVE-OWNED TOURISM BUSINESSES AND PARTNERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREAS OF PLANNING AND FUNDING FOR CULTURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT. DURING INTERVIEWS, THE TEAM GATHERS INFORMATION ABOUT INDIGENOUS TOURISM ATTRACTIONS AND ENCOURAGES FUTURE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT. THE PROGRAM CULTIVATES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ESTABLISHING/MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIGENOUS TRAVEL, TOURISM AND RECREATION STAFF; TOURISM INDUSTRY LEADERS; FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES; EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS; MUSEUM PROFESSIONALS; HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICERS; ARTISTS AND ENTREPRENEURS. THE NATIVEAMERICA.TRAVEL WEBSITE PROVIDES INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION TO TRAVEL TRADE PROFESSIONALS AND INDIVIDUAL TRAVELERS TO ASSIST THEM IN LOCATING AUTHENTIC CULTURAL HERITAGE AND INDIGENOUS TOURISM DESTINATIONS TO EXPLORE WITHIN NATIVE NATIONS AND COMMUNITIES. AIANTA INVITES EACH FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE TO CLAIM AND POPULATE THEIR OWN PAGE, PROVIDING A PROFILE OF THE HISTORY, CULTURE AND TRADITIONS THEY WISH TO SHARE. THE SITE INCLUDES A BLOG TO SHOWCASE TRENDS OR GROUPS OF SIMILAR DESTINATIONS. AIANTA HAS INCREASED OUTREACH TO NATIVE NATIONS AND COMMUNITIES TO ENCOURAGE THEIR PARTICIPATION AND VISITOR EXPLORATION OF INDIGENOUS ATTRACTIONS, DESTINATIONS AND EXPERIENCES. NATIVEAMERICA.TRAVEL IS EVOLVING INTO A POWERFUL TOOL FOR NATIVE NATIONS AND COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE INDIGENOUS TOURISM REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. AIANTA IS ENGAGING AND TRAINING INDIGENOUS TOURISM LEADERS TO USE THIS TOOL TO PERPETUATE AND PROMOTE THEIR CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY.

