Manh Choh Community Fund

The Manh Choh Community Fund (MCCF) is a permanent charitable fund established through a $1 million legacy gift from Kinross Gold to the Alaska Community Foundation (ACF). Designed to operate in perpetuity, the fund supports annual grantmaking efforts aimed at improving the well-being of communities located near the Manh Choh mine in Alaska. The fund specifically serves the communities of Delta Junction, Dot Lake, Healy Lake, Mentasta, Northway, Tok, Tetlin, and Tanacross. ACF provides fiscal management and final grant approval, while a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) composed of regional representatives guides funding decisions to ensure alignment with local priorities. Grants are available to a variety of eligible entities that can demonstrate charitable purpose and alignment with the fund’s mission. This includes 501(c)(3) nonprofits, Tribes and Tribal entities, K–12 schools, city governments, and collaborations of public and nonprofit agencies. Fiscal sponsorship is permitted for organizations without nonprofit status. Faith-based organizations may apply if their projects serve a secular public benefit. Ineligible applicants include 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), and 501(c)(7) organizations, although they may partner with a qualifying fiscal sponsor. The fund operates two grant cycles annually—spring and fall. The spring 2026 cycle is open from March 2 to April 10, 2026, and the fall 2026 cycle will run from August 31 to October 9, 2026. Grant amounts generally range from $3,000 to $5,000, with $100,000 available in the spring 2026 cycle. Requests for funding beyond this typical range will be considered but may receive partial support based on available resources. Funding decisions aim for equitable distribution across the region, considering both need and community impact. MCCF prioritizes projects across six key areas: community health and well-being, cultural and historical preservation, economic development, education, environmental conservation, and infrastructure improvements. Eligible activities include programs and initiatives, time-bound projects, capital and equipment needs, and one-time events that demonstrate lasting community impact. The fund does not support general operating expenses, debt reduction, or religious and political programming. Applicants are limited to one proposal per cycle but may submit more if warranted by program diversity within large entities like school districts. All funded projects must submit a brief report within a year of award receipt, documenting achievements and outcomes. Community engagement and transparency are integral to the fund’s operations, with updates regularly shared through various communication channels. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the fund guidelines in detail and submit completed applications by the posted deadlines. For questions about the grant cycle, applicants may contact [email protected]. Additional inquiries can also be directed to Meadow Riedel of Kinross Alaska at [email protected].

Prioritize impact, geographic equity, and community benefit.