On Election Day morning, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 170 law student and attorney volunteers trained by the Native American Rights Fund will arrive at polling sites on or near reservations and pueblos across six states to provide election protection support for Native voters.

NARF’s non-partisan Native Vote Election Protection Project is the first and only election protection program to cover Indian Country at-large and coordinate and all of the organizations, individuals, and Tribal Nations working to protect the Native vote.

NARF’s Native Vote Election Protection volunteers will serve as poll watchers and election observers at polling sites in Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. NARF attorneys will staff a command center that both volunteers and voters can call if they experience or observe any challenges in their efforts to cast a ballot. With the support of NARF voting rights staff attorneys and local counsel connections, our team will ensure that Native voters are able to cast a ballot and make sure their ballot is counted.

Voters in any state who have questions or encounter challenges while voting can call the Election Protection 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline.

Source: Native American Rights Fund Continue Reading

Thursday, November 7, 2024, 9:00 AM PT

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued revisions in April 2024 to the Uniform Guidance Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 200 with an aim to reduce administrative overhead and burden on non-federal entities and provide them certain increased flexibilities. These revisions are effective for all federal awards issued on or after October 1, 2024.

Join Moss Adams for a webcast, Implementation of the 2024 Revisions to OMB Uniform Guidance, in which speakers will highlight how federal agencies have adopted this OMB guidance. Speakers also provide tips on how to prepare for and make the most of higher thresholds and reduced complexity in grant management.

Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury Register

Your insights on Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidance are needed. In advance of the upcoming Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Council (GASAC) meeting, NAFOA invites your input for presentation to the Council.

The GASAC meeting agenda includes opportunities for Council members to highlight any practical issues that may warrant the Board’s attention. GASB’s ability to address emerging accounting and financial reporting concerns depends, in part, on input from the field, and GASAC members play a critical role in identifying these issues.

Please collaborate with your tribes and organizations, as relevant, to respond by Wednesday, November 6. We value your feedback and its role in shaping effective standards for the benefit of all communities. For additional questions, contact GASAC member Hattie Mitchell, REDW Director of Client Advisory and Accounting Services, at Hattie.Mitchell@redw.com.

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The U.S. Department of Treasury and the IRS recently announced proposed changes to the 2014 Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act — creating a crucial opportunity for Native American tribes across the country. These regulations promise to redefine how tribes can support their members through tax-free general welfare program payments.

Key changes and their potential impact While the 2014 act promoted tribal general welfare overall, defining general welfare became a challenge. What, exactly, constitutes “lavish or extravagant”?

The proposed amendment seeks to clarify these terms, deferring to tribes to define them within their unique cultures and circumstances. This clarity opens the door for tribes to expand existing programs and develop innovative new approaches to supporting tribal citizens. The impact could be transformative, enabling tribes to address long-standing issues of poverty and limited economic opportunities in culturally appropriate and tailored ways.

At the heart of these proposed regulations is a commitment to increased tribal autonomy. This flexibility is a game-changer, allowing tribes to adapt their programs to meet evolving needs without fear of running afoul of rigid federal definitions. As an added benefit, it also minimizes potential IRS scrutiny surrounding the terms.

Source: Wipfli Continue Reading

Working under the direct supervision of the Director of Economic Development, the Economic Development Financial Analyst will support initiatives aimed at enhancing the economic viability of the Tribe through strategic planning, project execution, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate will have experience in one or more of the following fields: financial analysis, project management, asset management, market research, property management, or land negotiations.

Learn More & Apply at nafoa.org/jobs