University of Notre Dame
April 28-30, 2026
This convening will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to learn about innovative Indigenous education approaches that are uplifting students and empowering communities.
This event, intentionally designed Catholic funders, is limited to 30 people.
As a Catholic family foundation, Better Way has shifted 100% of its grantmaking to support Indigenous communities—we’re learning a lot and are excited to create more space for other funders, Catholic or otherwise, to explore funding Indigenous communities as well as less than half of 1% of philanthropic dollars support Indigenous communities.
Better Way Foundation and the American Indian Catholic Schools Network are event co-hosts. Please contact us for more information and share this invite with people who might be interested.
More details to come! For now, we want to get this event on your calendar.
Any questions, or if you’re interested in learning more, please contact Nicholas Banovetz or Mariah Mendez.
Who Should Attend?
- Catholic family foundation leaders, Board members/family members
- Regional Catholic community foundations, particularly CEOs or philanthropic advisors
- Community foundation leaders in cities or regions with large Catholic populations
Agenda & Speakers
This convening will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to learn about innovative Indigenous education approaches that are uplifting students and empowering communities.
As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) acknowledges, “The history of Indigenous Peoples in the United States of America is punctuated by trauma” of which government and church-run boarding schools played a significant role. Despite this troubled history, communities are pursuing reconciliation, Indigenous languages and cultures are being revitalized, traditions are returning, and children are learning. By attending this summit, you can contribute to this important movement.
The Summit will feature the work of the American Indian Catholic Schools Network and explore a range of factors that impact the quality of life and education in Native communities, including:
- Language revitalization
- Early childhood education
- Literacy education
- Truth and Healing efforts
- College access and career pathways
- Educator formation and teacher pipeline programs
The summit is intended to move participants from shared grounding and understanding, to inspiration and practical exploration, and toward reflection and action. Each day will include prayer, storytelling, conversation, and small-group dialogue.
Tuesday, April 28th
Focus: Setting intentions, building community, and grounding the gathering in faith
- Welcome Mass
- Storytelling and shared learning around successes, challenges, and healing
- Dinner and time together
Wednesday, April 29th
Focus: Listening, understanding context, and exploring where philanthropy can make a difference
- Storytelling and discussion on the state of Native American Catholic education
- Choice sessions (e.g., Indigenous college and career pathways or mobilizing capital)
- Shared reflection over lunch
- Educator formation and leadership development
- Conversation about why this work matters now
- Dinner
Thursday, April 30th
- Breakfast and reflection
- Local, off-campus site visit
Additional details and updates will be shared in the weeks and months ahead!
The speaker lineup will include a blend of representatives from peer organizations, Indigenous communities, and faith leaders.
The Summit will take place on the University of Notre Dame campus from April 28-30, 2026. The convening will begin on the evening of Tuesday, April 28, with a welcome and Mass at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, will feature a full day of programming. Thursday, April 30, will include additional opportunities for connection and reflection, including a nearby off-campus site visit, with the Summit concluding early afternoon.
Complete logistics information will be shared with registered attendees closer to the Summit. A block of hotel rooms has been reserved on campus, and lodging instructions will be provided upon registration. Participants are encouraged to plan travel to arrive in time for the April 28 evening welcome and to depart in the late afternoon or early evening on April 30.
Please contact Mariah Mendez at the Better Way Foundation with any questions: mmendez@betterwayfoundation.org.
Why Attend
By Attending, Attendees will…
- Learn about innovative Indigenous education approaches that uplift students and empower communities.
- Connect directly with impactful Native-led schools and educational initiatives
- Engage in mutually beneficial conversations rooted in thought partnership and meaningful exchange with key stakeholders
- Network in intimate settings with philanthropic leaders whose investments in Indigenous communities have been moving the needle on education, health, and well-being
- Visit an Indigenous exhibit at the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
- Learn from the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, the local tribal nation in northern Indiana, who have a deep and rich history on this land, and with the University of Notre Dame
Break the cycle of disinvestment, as less than half of 1% of philanthropic dollars support Indigenous communities—we can collectively take action to invest in these resilient communities.
What’s Possible with Investment
While this summit looks at broader opportunities for investment, we have seen incredible growth from our investments in Catholic schools serving Native students.
- 4 AICSN educators’ professional lives have been transformed by earning an education degree through the AICSN Holy Cross Fellow program
- 90% of AICSN partner schools are “extremely satisfied” with the formation and support offered by AICSN
- 96% of AICSN professional development attendees would encourage their colleagues to attend future AICSN convenings