Alaska Arts Grants

The Seward Community Foundation (SCF), an Affiliate of The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF), offers mini-grants up to $1,000 to support a wide array of community needs in Seward and/or Moose Pass. This flexible funding opportunity aims to support projects related to health and wellness, education, the great outdoors, arts and culture, and community development. Applications are reviewed monthly by the SCF Advisory Board, with a submission deadline on the 5th of each month.

This grant provides funding for full-time graduate students in the Western U.S. to collaborate with their academic advisors and local producers on projects that promote sustainable agriculture through research and education.

The Seward Community Foundation (SCF) Annual Grant Program, an initiative under The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF), is designed to support a wide range of charitable activities in Seward and Moose Pass, including health and wellness, education, outdoor activities, arts and culture, animal welfare, and community development. This program is open to qualified, tax-exempt organizations such as 501(c)(3) entities, Tribal entities, schools, and faith-based organizations operating in or serving these communities. To be eligible for funding, applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm AKST on February 2, 2024. Grant projects or programs must be completed within one year of the award date, with the possibility of an extension approved by the SCF Advisory Board. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/ closing deadline: January 8th to February 2nd

The Chilkat Valley Community Foundation (CVCF), an affiliate of The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF), is offering grants to qualified, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations (or equivalents like Tribal entities, schools, and faith-based organizations) that support charitable programs in the Chilkat Valley area. This grant program aligns with the foundation's mission to address a broad range of community needs. Grants are available in three categories: Operating Support, New Program and Special Project, and Capital Grants. The typical grant awards range from $500-$3,500, with an overall grant size ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. The target beneficiaries are organizations serving the Chilkat Valley, with an emphasis on local, sustainable organizations for operating support, and those undertaking new or special projects. The impact goals are to support various community needs including health and wellness, education, the great outdoors, arts and culture, and community development. Capital grants are also available for construction, remodel, renovation, technology, furniture, and equipment, aiming to enhance the infrastructure and resources of community organizations. The program prioritizes organizations that are tax-exempt 501(c)(3) or equivalent. Capital Grant applicants receive extra scoring points if they have previously applied for other grants for the same project. Ineligible organizations include individuals, for-profits, specific non-profits (501(c)(4), 501(c)(6)), non-Alaska based organizations, private foundations, government agencies, and ad hoc groups. Activities such as religious indoctrination, endowment building, fundraising, lobbying, and political activities are also ineligible. Exceptions are made for faith-based organizations or governmental units whose proposals broadly benefit the community, and ineligible organizations can apply through fiscal sponsorship. Expected outcomes include the completion of grant projects within one year of the award, subject to the grantee completing an online grant agreement. The measurable results are tied to the successful implementation of supported programs and projects, contributing to the health, education, cultural enrichment, environmental preservation, and overall development of the Chilkat Valley. The foundation's strategic priority is to foster a vibrant community by supporting a diverse array of charitable initiatives, operating under the theory that targeted financial assistance to qualifying organizations will lead to improved community well-being and sustained local development.

The Storefront Improvement Program (SIP) is a discretionary reimbursement grant established by the City of Soldotna in 2012. Its primary goal is to revitalize commercial areas within Soldotna by stimulating private investment, fostering economic growth, and enhancing the overall visual appeal and vitality of the city's commercial districts. This program aligns with the City's long-range plan, Envision Soldotna 2030, specifically addressing goals such as promoting downtown development, encouraging redevelopment in key areas like the river and major highways, supporting diverse local businesses for a healthy economy, and improving the streetscape along major routes. The SIP targets property owners and business lessees within Soldotna’s commercial areas, with the aim of boosting traffic, increasing property values, and improving the city's aesthetic. The program prioritizes exterior improvements to business facades visible from the street, including elements like storefronts, windows, exterior lighting, canopies, awnings, painting, masonry work, permanent landscaping, decorative signs, and accessibility improvements. The emphasis is on transformative changes, and projects incorporating multiple elements receive greater weight during the competitive application process. Expected outcomes include a more vibrant and attractive commercial landscape, increased foot traffic for local businesses, and an uplift in property values. By sharing the cost of beautification, the program seeks to empower local business owners to invest in their properties, contributing to a more prosperous local economy. While routine upkeep, maintenance, or required updates (e.g., signage due to change in ownership) are not eligible, the program encourages proactive improvements that enhance the architectural character and functionality of commercial buildings. Measurable results could include an increase in the number of beautified storefronts, a rise in new business openings or expansions in commercial areas, and potentially an increase in sales tax revenue for the city. The program's theory of change posits that by directly incentivizing aesthetic and functional improvements to business exteriors, the city can create a more inviting environment that attracts both residents and visitors, thereby stimulating economic activity and supporting the long-term health of its commercial sectors. The competitive application process ensures that funding is directed towards high-impact projects that best align with the program's objectives.

