Rupert Ayton Hired As The New Finance Director

Rupert Ayton, Finance Director, a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP), is a former financial executive with several publicly traded financial service organizations. He has more than 30 years of financial management experience as an officer or consultant to for- and non-profit organizations. From 2001 to 2004, Rupert was CFO of RSF Social Finance, an innovative public charity. Since 2005, he has consulted domestically and internationally. His regional consulting clients have included Unitus, Ecotrust, McKenzie River Gathering Foundation, and Movilix Financial Services. Rupert has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from California State University-Northridge and a MBA from Golden Gate University.

“The act of giving was part of the ‘gifting economy’ of the Northwest where one’s wealth was measured by generosity, good work and a good heart. That is the work of philanthropy too: It’s an honor to have plenty and to share. There is no lack when you have this process in place and the most important mindset to have while participating is gratitude, or giving thanks and promising to care for all, no matter what.”

Elizabeth Woody, Navajo/Warm Springs/Wasco/Yakama

K-12 Program Coordinator, Center for Coastal Marine Observation & Prediction

“These gifts demonstrate strong tribal interest in creating a powerful funding engine for protecting and preserving Native art and culture—the very cornerstones of tribal sovereignty. A foundation of this nature will help reverse the long history of government suppression of Native culture done as part of the United States' assimilation program. Through gifts of this nature, Indian Country can direct its resources to protect what is closest to home to all Indian tribes—our own cultures."

Walter Echo-Hawk, Pawnee

Board Chair, Native Arts & Cultures Foundation

Rupert Ayton Hired As The New Finance Director

2011/2012 Grantees

2010/2011 Grantees