  Expenses $279,510

• VISITOR OUTREACH -- AIANTA PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM STRATEGY TO BRING MORE VISITORS TO THE UNITED STATES, ESPECIALLY IN OUR PARTICIPATION AT DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOWS TO PROMOTE TOURISM IN NATIVE NATIONS AND COMMUNITIES. AIANTA'S VISITOR OUTREACH PROGRAM IS CRITICAL TO FULFILLING OUR MISSION AND PROMISE TO AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBES AND NATIVE COMMUNITIES. UNIQUE TO AIANTA, WE WORK WITH NATIVE NATIONS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS OF PREPARING FOR AND ENTERING THE TOURISM MARKETPLACE. CURRENTLY, AIANTA PROMOTES INDIGENOUS DESTINATIONS TO VISITOR MARKETS AT INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TRAVEL TRADESHOWS, INCLUDING IPW (HELD IN ROTATING U.S. DESTINATIONS) AND GO WEST. INTERNATIONALLY, AIANTA ATTENDS BRAND USA'S TRAVEL WEEK (LONDON, UK). AIANTA ALSO CREATES INDUSTRY TOOLS LIKE THE TOP 10 INDIGENOUS EXPERIENCES AND 15 CULTURAL PROTOCOLS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU VISIT NATIVE HOMELANDS IN THE U.S. MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS -- AIANTA PROVIDES OUTREACH AND MARKETING SUPPORT TO EXPAND THE IMPACT OF INDIGENOUS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT. IN THE PAST YEAR, AIANTA REACHED POTENTIAL TRAVELERS DOMESTICALLY AND IN NEARLY 50 COUNTRIES VIA SOCIAL MEDIA, AIANTA.ORG AND NATIVEAMERICA.TRAVEL. AIANTA EARNS MILLIONS OF MEDIA IMPRESSIONS ANNUALLY AND REACHES THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS THROUGH E-MAIL NEWS BLASTS, WEEKLY AND MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS, AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS. AIANTA'S REACH IS EXTENDED THROUGH A TARGETED MEDIA RELATIONS CAMPAIGN, WITH PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTED TO LEADING INDIGENOUS PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING NATIVE NEWS ONLINE, NATIVE AMERICA CALLING, CHEROKEE ONE FEATHER, INDIANZ.COM AND HIGH COUNTRY NEWS, TO NAME A FEW. ADDITIONALLY, AIANTA TARGETS LEADING TRAVEL TRADE (TRAVEL AGENT AND TOUR OPERATOR) PUBLICATIONS, SUCH AS TRAVEL WEEKLY, TRAVELAGE WEST, TRAVELPULSE, WANDERLUST AND SKIFT TO NAME A FEW. AIANTA ALSO COMMUNICATES WITH LEADING CONSUMER TRAVEL WRITERS, BOTH FREELANCE AND EDITORIAL STAFF TO FURTHER GENERATE STORIES FOR INDIGENOUS TOURISM. AIANTA ALSO INVITES MEDIA AND THE TRAVEL TRADE OUT TO EXPERIENCE INDIGENOUS DESTINATIONS, ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS ON ANNUAL CURATED FAM (FAMILIARIZATION) TOURS. COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR PROGRAM -- AS PART OF OUR ONGOING MISSION TO SUPPORT NATIVE NATIONS, AIANTA HAS LAUNCHED A PROGRAM AIMED AT CONNECTING INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE U.S.-PARTICULARLY THOSE AT HIGH RISK OF WILDFIRES AND CLIMATE IMPACTS-WITH FEDERAL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES. THIS INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO ADDRESS CLIMATE IMPACTS, PROMOTE HEALTHY FORESTS AND LANDS, AND STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF NATIVE COMMUNITIES THROUGH SUSTAINABLE RECREATION AND CULTURAL TOURISM. THROUGH A NEWLY ESTABLISHED MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, AIANTA GUIDES NATIVE NATIONS IN IDENTIFYING GRANT ELIGIBILITY, NAVIGATING APPLICATION PROCESSES, AND BUILDING THE CAPACITY NEEDED FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS. BY OFFERING WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS FOCUSED ON CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE PERSISTENT BARRIERS MANY INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES FACE IN ACCESSING FEDERAL FUNDING AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS. THIS PROJECT REFLECTS AIANTA'S COMMITMENT TO BRIDGING THOSE GAPS WHILE REINFORCING TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY AND EMPOWERING NATIVE NATIONS TO GROW RESILIENT, CULTURALLY ALIGNED TOURISM ECONOMIES ROOTED IN THE STEWARDSHIP OF HEALTHY LANDS AND FORESTS.

  Expenses $365,459

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

• SHERRY L RUPERT

  CHIEF EXEC O

  Total calculated

  $139,074

  From this org

  $121,368

  From related orgs

  $0

  Other

  $17,706

  Hours/week

  40

• JAYME CAGLE

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• NIKKI GRAHAM

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• SARAH KAZHE

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• KIRBY METOXEN

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• DARIAN MORSETTE

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• MALIA SANDERS

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• JAMIE SIJOHN

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• JIMMY-JOHN THOMPSON

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• CHARLENE VIRGILIO

  DIRECTOR

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• TRAVIS OWENS

  PRESIDENT

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  4

• LORA ANN CHAISSON

  VICE PRESIDE

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  4

• KATE ANDERSON

  SECRETARY

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

• BRIAN WADSWORTH

  TREASURER

  Total calculated

  $0

  Hours/week

  1

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those.

Grants on this return

• SNOQUALMIE INDIAN TRIBE

  $225,000

  TOURISM

• CHIEF JOSEPH FOUNDATION

  $216,508

  TOURISM

• PIT RIVER KWAHN CORP

  $157,500

  TOURSIM

• CONF TRIBES OF COLVILLE

  $136,314

  TOURSIM

• ORGANIZED VILLAGE OF KASAAN

  $135,000

  TOURISM

• ALUTIIQ MUSEUM & ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPOSITORY

  $129,114

  TOURISM

• US FOREST SERVICE

  $123,949

  TOURISM

• BAY MILLS INDIAN COMMUNITY

  $116,100

  TOURISM

• NATIVE HAWAIIAN HOSPITALITY ASSOC

  $50,000

  TOURISM

• ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER

  $50,000

  TOURISM

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Provenance

Return type

form_990

Tax year

2023

Filed

5 August 2025

IRS schema version

2023v6.0

Source object

202502259349301850

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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