Usibelli Foundation Grant

The Usibelli Foundation Grant Program is a private philanthropic initiative administered by the Usibelli Foundation, which was established in 1991 with an initial endowment of $1 million from the Usibelli Coal Mine. Since its inception, the Foundation has grown in both assets and impact, benefiting from continued financial support from the coal mine and strategic investment of its funds. The Foundation focuses its efforts on supporting nonprofit organizations that operate within Alaska and seek to enhance the quality of life in local communities. The core mission of the Foundation centers around four primary areas: education, health and wellness, community enrichment, and youth development. Grants are awarded to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organizations that align with these focus areas. Specific examples of supported initiatives include scholarships and STEM programs in K-12 and higher education, mental health and food assistance services under health and social services, youth leadership and sports programs, and cultural events such as theater and museum exhibits within the arts sector. Community and environmental programs, including those supporting military families and public parks, are also within the scope of eligible funding. Applicants must complete the Grant Application Form provided by the Usibelli Foundation and ensure that all required fields are filled. Only applications that are fully completed are considered eligible for review. The application process does not specify any pre-application stages such as letters of intent or concept papers. However, applicants must submit their requests before the funded event or activity occurs, necessitating early planning in relation to the grant committee’s schedule. The Allocations Committee of the Foundation convenes quarterly to review grant applications. Meetings are held in the first week of February, May, August, and November. To allow sufficient time for evaluation, applicants are required to submit their funding requests at least three days prior to the committee meetings. Given this recurring review cycle, the program operates on a quarterly basis and applicants can strategically plan submissions to coincide with upcoming review periods. Funding decisions are guided by the Foundation’s commitment to measurable community impact and alignment with its values. Although specific award amounts are not disclosed publicly, grants have historically been used to support a broad spectrum of programs and services that serve Alaskans statewide. Contact details for program staff or specific individuals are not provided in the source material, and no direct PDF application guidelines are linked. Organizations are expected to use the Foundation’s official application form hosted on their website to initiate the grant process. As this is a recurring, quarterly program, the next expected application deadline following the November 2025 cycle will fall in February 2026. Nonprofits planning to apply should target submission by late January to meet the early February review meeting and ensure compliance with the requirement that funds be approved prior to the event date.