About Us

Working Towards a Better Future

Our Mission

The Nimiipuu Fund facilitates financial independence by enhancing the personal and entrepreneurial capacity of the Nez Perce Reservation and surrounding communities. We promote economic growth while embracing our cultural values and traditions by providing tailored financial products and services.

Our Vision

A better financial life by advancing individual self-determination and self-sufficiency for every community member.

Nimiipuu Community Development Fund is committed to enhancing the financial prosperity of individuals and families. We provide loans and development services geared towards constructing personal assets and fostering wealth. Our coaching, training, and asset-building initiatives cater to Nez Perce Tribal members and individuals residing in or around our reservation, spanning across Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.

Nimiipuu Fund operates as a Native 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Dedicated to fostering equitable economies in Native communities, Native CDFIs play a vital role in providing loans, extending credit to thriving businesses, creating employment opportunities, offering culturally competent financial coaching, and broadening access to new prospects.

These institutions establish trust, cultivate robust community relationships, and promote self-determination, aiding Native communities in overcoming challenges related to credit access and asset building within economic systems that have historically neglected their needs. Native CDFIs serve as catalysts for opportunity, providing accessible funding to resourceful and resilient communities in Indian Country. Through strategic partnerships, funding initiatives, and network development, they contribute to sustained prosperity and shared opportunities for all.

Staff

Jonelle Yearout

Executive Director
(208) 621-3729

George Moody

Accounting Manager
(208) 621-3531

Ty Domebo

Loan Officer
(208) 621-4857

Heewekse Wisdom

Programs Officer
(208) 621-4847

Glory Sobota

Americorps VISTA Marketing & Development Coordinator
(208) 621-3738

Nimiipuu-fund-team-roxanne-best

Roxanne Best

Business Coach

Connect with Heewekse Wisdom for intake process and scheduling with one of our business professionals.

Board of Directors

Nimiipuu-fund-team-delrae-kipp

Delrae Kipp

Director

Nimiipuu-fund-team-kim-pate

KIMBERLY PATE

Director

Nimiipuu-fund-team-kermit-mankiller

Kermit Mankiller

Director

Nimiipuu-fund-team-howard-teasley

Howard Teasley

Director

Nimiipuu-fund-team-ELIZABETH-ARTHUR-ATTAO

ELIZABETH ARTHUR-ATTAO

NPTEC Treasurer

"It’s a lot of work that you put into an organization to help your community because you have the heart for the community. Native CDFIs are a very small but also a very mighty sector of the financial industry. It’s really understanding those financial markets and the need to raise capital."

Jonelle Yearout, Nimiipuu Fund Executive Director

Changing & Shaping Lives

Nimiipuu Fund is dedicated to empowering Native Sovereignty. Over the last decade, we have equipped the Native communities in our vicinity with essential tools, training, and capital, enabling them to take charge of their economic futures.

731

Total Loans

$1.7m

Total Loan Funding

193

Individual Consumer Loans

$485k

Loaned to Individual Consumers

82

Credit Builder Loans

$139k

Loaned to Credit Builders

8

Small Business Loans
Startup & Existing

$102k

Loaned to Startup & Existing Small Businesses

Total Loans from 2016-2022.