In response to recent severe storms, including Typhoon Halong, that devastated Alaska’s western coast, local community organizations and regional partners have come together to establish the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund, housed at the Alaska Community Foundation.
A Community-Driven Response
The fund emerged from urgent conversations among leaders and organizations across western Alaska’s affected regions, including the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Bering Strait, and Northwest Arctic regions. Recognizing the immediate and long-term needs facing their communities, these local partners initiated a collaborative response to support recovery efforts.
“AVCP appreciates the efforts of philanthropic organizations throughout the state and YK Delta region to organize a response for charitable giving to assist our communities. We are working with all our partners to respond emergently to the needs of our communities during this difficult time. Donations to this fund will be essential for impacted communities,” said Vivian Korthus, CEO of the Association of Village Council Presidents, the tribal consortium dedicated to supporting the interests of the 56 member tribes of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
The Alaska Community Foundation is honored to serve as the home for this grassroots initiative, providing administrative support and ensuring transparent distribution of resources to the most affected communities.
“Western Alaska communities know what they need, and they’ve mobilized quickly to support one another. When local leaders asked us to serve as host for this effort, we were honored to step in. We’re guided by Alaskans, and we show up when invited,” said Alexandra McKay, CEO and President of the Alaska Community Foundation.
“Our job is to handle the administrative work—the paperwork, the receipts, the accounting—so community leaders can focus on recovery, not red tape,” added Megan Cacciola, ACF’s Vice President of Programs & Grants.
The Impact
Two major storm systems struck western Alaska in rapid succession, bringing record flooding, extreme winds, and extensive damage from Kwigillingok to Kotzebue. Homes have been damaged and destroyed, critical infrastructure compromised, and subsistence resources disrupted. As weather conditions remain unstable, affected communities continue responding to urgent needs while a comprehensive damage assessment is still underway.
How the Fund Will Help
Through this collaborative effort, the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund will provide support to affected communities for immediate relief, recovery support, and long-term resilience, including disaster preparedness initiatives.
Distribution decisions will be guided by advisors, including regional leaders and stakeholders, ensuring resources reach affected communities based on locally identified needs.
Partnership Organizations
The Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund brings together a growing list of local, regional, and statewide partners endorsing the fund, including:
- Association of Village Council Presidents
- Alaska Federation of Natives
- Alaska Native Heritage Center
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
- ANCSA Regional Association
- Bethel Community Services Foundation
- Calista Corporation
- Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation
- First Alaskans Institute
- Kawerak, Inc.
- Maniilaq Association
- Native Peoples Action
- Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation
How to Help
Those wishing to support Western Alaska communities can contribute to the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund by:
Online: alaskacf.org/WesternAlaska
Mail: Alaska Community Foundation, 3201 C Street, Ste. 110, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: 907.334.6700
About the Partnership
The Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund represents a collaborative model of disaster response, bringing together the local knowledge and leadership of western Alaska communities with the administrative capacity and philanthropic infrastructure of the Alaska Community Foundation.
Media contact:
Ashley Ellingson
Director of Communications and Marketing
Alaska Community Foundation
aellingson@alaskacf.org | 907.334.6700