Alaska Grants for Nonprofits

Learn about grants for Alaska by browsing our curated list of top Alaska funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities using the search tool for Grant Finder. Become a member.

Giving Trends in Alaska

Alaska encompasses the largest geographical area, as well as the largest proportion of Native Americans residing in any U.S. state. It is also one of the least populous states overall. All of this informs Alaska’s philanthropic landscape. Compared to other states, the scale of philanthropy is relatively small. In 2018 and 2019, roughly 800–1,000 grantmakers collectively gave about $400 million in grants for Alaska each year, according to Candid. At the same time, the proportion of Alaska grants going to Native communities is higher than in most other states. Alaska additionally has a network of small community foundations that reach isolated and far-apart rural communities.

Health and human services, education, the environment, and the needs of rural communities are top priorities for Alaska grants. Since the majority of the remote rural population is Alaska Native, there is substantial overlap between grants focused on rural as well as on Indigenous issues and communities. As energy is a big part of the Alaskan economy, changes in the energy market can have a significant impact on Alaskan philanthropy, especially corporate philanthropy. Alaskan grantmakers connect with funders in other states through the regional association Philanthropy Northwest. The Affiliate Program, an collaborative initiative of Alaska funders the Rasmuson Foundation and the Alaska Community Foundation, works to strengthen philanthropy across Alaska.

Alaska’s top funders are a mix of community foundations with a strong local focus, private foundations, and corporate funders. Important funders of Alaska grants include the Rasmuson Foundation, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Alaska Community Foundation, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Mat-Su Health Foundation, Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, Bristol Bay Native Association, Juneau Community Foundation, Arctic Education Foundation, CIRI Foundation, Coastal Villages Region Fund, United Way of Anchorage, Alaska Conservation Foundation, and Homer Foundation. Notable corporate funders include General Communication Inc. and the RuRAL CAP Foundation.

Foundations in Alaska

ALASKA BAR ASSOCIATION

The Alaska Bar Foundation supports civic legal services and legal education in Alaska.

ALASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

This community funder supports groups throughout the state mostly in the areas of the great outdoors, community development, children and education, health and wellness, and arts and culture.

ALASKA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

This funder supports environmental conservation throughout Alaska. Topics of interest are wildlife protection, leadership development and capacity building for Alaska Native groups, climate, energy and the Tongass Rainforest.

ARCTIC SLOPE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Arctic prioritizes giving in Anchorage, Alaska and the Arctic Slope region. It invests in arts and culture, education, health and human services, and the preservation of the Iñupiat language and culture.

ATWOOD FOUNDATION

This funder supports nonprofits based in Anchorage, Alaska in the fields of the arts, journalism, history and civic events. Special priority is given to youth causes, and unsolicited applications are accepted.

BETHEL COMMUNITY SERVICES FOUNDATION

This funder supports community-based programs in Southwest Alaska in the form of bridge, capital, general operating, and business/enterprise grants.

CHILKAT VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Chilkat Valley Community Foundation supports education, arts and culture, health, social issues, historical preservation, environment, and recreation in the Chilkat Valley region of Alaska.

CIRI FOUNDATION

This funder supports education and career development for Alaska Natives in the form of grants, scholarships, and fellowships. There are four grant deadlines each year.

CHUGIAK-EAGLE RIVER FOUNDATION

The Chugiak-Eagle River Foundation supports human services, education, civic engagement, literacy, culture, sports, science, and trade associations in the Chugiak-Eagle River area of Alaska.

FIRST ALASKANS INSTITUTE

This funder supports community efforts related to early childhood education, high school graduation rates, connecting elders and youth, and youth leadership. Unsolicited applications are accepted.

GOLDEN HEART COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

This community foundation supports health and wellness, education, the great outdoors, arts and culture, and community development in the Fairbanks/North Pole region of Alaska.

SITKA LEGACY FOUNDATION

The Sitka Legacy Foundation supports health and wellness, education, the great outdoors, arts and culture, and community development in the Sitka area of Alaska.

HOMER FOUNDATION

This funder supports a variety of community needs in Homer, Alaska. There are several grant programs that accept applications.

JUNEAU COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

This community funder is based in Juneau, Alaska where it supports homelessness, suicide prevention, hospice, substance abuse, mental health, and relief for victims of violence.

KENAI PENINSULA FOUNDATION

The Kenai Peninsula Foundation supports organizations that work with young people, recreation, safety, vulnerable populations, and the elderly on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska.

KETCHIKAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

This foundation supports local economy building efforts, family-supported employment, affordable housing, healthcare, arts and culture, recreation, and education in the Ketchikan region of Alaska.

KODIAK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Kodiak Community Foundation supports health and wellness, education, the great outdoors, arts and culture, and community development efforts in the Kodiak area of Alaska.

MEA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The MEA Charitable Foundation is the grantmaking arm of the Matanuska Electric Association and supports various local nonprofit causes in Alaska.

PALMER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Palmer Community Foundation supports health and wellness, education, the great outdoors, arts and culture, and community development efforts in the Palmer area of Alaska.

PETERSBURG COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Petersburg Community Foundation supports local efforts related to children, the elderly, vulnerable populations, recreation, education, safety in the Petersburg region of Alaska.

PRIDE FOUNDATION

The Pride Foundation is the only LGBTQ+ community foundation in the Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. It is an expansive organization deeply dedicated to the LGBTQ+ across various grants and initiatives, both organization-wide and at the individual state level.