Alaska Airlines Foundation Grant

The Alaska Airlines Foundation provides grants to support young people in communities served by Alaska Airlines, with a particular emphasis on underserved areas in Alaska and Hawaii. The Foundation partners with community programs and initiatives that empower and engage young people, helping them to connect with career opportunities and envision their full potential. The goal is to prepare the next generation of leaders by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and clear pathways for future success. Grants are intended to support and strengthen both new and existing programs offered by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The Foundation prioritizes programs that serve young people aged 10 to 24. Eligible programs must focus on at least one of the following areas: career exploration and career-connected learning experiences; mentorships; development of soft skills, critical thinking, empowerment, job training, and leadership development; or advanced degree or career and technical certification preparation and support. Applications are reviewed twice a year, with the current submission deadline set for July 1. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that are located within Alaska and Hawaii, where Alaska Airlines has a strong operational presence. Recipients are expected to provide periodic updates on the progress of their funded programs. The Foundation may request specific metrics and feedback to help evaluate the impact of the funded work. The typical grant range is between $5,000 and $20,000, with many grants initially skewing toward the lower end of this range as the Foundation develops and refines its funding partnerships. The size of each award is determined by factors such as the number of young people served, geographic reach, organizational capacity, size of the operating budget, demonstrated impact, and the specific budget of the program being supported. Grant funds must be expended within one year of receipt. The program budget should show reasonable per-client costs, and no more than 50 percent of the grant request may be designated for general operating costs or staff salaries. Additionally, the requested funds should not exceed 10 percent of the organization’s overall operating budget or 50 percent of the program’s budget. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S.-based tax-exempt nonprofit organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Organizations must not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military/veteran status, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable laws. Certain entities and activities are explicitly ineligible, including but not limited to political organizations, religious organizations without a secular community designation, hospitals, individuals, academic institutions, conferences, capital campaigns, and sponsorships of fundraising events. Applications must be submitted online prior to the deadline. All requests are personally reviewed by the Foundation. Applicants will receive responses via email and can monitor the status of their submission through an online profile. The Foundation values partnerships with organizations that can demonstrate long-term program sustainability and collaborative approaches to service delivery.