Alaska Community Development Grants

This funding supports conservation organizations in Alaska that are working to protect vital natural areas and address environmental issues by enabling staff to travel for advocacy and outreach efforts.

The Village Safe Water (VSW) Program in Alaska outlines a clear process for communities seeking funding for water and sewer improvement projects. Eligibility is determined based on community type and the existence of an approved Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) or Technical Memorandum. All applications must be linked to a specific project in the Sanitation Deficiency System (SDS) and, for first-time piped service projects, must include an approved Sustainability Plan. The application process involves submitting a community letter requesting the project, indicating the name and cost, and either mailing or emailing the completed application package by 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2024. Project funding becomes available in Fall 2024, with the expectation that projects will be completed by Fall 2029.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to colleges and universities that serve significant populations of Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian students, helping them improve educational outcomes and institutional capacity through innovative projects.

AgWest Farm Credit's New Producer Grant Program supports new agricultural producers who have two years or less of operational experience or plan to start their operation within two years of applying. The grant aims to alleviate the challenge of lacking start-up funds, celebrating the ingenuity and passion of new producers. Successful applicants will receive a one-time $15,000 grant to support their operation's growth. The grant focuses on applicants within AgWest Farm Credit’s territory who are not current lending customers and are U.S. citizens or lawful residents.

The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council administers the City and Borough of Juneau Major Grants to provide operating support for local arts nonprofit organizations. The program seeks to cultivate vibrant arts and cultural opportunities and to build a strong, prosperous community where creativity and innovation thrive. Funding may support a specific project or season operations. Review criteria include compatibility with core values, artistic quality, community benefit, organizational capacity to manage programs and events, number of individuals served, evaluation processes, prior compliance with grant policies, budget realism, and sound program management. Organizations must be current with licenses and registrations. Eligible applicants are local nonprofit organizations serving Juneau and surrounding Southeast Alaska communities. Projects funded in 2024 to 2025 will occur from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The program supports community art encouragement and services that enrich quality of life and promote the creative economy. Applications are due May 1, 2024. Grant size and duration beyond the one year period are not stated. Additional information is available from the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council.

This grant provides funding to higher education institutions that serve significant populations of Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students, helping them improve academic programs and institutional capacity.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Alaska and Hawaii that empower young people aged 10 to 24 through career exploration, mentorship, and skill development programs.

This grant provides funding to Alaska Native tribes and organizations for community-specific projects that enhance self-sufficiency through social, economic, and governance development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to tribal governments and consortia operating Tribal TANF programs to improve collaboration between TANF and child welfare services, aiming to prevent child abuse and neglect in at-risk tribal families.

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. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/ closing deadline: January to December

The Sitka Legacy Foundation is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to tax-exempt organizations in Sitka and on Baranof Island, prioritizing those serving children and youth, for projects in areas such as health, education, outdoors, arts, and community development, to be completed within a year.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to tribal governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions for solar energy projects that enhance energy independence and benefit low-to-moderate income communities.

The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) is seeking applications for its Kodiak Community Foundation Grants program, targeting charitable organizations and programs within the Kodiak Archipelago Area. This grant opportunity aligns with the ACF's broader mission to support diverse community needs, with a focus on local impact in the Kodiak region. The program aims to address a wide range of needs, ensuring that funding contributes to the well-being and development of the community. The target beneficiaries of these grants are charitable organizations and programs operating in the Kodiak Archipelago. The impact goals are broad, encompassing health and wellness, education, outdoor activities, arts and culture, and community development. The foundation's strategic priority is to empower local initiatives that directly benefit the residents of the Kodiak area, reflecting a theory of change that grassroots efforts are crucial for sustainable community growth. The program prioritizes projects that address a broad spectrum of community needs. While specific outcomes are not rigidly defined beyond these categories, the expectation is that funded projects will contribute to an improved quality of life, enhanced community resources, and increased opportunities for residents in the aforementioned areas. Measurable results would likely be defined by individual grant recipients based on their specific project goals, within the broader framework of the foundation's focus areas. Funding information indicates average awards range from $1,000 to $3,000, with a potential for higher or lower amounts, and grant projects must be completed within one year of the award. The eligibility criteria emphasize support for 501(c)(3) public charitable organizations, faith-based organizations providing social services, federally recognized Tribes or Tribal non-profit organizations, and city or borough governments. This structured approach ensures that resources are directed towards credible and impactful entities capable of delivering on the grant's objectives.

The Golden Heart Community Foundation (GHCF) offers grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, Tribal entities, schools, and faith-based organizations that support charitable programs in the Fairbanks North Star Borough area. This geographic community fund aims to address the evolving charitable needs of the Greater Fairbanks area, with guidance from the Golden Heart Community Foundation Advisory Board. The mission alignment is centered on fostering community well-being and development across a broad spectrum of needs within the specified region. The grant program targets a diverse range of beneficiaries, including those in need of support for health and wellness, education, outdoor activities, arts and culture, and general community development. The impact goals are to support projects that provide measurable and achievable outcomes, demonstrating tangible benefits for Fairbanks North Star Borough residents. Preference is given to applications that have the potential to broadly impact the community. The GHCF prioritizes projects that address a wide array of community needs and focuses on initiatives that can demonstrate clear outcomes and effective use of resources. While the grant size ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, funding information also specifies $1,000 – $5,000, indicating a focus on a range of project scales. The foundation's strategic priorities are to facilitate a fair and transparent competitive process, ensuring that eligible applications are reviewed thoroughly using a scoring matrix by the Grants Committee, composed of volunteer Advisory Board members and other community members. Expected outcomes include successful project completion within one year of the award, with a clear focus on measurable and achievable results. Applicants are encouraged to detail these outcomes and demonstrate additional sources of support, collaboration, and/or cooperation. The evaluation criteria emphasize the overall merit of the project, the organization's ability to successfully complete it, the clarity and measurability of the project's goal, the feasibility of the timeframe, and the number of people served, reflecting the foundation's theory of change which centers on impactful, well-executed projects that benefit the broader Fairbanks community.

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.

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.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to federally recognized Indian Tribes and Alaska Native organizations to enhance victim services and address the needs of families affected by missing or murdered Indigenous persons in their communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions for initiatives that improve earthquake safety and awareness across multiple states or nationally.