Investing in Lakota Funds

A Personal Investment in Pine Ridge

In September 2026, I made a personal $50,000, one-year impact investment in Lakota Funds.

This is a repayable investment—not a charitable donation. It places capital with a Native-led Community Development Financial Institution working to expand access to credit and economic opportunity.

My decision followed a personal visit to Pine Ridge and conversations with Lakota Funds Executive Director Tawney Brunsch. What stood out was the importance of backing the people and institutions already doing the work—helping Native entrepreneurs, families, and communities build lasting financial strength.

Lakota Funds’ vision, “Sovereignty Through Self-Reliance,” reflects the purpose behind my investment: supporting locally determined opportunity through access to capital.

Learn more about Lakota Funds:
https://lakotafunds.org

Four Decades of Community-Led Work

Established in 1986, Lakota Funds promotes economic sustainability by providing access to credit for Native people. Its work combines lending with financial education, business support, and relationships rooted in the communities it serves.

My role is not to direct that work. It is to place personal resources behind an institution that understands its community and has spent decades helping people turn ideas and determination into opportunity.

Explore Lakota Funds’ work:
https://lakotafunds.org

Coming Next: Supporting Native Veterans

Alongside my investment, I will be supporting Lakota Funds’ Veterans Match Savings Program through a separate charitable contribution. Details of my contribution will follow—stay tuned.

As a veteran, this work carries particular meaning for me. Supporting those who served means helping create opportunities for stability, homeownership, and a future for their families.

The program helps Native veterans on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations put their own savings to work:

• A participating veteran saves $2,000.

• Lakota Funds provides an $8,000 match.

• Together, that creates $10,000 for a home, essential home improvements, or a business.

Participants have used these resources to purchase and repair homes, make down payments, replace critical home systems, install water and septic services, and start or expand businesses.

The Veterans Day Campaign

According to the campaign summary Lakota Funds shared in September 2026:

• 24 veterans have been served.

• 10 veterans have completed the program.

• 14 veterans are currently participating.

• 34 veterans are waiting for the opportunity to participate.

Lakota Funds established the program using its own earned revenue. NeighborWorks has committed $50,000, enough to provide matching funds for six additional Native veterans.

The campaign’s goal is to secure the resources by November 11, 2026, to give every veteran currently waiting the opportunity to participate.

An $8,000 contribution funds one veteran’s match.
$40,000 funds five matches.
$80,000 funds ten matches.

Learn More or Support the Program

Please contact Lakota Funds directly to discuss supporting the Veterans Match Savings Program. Contributions should go directly to Lakota Funds, not through Hart Legacy Press.

Tawney Brunsch — Executive Director
tbrunsch@lakotafunds.org

Ellen White Thunder — Campaign Contact
ewhitethunder@lakotafunds.org

Lakota Funds telephone:
605-455-2500

Lakota Funds website:
https://lakotafunds.org

Personal Capital. Lasting Purpose.

My investment and forthcoming veteran-program contribution are distinct commitments with a shared purpose: supporting opportunity, independence, and the ability to build something lasting.

I am proud to begin this relationship with Lakota Funds and look forward to sharing more as it develops.

Major (Ret.) Michael P. Hart
Author and Founder
Hart Legacy Press, LLC
https://mph-author.com

Program figures reflect Lakota Funds’ September 2026 campaign materials. My personal repayable investment is separate from my forthcoming charitable contribution to the Veterans Match Savings Program.