News & stories from Change Labs
Stories of Native changemakers
Business incubator introduces largest cohort and see’s largest applicant turnout
As a 15 member cohort starts their training in the Change Labs Business Incubator, they are already standing out as being the largest and most competitive cohort the incubator has welcomed.
Change Labs commits to deploy $13.3 million in loans to Navajo businesses
Change Labs’ new lending initiative leverages the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative (NSBCI) to finance established business owners, artisans and nonprofits
Learning together: announcing a new Kinship Lending cohort
The Change Labs Kinship Lending program welcomes a former Navajo Nation Council Delegate, coffee shop owners, artists, silversmiths and a fashion designer as participants in this newest cohort.
Paying it forward
Change Labs Kinship Lending loan program welcomes back a record number of alumni into its new cohort
Navajo-led orgs secure more than $11M in Wells Fargo Invest Native funds
More than 25 Native‑led organizations aim to grow housing, small business, financial opportunities.
Change Labs receives $100,000 to invigorate economic opportunities on the Navajo Nation
The 2023 AHEAD grants will support 75 innovative economic development initiatives throughout Arizona, California, and Nevada
Change Labs to Receive $125,000 Our Town Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
Change Labs is approved for a $125,000 Our Town award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support the architectural design of expansion of its entrepreneurship hub in Tuba City as well as architectural design for a Change Labs entrepreneurship hub in Shiprock, NM
For Native entrepreneurs by Native entrepreneurs: Change Labs’ entrepreneurship hub opens its doors
The 1,400-square-foot work and event space, meeting area and community center is the first building of its kind for business owners, creatives and the entrepreneurial-curious on the Navajo Nation.
New cohort of Navajo and Hopi entrepreneurs breaks away to follow their own path
Change Labs rings in the new year with a new cohort of Indigenous entrepreneurs who want to change how business is done.
Change makers elected to Navajo Nation leadership
Two Change Labs alumni join a historic council with a record number of women leaders serving in Navajo Nation Council Delegate seats.
Change Labs receives grant from Target Foundation
An unrestricted contribution helps funds new ideas and initiatives.
Business incubator helps entrepreneurs lift up their communities
With its new cohort of twelve Indigenous entrepreneurs, the Change Labs incubator is seeing a new wave of ideas targeting the community success and wellbeing.
Kinship Lending welcomes 17 new Navajo and Hopi borrowers
Change Labs uses USDA funds to welcome 17 new Native American borrowers into its Kinship Lending program for business owners and nonprofit leaders on Navajo and Hopi land.
Change Labs graduate wins $500k grant
Nááts’íilid Initiative, an Indigenous-led, coalition-driven non-profit is awarded a $500,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place Program.
Technology gaps aren’t stopping Navajo entrepreneurs
Change Labs and Nez Technologics teamed up with LISC and the Better Business Bureau to improve internet speeds and provide technology and digital training program for Navajo business owners.
2022 Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Nine incredible gifts from Native hands for the matriarchs in your life! Don’t forget to #BuyNative for Mother’s Day this year.
Kinship-inspired lending opportunities help small business in Indian Country
Change Labs' Kinship Lending Program helps Navajo and Hopi business owners find their way in an uncertain time, it also helps first-time borrowers learn the ins and outs of what it takes to have a loan and how to manage one.
Our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
#BuyNative this holiday season with our recommendations for gifts for all ages. We’ve scoured our community, Instagram, and Facebook for ideas, and here’s our top picks for fun and unique gifts made by Indigenous hands.