Helping Those Who Help Others​

“The most useful and influential people in America are those who take the deepest interest in institutions that exist for the purpose of making the world better.”
–Booker T. Washington

The nonprofit sector directly employs 44,100 Alaskans. Counting indirect and induced effects, nonprofits are responsible for sustaining 67,567 jobs in the state.[1] In a year of considerable uncertainty and upheaval, these individuals have stepped up, sometimes putting themselves in harm’s way to help Alaskans struggling due to the pandemic. Nonprofits provide food and clothing, housing assistance, public health care, and childcare. They are social innovators that find creative ways to fill the gap in services through the kindness and generosity of donors and volunteers.

Alaskan nonprofits have received over 8,000 grants totaling more than $82 million from The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) in the last 25 years. These grants were made possible through building community relationships, the work of dedicated volunteers, and partnerships with corporate foundations and giving programs. It takes a community effort for ACF to support those who help others in times of need.

Today ACF is excited to partner with the State to launch a new program to support nonprofits. The Alaska Community Foundation will administer $35 million of funding from Alaska’s share of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. ACF will offer grants to eligible nonprofits and faith-based organizations that provide critical services to Alaskans. The new Coronavirus Nonprofit Relief Fund (CNRF) program will be conducted through a partnership with the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS).

“I’m thankful that we’re able to provide funding to many of the groups across our state that work to help Alaskans, especially during this health emergency,” said DHSS Commissioner Adam Crum. “Any time we can put more of Alaska’s share of the CARES Act money back into our communities, I know it will directly help Alaskans.”
The funding will enable nonprofits to continue providing essential services that prevent or alleviate the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the economy, jobs, families, and children.

Applicants can receive CARES Act funding for a variety of expenses, including medical, public health, payroll, COVID-19 response compliance, economic support, or other costs necessary for the continued functioning of nonprofit agencies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“ACF is honored to partner with the state and have this opportunity to support nonprofits helping Alaskans through this health and economic crisis,” said ACF President and Chief Executive Officer Nina Kemppel. “This is an important investment in Alaska’s communities at such a critical time.”

Grants will be prioritized based on the community impact and the organization’s ability to carry out public health projects. Funding will not be limited based on an organization’s size, type of staff, or geographical location. Grant awards will generally range in size from $25,000 to $1 million through three rounds of funding. Applications for the first round of funding are due July 29.

It is our goal to help as many nonprofits and faith-based organizations as possible. We will offer assistance in the grant application process and will work with organizations to access and expend the funds by December 30, 2020. Nonprofits and other charitable organizations can find more information, including eligibility criteria, and apply for a grant by going to alaskacf.org/cnrf.