Strengthening communities with data services

About us

We’re a collective of dedicated researchers and community development advocates who promote cultural preservation, social equity, and data sovereignty. We partner with tribal, nonprofit, and mission-driven organizations to deliver and measure impact.

What we believe

We believe people should have control over their own data.

Our goal is always self-determination for the communities we serve, because true representation is impossible without it.

Our approach

Everything we do is it ensure the communities we work with are capable, respected, and seen.

We view evaluation, research, and strategy as fluid processes based on shared values of respect, dignity, self-determination, and equity. We listen before we act, and we take a holistic, systems approach to our work, where individuals, families, households, beliefs, ways of knowing, economies, environments, and governments all play a role.

At the outset of any new project, our philosophy is to be optimally unprepared. We come in with a plan based on shared principles and proven methods, but we always acknowledge that this plan must be flexible to account for new ideas throughout the process.

Recent projects

Tribal members carrying a canoe out of the water near Little Boston, Washington

Port Gamble S'Klallam builds a healthy housing ecosystem on the Kitsap Peninsula

The tribe is undertaking a nation-level strategic planning and evaluation process to guide future housing development over the next 10 years.

HOUSING

Colorful boathouses on Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey County, California.

A trusted, mission-driven organization adapts to a rapidly changing landscape

Intensive, strategic collaboration helped United Way Monterey County become an organization that is clearer about who it is and better prepared for what lies ahead.

NONPROFITS

Outside of Lower Sioux's cultural incubator

Lower Sioux Indian Community's cultural incubator becomes a vibrant hub for education, art, and connection

Through community engagement, market analysis, and collaborative planning, the Lower Sioux created a cultural center that could thrive for generations.

CULTURE

Working with Sweet Grass was a huge win for our team. For years, we struggled to measure the impact of our work across the five-county region we serve. Choosing Sweet Grass was easy due to their impressive previous work and their engaging, understanding, and confident approach.”

Charitie Herbst, Sourcewell

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Our clients & partners

Data doing good.

Read the latest articles and success stories about economic development and sustainable community practices.

See all blog posts

  • "Sweet Grass is respectful and listens to the needs of the partner. I appreciate their awareness of Tribal Nations, the importance of tribal sovereignty, and community-driven work."

    Emily White Hat, American Indian College Fund

  • "Sweet Grass is a phenomenal partner who really took the time to understand very complex subject matter and facilitated seamlessly among a diverse set of stakeholders."

    Intertribal Agriculture Council

  • "Sweet Grass’ contextual and cultural understanding of the Native CDFI market is unsurpassed in the field. We appreciate the work they do to stay informed about our markets and to continually amplify our voices on the ground."

    Lakota Vogel, Four Bands Community Fund

  • "Flawless performance and were key to operating the project in a team environment. Always available and on task. Sweet Grass became more co-workers than contractors."

    Randy Finn, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

  • "Sweet Grass allowed for us to have a sense of direction with our products and programming, and it helped us to tell the story of our impact."

    Skya Ducheneaux, Akiptan

Woodcut floral design
Woodcut floral design

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