Rooted in Culture, Driven by Impact
First Peoples Fund, founded in 2003, is a beacon of support for Native American artists and culture bearers across the United States. What began as a small organization with just four employees has blossomed into a team of 27, dedicated to honoring and uplifting the Collective Spirit of Indigenous communities. First Peoples Fund’s mission is clear: to support Native artists and culture bearers through grants, mentorship, training, and community development programs, fostering healing, economic resilience, and cultural vitality.
Since 2004, First Peoples Fund has directly supported over 6,000 Native artists from 35 states and 133 tribal nations, distributing $9.3 million in grants, fees, and honoraria. Their work spans financial awards, professional development, community programs, and national research to advance Indigenous arts as a force for social change. Guided by values like generosity, wisdom, respect, and humility, First Peoples Fund helps Native communities thrive while staying deeply connected to their cultural roots.
Facing Technology Challenges in a Remote World
As a growing organization with a largely remote staff, First Peoples Fund relies heavily on technology to carry out its mission. Before partnering with KT Connections, managing technology was a hurdle, especially for a team spread across different locations. While details about First Peoples Fund’s tech setup before 2011 are unclear, the demands of supporting a distributed workforce made reliable IT solutions essential. Remote staff needed seamless access to tools and quick resolutions to technical issues to stay focused on their impactful work. Without a dedicated partner, ensuring consistent tech support for a team serving artists nationwide would have been a significant challenge.
A Partnership That Powers First Peoples Fund’s Mission
KT Connections, a Managed Service Provider with over 25 years of experience, stepped in as a game-changer for First Peoples Fund. Based in Rapid City, SD, KT Connections is passionate about solving business challenges with proactively managed technology. Their partnership with First Peoples Fund ensures that the organization’s team has the tools and support needed to perform their jobs effectively. Whether it’s troubleshooting issues or providing reliable systems, KT Connections keeps First Peoples Fund’s operations running smoothly, allowing staff to focus on empowering Native artists and communities.
A Responsive and Accessible Ally
What sets KT Connections apart is their accessibility and responsiveness, critical for an organization like First Peoples Fund with remote staff. When technical issues arise, First Peoples Fund can count on KT Connections to reply promptly and offer solutions tailored to their needs. This reliability is a lifeline for a team that operates across different locations, ensuring that technology doesn’t stand in the way of their mission. As First Peoples Fund puts it, KT Connections is “easily accessible and responds promptly,” meeting the unique demands of a distributed workforce with ease.
Proactive Support That Makes a Difference
KT Connections goes beyond reactive fixes, taking a proactive approach that First Peoples Fund deeply values. Their annual service reviews are a standout feature, where they meet with First Peoples Fund to discuss performance, address questions, and explore potential solutions. This forward-thinking partnership ensures that First Peoples Fund’s technology aligns with their evolving needs.
By understanding First Peoples Fund’s mission and challenges, KT Connections delivers personalized care that helps the organization stay operational and focused on its goals. For First Peoples Fund, having a partner who “understands our needs and is willing to assist us with issues as they arise” is a significant benefit.
Enabling Remote Success
One of the most impactful aspects of this partnership is KT Connections’ ability to provide technical assistance to First Peoples Fund’s remote staff. Without this support, managing IT for a distributed team would be a daunting task. KT Connections’ expertise in remote solutions ensures that First Peoples Fund’s staff can work effectively, no matter where they are. This capability has been a game-changer, allowing First Peoples Fund to focus on supporting artists and culture bearers without being bogged down by technical challenges.
Why First Peoples Fund Recommends KT Connections
First Peoples Fund wholeheartedly recommends KT Connections to other organizations, and it’s easy to see why. Their collaborative spirit, proactive approach, and genuine interest in First Peoples Fund’s mission make them an invaluable partner. As First Peoples Fund notes, KT Connections “shows an interest in our organization and helps us stay operational.” This dedication aligns perfectly with First Peoples Fund’s values of generosity, respect, and integrity, creating a partnership rooted in shared goals.
What Sets KT Connections Apart
KT Connections stands out for their personalized care and commitment to their clients’ success. Their core values—integrity, collaborative spirit, inquisitive minds, balanced focus, and personalized care—shine through in their work with First Peoples Fund. Unlike generic IT providers, KT Connections takes the time to understand First Peoples Fund’s unique needs, offering tailored solutions that empower the organization to thrive. Their ability to manage technology proactively, combined with their regional expertise and passion for building prosperous communities, makes them a trusted ally for organizations like First Peoples Fund.
For First Peoples Fund, KT Connections is more than an IT provider—they’re a partner in their mission to uplift Native artists and culture bearers. By ensuring reliable technology and responsive support, KT Connections enables First Peoples Fund to focus on what matters most: fostering healing, strength, and joy in Indigenous communities. This partnership exemplifies how strategic technology solutions can empower organizations to achieve their goals, making KT Connections an essential part of First Peoples Fund’s journey to create a lasting impact.