Usibelli Foundation Grant

The Usibelli Foundation is a philanthropic initiative founded in 1991 by the Usibelli Coal Mine, a fourth-generation, family-owned mining operation. With an initial endowment of $1 million and ongoing financial backing from the coal mine, the Foundation has grown in its capacity to support local nonprofit organizations throughout Interior Alaska. To date, it has awarded over $2.9 million in grant funding to initiatives that align with its mission to enhance and strengthen community life. The Foundation operates independently with oversight from its Allocations Committee, which is responsible for all grantmaking decisions and meets quarterly to review submitted applications. The Usibelli Foundation primarily funds organizations working in the areas of health and social services, education, youth programs, the arts, and civic organizations and activities. Particular emphasis is given to programs that foster learning through education, preserve Alaskan heritage, and reinforce community cohesion. The Foundation’s grants support a wide variety of organizations—from health nonprofits and food banks to art festivals and educational centers—illustrating its broad commitment to civic enrichment and social welfare in Interior Alaska. Applicants are required to submit a complete application via the Foundation’s online Grant Request Form. Incomplete applications, including those lacking necessary documentation, will not be considered. There are no explicit guidelines on specific documentation needed; however, based on standard practices, supporting documents would likely include proof of nonprofit status, program descriptions, and proposed budgets. The Foundation does not indicate any matching fund requirements, nor does it publish the range of award amounts or the number of awards made per cycle. The grant program follows a structured quarterly cycle, with application deadlines falling on February 28, May 31, August 31, and November 30. These deadlines correspond to committee review meetings held in March, June, September, and December. This pattern confirms that the grant operates on a recurring basis, enabling applicants to plan submissions throughout the year. The current status of the opportunity is active, with the next closing deadline being August 31. While no specific evaluation criteria are publicly outlined, the broad funding areas and past grantees suggest that alignment with community impact, education, heritage preservation, and youth engagement are key considerations. Organizations must be based in or serve the Interior Alaska region, and there is no indication of nationwide eligibility. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations, as evidenced by the list of previous grantees, which exclusively comprises 501(c)(3) and similar nonprofit entities. For direct inquiries, applicants may contact Executive Director Lisa Herbert at the Usibelli Foundation office located at 100 Cushman Street, Suite 210, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701-4674. The contact number is (907) 452-2625. No email address is provided in the source materials, and no PDF documentation was linked.