Who We Are
The Alaska Cultural Trust was formed in 2022 and Alaska now joins the majority of states that have arts and culture trusts. The Alaska Cultural Trust is Alaska’s first trust dedicated to supporting arts and culture in Alaska and will leverage public-private partnerships to create a sustainable fund for future generations. The Alaska Cultural Trust was formed after a ten-year assessment process engaging hundreds of diverse stakeholders who ultimately determined there was an overwhelming need to establish a cultural trust at the Alaska Community Foundation. There are many ways to give in Alaska, but until now there hasn’t been a statewide fund for individuals and organizations to give broadly to arts and culture.
Artist: Alaska Native Heritage Center Boarding School Harley Totem Pole Raising and Dena’ina Haida Potlach
The Alaska Cultural Trust recognizes that Alaska possesses a rich cultural heritage, and that heritage is an incredible asset to the state and its citizenry. The Alaska Arts & Culture Foundation (AACF) in collaboration with the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) have established this fund to ensure that access to arts and culture “unique to Alaska” is sustained for future generations, and also to ensure there are sufficient funds for the future advancement of culture in the state.
The Alaska Cultural Trust aims to empower, embrace, and celebrate culture through the arts, heritage, and humanities of Alaska. We understand culture as expressive media that reflect who we are and convey stories of identity, and embrace and celebrate culture through the arts, heritage, and humanities of Alaska.
The Alaska Cultural Trust was established by AACF and ASCA and is governed by the AACF Board of Directors and ASCA Board of Trustees. AACF and ASCA leadership are responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of the Trust, continuing to augment the fund with additional resources and overseeing the grantmaking process. Both organizations have diverse representation from across Alaska, including experienced, influential leaders in arts, culture, humanities, and business.
What We Do
The core purpose of the Alaska Cultural Trust is to establish a significant funding base that will allow the Alaska Cultural Trust to regularly distribute statewide grants to the most impactful and community-based arts and culture projects across the state. The Trust is the first entity that will leverage federal and state resources with philanthropic contributions to embrace new cultural opportunities throughout Alaska. However, Alaska Cultural Trust mission is far great than just grantmaking and includes the following:
Artist: Ukpik Snowy Oil Seal Oil Lamp by Britt’Nee Kivliqtaruq Brower, photo by the artist
- The Alaska Cultural Trust is a source of sustainable funding for nonprofit arts and culture organizations. Arts and culture are often overlooked by public funding sources. The goal of the Alaska Cultural Trust is to establish an independent, consistent, and sustainable source of funding that will allow Alaska’s cultural, arts, heritage and humanities organizations to continue to thrive.
- The Alaska Cultural Trust fosters public support and a culture of philanthropy within the arts and culture sector. Unlike most states there has not been a way for those interested in giving back to the arts and culture in Alaska. With the establishment of the Alaska Cultural Trust, we have now opened that door for those interested in private and corporate philanthropy to give to the sector in the broadest way possible. Private philanthropy often encourages further public support and funding.
- The Alaska Cultural Trust is a statewide grantmaker. The statewide grantmaking application and process is efficient, uncomplicated, and focused on funding a diverse set of rural and urban projects across the state that have both immediate and long-term impacts on arts and culture in our state.
- The Alaska Cultural Trust will help to expand and catalyze economic opportunities in the arts and culture sector. Through the grantmaking process and other strategic initiatives, the Alaska Cultural Trust will help spur economic opportunities and community development for cultural nonprofit organizations, artists and others within the arts and culture network. The arts and culture economy can contribute to the development of a more robust and diverse state economy.
- The Alaska Cultural Trust is a collaborative partner with other arts and culture organizations. The Alaska Cultural Trust is dedicated to working in partnership with local community arts councils and other arts and culture organizations to ensure the Trust’s work is additive and collaborative.
The Alaska Cultural Trust is committed to providing resources for the advancement of arts and culture for generations to come.
Why Donate to the Alaska Cultural Trust
Your donation now to the Alaska Cultural Trust will help seed a fund that will create a legacy of giving to arts and culture in Alaska. We all are touched by Alaska’s rich cultural heritage every day and the simple act of giving to the Alaska Cultural Trust ensures that organizations like the Nome Arts Council, Sitka Fine Arts Camp and SouthWest Arts Group have sustainable and reliable sources of funding. The work of the Alaska Cultural Trust will touch artists and supporting organizations from Kotzebue to Petersburg and from Unalakleet to the Golden Valley in a responsive and community-based way.
Artists: Kaxátjaashaa, Herring Rock Woman Robes, led by K’asheechtlaa/Louise Brady, Kiks.ádi, Raven clan elder, who asked Lingít artist Káakaxaawulga/Jennifer Younger and ally Carol Hughey
Alaska has a tremendously unique culture and heritage that should be celebrated and shared with everyone across the state, our leaders, visitors, and the world at large. Yet, until recently, we have not had a way to support these efforts because we were one of few states that did not have an arts and culture trust. Now it is possible to give to Alaska’s very own arts and culture trust housed at the Alaska Community Foundation. Your donation will allow the Alaska Cultural Trust to support critical projects that are showcasing relevant aspects of our culture today and will also provide resources for the next generations of artists and cultural organizations.
Your support today will not only help provide critical resources to seed the Alaska Cultural Trust fund but will also help the Trust leverage funding opportunities with other national foundations and access public funding.
How Does the Alaska Cultural Trust Work
The Alaska Cultural Trust Fund will be located at the Alaska Community Foundation to leverage their back-office support and governance best practices. Donors will give directly to Alaska Cultural Trust’s fund at the Foundation. The Alaska Community Foundation will have the fiduciary responsibility for managing all assets in the fund. The Alaska Community Foundation will invest the Alaska Cultural Trust funds, along with the other $200 million of philanthropic funds in Alaska, to maximize investment returns and minimize financial management costs.
The Alaska Cultural Trust will utilize the Alaska Community Foundation’s grant making platform, including the application process, application eligibility and grant making review systems. Grant making decisions will be made by the Alaska Cultural Trust Advisory Committee, consisting of members from the Alaska State Council on the Arts Trustees, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation Board, and Members at Large. The Advisory Committee will be responsible for ensuring the grantmaking portfolio is focused on geographic diversity and a balance of rural and urban projects.
How to Give
You can make a charitable gift directly by giving on our donation platform at the Alaska Community Foundation at https://alaskacf.org/funds/alaska-cultural-trust/. We can also accept legacy gifts, multi-year pledges and regionally focused gifts to support the arts, culture, humanities and rich heritage of Alaska. If you have any questions about your charitable gift or grant, please contact ASCA Chairman Benjamin Brown at benjamino1789@yahoo.com. All donors and sponsors will be recognized on our website and acknowledged in all publications and presentations. We look forward to working with you to build the Alaska Cultural Trust and to celebrate the advancement of arts in culture in Alaska.