Alaska Arts Grants

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), seeks applications from qualified, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations (or equivalents, such as Tribal entities, schools, and faith-based organizations) that support charitable organizations and programs in the Chilkat Valley area. Donor Name: Chilkat Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/11/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Grants may support a broad range of community needs, including but not limited to: health and wellness, education, the great outdoors, arts and culture, and community development. Annual Grant applications are being considered in three (3) grant categories: Operating Support Grants may be awarded to sustainable organizations in amounts not to exceed 20% of the local organization’s secured cash annual budget. New Program and Special Project Grants may be awarded for programs and projects that are not undertaken on an annual basis. Capital Grants (i.e., grants for construction, remodel, renovation, technology, furniture, equipment, etc.) Capital Grant applicants will receive extra scoring points if they have applied for any other grant, such as a Rasmuson Foundation Grant, for the proposed project prior to applying to CVCF. Funding Information Typical grant awards range from $500-$3,500. Grant projects must be completed within one year of award and are subject to the grantee completing an online grant agreement signifying acceptance of the terms and conditions of the grant. Ineligibility Ineligible organizations or activities: Individuals, for-profit, 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), and non-Alaska based organizations, private or family foundations, state and federal government agencies, and ad hoc groups without a tax-exempt legal status are not eligible for competitive grants. Applications for religious indoctrination or other religious activities, endowment building, deficit financing, fundraising, lobbying, electioneering, or activities of political nature will not be considered, nor will proposals for ads, sponsorships, or special events (e.g., fundraisers), and any proposals which discriminate as to race, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, creed, or ethnicity. Exceptions: In selected cases, projects undertaken by organizations that normally fall outside the above guidelines may be able to receive funding. Examples include faith-based organizations whose proposal impacts the broader community, and units of government whose proposal extends beyond the traditional governmental functions that impact the broader community. Fiscal Sponsorship: Ineligible organizations may be able to receive funding for projects if they seek support from a qualified organization that is willing to provide fiscal sponsorship. Fiscal sponsors must agree to take legal and fiscal responsibility for accepting grant funds from CVCF on behalf of the ineligible organization. A letter from the fiscal sponsor must be submitted with the application for the project to be considered. For more information, visit ACF.

The Storefront Improvement Program (SIP) is to revitalize Soldotna’s commercial areas by stimulating additional private investment in the local economy. Donor Name: City of Soldotna State: Alaska City: Soldotna Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: By partnering with local business owners and lessees to share the cost of beautifying the exterior of a business, the program aims to boost traffic, increase property values, and improve the overall look and vitality of the city’s commercial districts. The program was established in 2012 to meet several goals of Envision Soldotna 2030, the City’s long-range plan, including: Promoting development of the “downtown area” to attract both visitors and residents; Encouraging redevelopment of key areas, particularly along the river and major highways; Ensuring a healthy economy by supporting a diversity of local businesses; and Improving the streetscape along the Sterling and Kenai Spur Highways. The SIP is a discretionary reimbursement grant, which can be used for exterior improvements to businesses in the City of Soldotna.  Funding Information The amount available for each property is 50% of the cost of eligible improvements, up to a maximum of $7,500. Eligible Work  Rehabilitation of building facades that are visible to the street, including the following elements: storefronts; windows; exterior lighting; canopies and awnings; painting and masonry work; permanent landscaping; decorative, artistic or unique signs and graphics and accessibility improvements. The emphasis of the grant program is to encourage the transformation of building facades through improvements to one or more of the elements listed above.  Greater weight is awarded to projects that incorporate multiple elements.  The grant program is not intended to provide financial assistance for routine upkeep and maintenance (e.g., painting) or to satisfy required updates (e.g., signage resulting from change in ownership or business type, franchise requirements to change paint scheme, etc.). Applications are competitive and the highest ranking proposals will be funded first. Eligibility Criteria Eligible participants include property owners and business lessees. Ineligible participants Properties primarily in residential use (ex. apartments or condominiums); Structures not facing or visible from the right-of-way; Government offices and agencies (non-governmental tenants are eligible); New construction, less than 5 years old. For more information, visit COS.

