Exit Glacier Guides support the community through the Seward Community Foundation’s Business Partnership Program.
Generosity doesn’t just live in individuals—it thrives in businesses rooted in the communities they love. Whether it’s a hardware store rounding up change at the register or a local shop matching donations, these everyday acts of giving help build something bigger: lasting connections between businesses, their customers, and their communities.
That spirit of connection is at the heart of the Alaska Community Foundation’s mission. Through programs like the Business Partnership Program and the Match Maker Program, our Affiliate Network helps strengthen those ties — raising visibility for both local businesses and local giving.
When businesses support community giving, they do more than write a check. They inspire their customers, staff, and neighbors to take part too. That’s the idea behind the Business Partnership Program: businesses invite customers to round up their purchases or add a donation at checkout, and many match those gifts to double the impact.
In Seward, local businesses partner with the Seward Community Foundation during seasonal drives to raise donations that fund local grants. Ryan Fisher, owner of Exit Glacier Guides, says it best:
“Using my business to enhance the lives of those who call Seward home is a win-win for me—it’s rewarding and easy to do.”
Through the Kodiak Community Foundation’s Match Maker Program, local businesses pledge a set amount as a matching gift, inviting the community to give alongside them. Last year, four businesses stepped up — Highmark Marine Fabrication, Kodiak Subway, Critical Level Plumbing, and Harborside Coffee & Goods — and set the challenge: “If we reach this goal together, your gift will go twice as far.” The community joined in, raising more than $19,000 for Kodiak Community Foundation’s endowment, making sure today’s generosity becomes tomorrow’s lasting legacy.
In both programs, the impact is collective. Local businesses get involved because they care about the places they call home. Their leadership strengthens community connections and helps build a culture of giving. At the same time, our Affiliates grow their local funds and expand their ability to serve. Together, they create lasting change and a stronger sense of belonging.
We believe generosity is one of Alaska’s greatest strengths. Our Affiliates live and work in the communities they serve—they know the people, understand the needs, and help guide generosity toward what matters most. For The Alaska Community Foundation and our Affiliates, giving locally isn’t just about today. It’s about building something that lasts. Giving here means giving forever.
