ACF was formed in 1995 to be a public, nonprofit foundation for all of Alaska that promotes effective, sustainable, local philanthropy. Individuals, nonprofits and organizations can pool their resources into one foundation for maximum efficiency. Today, we manage about $75 million in assets. Through the generosity of donors like you, in the past 20 years ACF has awarded more than $50 million in grants to improve the lives of Alaskans.
Nonprofits serve essential needs across Alaska and deserve annual support. The Alaska Community Foundation supports the work of nonprofits and local communities in three major ways: by making grants from our permanent endowed and non-endowed funds, by convening nonprofits and community members together to maximize impact, and by serving as a source for donors who wish to make a difference.
We empower local communities to identify needs and solve local problems. In that spirit, ACF partners with nine Affiliate Community Foundations including Seward, Kenai, Chilkat Valley, Golden Heart, Talkeetna, Petersburg, Ketchikan, Kodiak and Sitka. Led by dedicated volunteers, our nine Affiliates are pioneering home-grown philanthropy across Alaska.
We connect donors with causes they care about, and aid nonprofits with resources they might not otherwise have. With a wide variety of funds and giving options, everyone and anyone can support the causes they care about. Whether you are a nonprofit organization looking to set up an endowment for future reserves, a community leader partnering with others to accomplish projects for a better Alaska, or an individual or family looking to realize your own philanthropic goals, The Alaska Community Foundation can help you maximize your impact.
ACF works as a convener – bringing together key Alaskans, nonprofit leaders and multiple funding sources to respond to complex issues such as suicide prevention, homelessness and workforce development. The staff of the Alaska Community Foundation have deep roots in Alaska; in fact many of us are life-long Alaskans. We know the issues of our state and the organizations that are working effectively to address needs and expand opportunities.
As a grant maker, we grant funds to a wide variety of causes – arts, education, health and wellness, environmental projects, and even disaster relief.
Below, you’ll find just a few of the stories of these nonprofits and partnerships making a difference.
As a public foundation, we connect people who care with causes that matter. As such, we tailor our services to each individual’s charitable and financial interests and help people invest in the causes and organizations they believe will have the most impact in Alaska.
When you, as a donor, a nonprofit organization, or as a community member, give to a fund or a project at ACF, your donation is protected and grown, and the earnings are used to support the causes you care about for the long term. We believe that grants made tomorrow are as important as grants made today.
Most importantly, we serve our community because we are led by our community. The Alaska Community Foundation was founded by Alaskans for the long-term benefit of Alaska. It is your community foundation.
Whether that’s a place without homelessness, or one where beautiful works of art or natural spaces are accessible to all, we help Alaskans realize their visions. By enabling donors with a vehicle through which to give, we help them improve the world in which we all live – and create an Alaska where communities have the resources to thrive.
Click on the tabs below and then the location on the map to browse all funding. After clicking on a location, the data for that spot shows up below the map. Make sure you scroll through it, as sometimes the list is quite extensive!