Grantee Spotlight: Kira Vanderlan

Throughout its history, the American Indian Family Empowerment Program has invested in human capital — in the skills, resources, and cultural strengths that American Indian families and individuals possess that allow them to contribute to the wellbeing of their community. Since its inception, the Family Empowerment Program has made nearly 800 grants. Meet one of those grantees, Kira Vanderlan. She is the owner of Zestful Design.

Zestful Design is an interior and home design company that is for both homes and businesses. She provides services like home decluttering, interior design, and home staging. Zestful Design also provides services for commercial, residential and government clients across the Twin Cities.

Kira is a Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe descendant and received her second AIFEP grant in 2022. Kira used her economic independence grants from Tiwahe to invest in her business.

The American Indian Family Empowerment Program is a grant-making project of the Tiwahe Foundation, which awards grants to individuals working to be of service to their community, connected to their culture, and to have their potential realized.

Have you received an AIFEP grant from us? We want to hear from you. Contact us to share your story about Tiwahe Foundation’s impact on you.