This grant provides funding to agricultural professionals and organizations in the Western U.S. to implement educational and demonstration projects that promote the adoption of sustainable farming practices based on previous research findings.

Groundwork Grants, developed in partnership with Myriad Consulting & Training and funded by the California State Library, aims to provide essential financial support to institutions that document the experiences of individuals, groups, and communities whose contributions to California's history and culture have been historically underrepresented. This program directly aligns with a broader mission to safeguard California's cultural heritage in its most inclusive form for future generations. By focusing on underrepresented narratives, the grant supports a more complete and equitable understanding of the state's diverse past and present. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are organizations that document historically underserved and underrepresented communities. This includes, but is not limited to, African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American groups, persons with disabilities, those experiencing poverty or homelessness, veterans, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ individuals, senior residents, immigrants, refugees, and rural communities. The program's impact goals are to address identified needs related to emergency readiness within these institutions, reduce response and recovery costs in the event of a disaster, and ultimately ensure the long-term preservation of invaluable cultural heritage assets. The grant prioritizes institutions that represent or document these historically underserved communities. Additionally, priority is given to organizations that have recently undergone preservation assessments, particularly those incorporating disaster readiness, through a Ready or Not consultation or other qualified preservation consultants. This focus on both inclusive representation and proactive disaster preparedness ensures that the most vulnerable and vital cultural heritage assets are protected. Expected outcomes include improved emergency readiness among cultural institutions, a reduction in the economic burden of disaster response and recovery, and the enhanced safeguarding of California's cultural heritage. Measurable results will stem from the allocation of over $1 million in competitive funding for the first round, with maximum individual awards of $15,000. Support options include assistance in disaster plan development, disaster recovery and spill kits, preservation supplies, environmental monitoring equipment, staff training, consultations with facilities specialists, and supplies for minor building maintenance or security needs. The emphasis on practical support aims to directly address and mitigate risks to cultural heritage.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have established the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund. This fund supports projects focused on assessing, removing, and disposing of marine debris in coastal communities affected by hurricanes and other storm events. The initiative aligns with the foundations' broader mission to conserve and restore fish, wildlife, and their habitats, as well as to benefit human communities impacted by natural disasters. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are coastal communities in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina that were impacted by the 2022 hurricanes Fiona, Ian, Nicole, and Typhoon Merbok. The impact goals are to reduce the effects of marine debris on these communities, protect industries, and prevent further harm to habitats and fish and wildlife populations. The program aims to address both the immediate and long-term consequences of storm-related marine debris. The program prioritizes projects that offer dual benefits, meaning they benefit both human communities and fish and wildlife. Emphasis is placed on projects that are ready for direct clean-up efforts and have already completed marine debris assessments, addressed hazardous materials, and secured necessary permits and disposal logistics. Community engagement and co-design processes that incorporate traditional knowledge are also encouraged to ensure maximum benefits and sustainability. Expected outcomes include a significant reduction in marine debris from coastal habitats and nearshore waters, leading to enhanced ecological integrity and functionality of ecosystems. Measurable results will include the reduction of impacts to properties, community infrastructure, assets of economic and cultural importance, and improved navigational safety. The grant duration is four years, with awards of up to $6 million to achieve these accelerated and comprehensive outcomes for impacted coastal resources and communities.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is offering the Local Soil Health Workshop Grant, a reimbursement-based program designed to enhance soil health education and practices among Utah's agricultural producers and professionals. This grant aligns with a mission to expand localized knowledge of soil health principles and practices, ultimately fostering a more regenerative and sustainable agricultural landscape within the state. The program's core objective is to facilitate the hosting of local workshops and conferences focused on soil health throughout the 2025 calendar year, providing a direct avenue for education and community building. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are Utah agricultural producers and professionals, along with conservation districts that will host the educational events. The impact goals include increasing opportunities for these individuals to learn about regenerative farming practices and building robust local networks of soil health-focused individuals. The grant prioritizes educational and outreach events that deliver community-sized learning, supporting both expert speakers and local soil practitioner presenters. It also aims to provide a support network for producers and increase the implementation of soil health practices through knowledge sharing, including field days and demonstration events. Expected outcomes include a significant expansion of localized knowledge regarding soil health principles and practices across Utah. Measurable results will stem from the number and quality of workshops and conferences held, the engagement of participants, and the subsequent adoption of soil health practices. The program explicitly aims to provide resources to cover expenses for events, enabling the engagement of expert speakers, payment for local practitioners, and essential supplies and advertisements, all contributing to high-quality educational experiences. The UDAF's strategic priorities are evident in the grant's focus on community-level education and the emphasis on building local networks. The theory of change appears to be that by providing financial resources to host accessible and high-quality local soil health events, UDAF can directly empower agricultural communities to gain knowledge, share experiences, and ultimately implement more sustainable practices. This, in turn, is expected to lead to improved soil health across the state, benefiting both the environment and the long-term viability of Utah agriculture. The grant cycle has a total funding of $30,000, with individual awards ranging from $1,500 to $10,000, ensuring broad reach and impact across various initiatives.

The Harbor Facility Grant Program, administered by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, offers 50/50 matching financial assistance to municipally or regional housing authority owned small boat harbor facilities in Alaska. This program, funded annually by the Alaska Legislature, aims to support critical infrastructure within the state. While the specific foundation mission or strategic priorities are not detailed, the program's alignment with state-level infrastructure development and maintenance is clear. Port or barge facilities are explicitly ineligible, focusing the program on small boat harbor needs. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are municipal and regional housing authorities that own small boat harbor facilities. The impact goals include ensuring the continued functionality and improvement of these facilities, which are vital for local communities and maritime activities in Alaska. The program's structure, with its focus on "Major Maintenance and Repair," "New Construction," and "Expansion," suggests a commitment to both preserving existing infrastructure and fostering growth where needed. The program prioritizes projects through a two-tiered system. Tier I focuses on "Major Maintenance and Repair" of facilities previously owned by the state and now under municipal or regional housing authority ownership, with these projects receiving priority. A facility can only receive one Tier I grant, after which it becomes eligible for Tier II. Tier II encompasses all other eligible facilities, including new construction, expansion, or further major maintenance and repair, and facilities can receive multiple Tier II grants. This tiered approach indicates a strategic focus on addressing the most pressing maintenance needs first, then supporting broader development. Expected outcomes include improved safety, functionality, and longevity of small boat harbor facilities across Alaska. Measurable results could be tracked by the number of facilities repaired or constructed, the value of the grants awarded, and the types of improvements made (e.g., new pilings, upgraded utility systems). The grant duration is 2 years, with a grant period of 18 months for projects, allowing for substantial work to be completed. Award amounts range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $5,000,000, ensuring significant financial support for eligible projects. The focus on essential items like approach structures, float systems, and utility systems further reinforces the program's goal of ensuring robust and operational harbor facilities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit theater organizations in select Western U.S. states for professional productions that address contemporary social issues and engage diverse audiences.

This funding initiative provides financial support to Alaska-based artists and collectives for innovative, community-engaging visual arts projects that reflect their creative vision.

This funding opportunity supports journalists in Alaska working on in-depth projects that address underreported issues or enhance arts and culture coverage in the state.

This grant provides funding to community organizations in Soldotna for programs and events that enhance the cultural, economic, and overall quality of life for residents, particularly focusing on public welfare and community growth.

This program provides financial support to Alaska writers across various literary genres to help advance their creative careers and contributions to the state's cultural landscape.

This grant provides funding for schools in Alaska to host artist residencies that enhance arts education and professional development for teachers while fostering community engagement.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and school districts in Alaska to create ongoing arts and cultural programs for youth, promoting hands-on learning and community engagement.

This grant provides financial support to artists residing in Juneau, Alaska, to help them create and share original works with the community.

This grant provides $10,000 to Alaska-based nonprofit organizations and tribal governments to support storytelling projects that highlight underrepresented narratives and foster community connections in Alaska.

This grant provides funding to support professional performing arts projects in small Alaskan communities, enhancing cultural access and enrichment.