This grant provides funding to agricultural professionals and organizations in the Western U.S. to implement educational and demonstration projects that promote the adoption of sustainable farming practices based on previous research findings.

The Beautification Commission is accepting a second round of applications for the 2024 Beautification Matching Grant Program. Donor Name: City of Valdez State: Alaska City: Valdez Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Valdez Beautification Matching Grant Program offers a financial incentive designed to assist local businesses or commercial property owners in improving the business setting for investors as well as providing an overall upgrade in appearance for residents and visitors. 2024 will be the ninth year of the program and continues with the expansion of eligible properties outside the core downtown district. The 2024 matching grant program’s goal is to improve the overall aesthetics of Valdez through: Improving the overall quality of building/structure façades in order to attract more local residents and visitors to shop, eat, and do business in Valdez. Encouraging businesses to invest in additional aesthetic and design improvements including landscaping and art. Encouraging and incentivizing property/business owners to reinvest in community. Encouraging grant applicants to strengthen the local economy through utilizing local vendors, contractors, and materials. Funding Information Applicants can apply for a grant rebate to pay for up to 50 percent of the cost of improvements, with a maximum reimbursement of $12,500 per building. Projects involving corner buildings or spanning more than one lot/parcel may request larger grant amounts, not to exceed a maximum reimbursement of $25,000. Eligible Properties Properties located in the following zoning districts1 are eligible to apply for funding: Central Business District, General Commercial, Waterfront Industrial and Light Industrial. Properties must be used primarily for a business purpose to be eligible for grant funding. Properties must be up to date on their property taxes and may not have open code violations to apply. For more information, visit City of Valdez.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) established the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund to support projects to assess, remove, and dispose of marine debris in and around coastal communities impacted hurricanes and other episodic storm events. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Alaska, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/26/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: The Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund will award up to $6 million in grants to remove damaging marine debris from coastal areas of communities impacted by hurricanes or other natural disasters to reduce impacts to communities, industry and prevent further harm to habitats and fish and wildlife populations. Funding has been made available by the FY 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, P.L. 117-328. Program Priroites  This program will prioritize projects that provide dual benefits – both benefit for human communities and benefits for fish and wildlife. The program will use assessment and prioritization efforts conducted by local, state, and federal response agencies or their designees to prioritize projects that will address marine debris in areas of greatest impact and most critical to prevent communities and ecosystems from further harm. The majority of funds are anticipated to support direct removal and proper disposal efforts although limited funding may also be available for assessment and capacity building for future response. All proposals must clearly describe how projects will support achieving the overall goals of the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund, including: Relative benefit to coastal communities from reducing the impact of marine debris to properties and community infrastructure, assets of economic and cultural importance, and navigational safety; and Anticipated enhancement of the ecological integrity and functionality of ecosystems and/or prevention of further harm to fish and wildlife and their habitats. Due to the relief nature of these funds, the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund will primarily fund projects that are ready for direct clean-up efforts to remove and dispose of marine debris that resulted from the storms to provide the most accelerated and comprehensive outcomes for impacted coastal resources and communities.  Eligible projects will include marine debris assessment and/or removal activities within the coastal uplands, shorelines and coastal waterways of the affected areas, with the goal of preventing further harm to economic, cultural and ecological resources of importance to impacted coastal resources and communities. Projects will be prioritized based on the targeted debris’ existing or potential impact to coastal resources and communities and to prevent further harm to sensitive habitats and species. Priority will be given to projects that have already completed a marine debris assessment to prioritize debris from the storm(s) and where hazardous materials have already been addressed. Projects that have secured all necessary permits and have mapped out all disposal and recycling logistics will also receive higher priority for funding. Assessment work may be included to locate submerged debris and help prioritize removal efforts. Community Impact and Engagement: Projects that incorporate outreach to communities, foster community engagement, and pursue collaborative management leading to measurable conservation benefits are encouraged. When possible, projects should be developed through community input and co-design processes ensuring traditional knowledge elevation. Additionally, projects should engage community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to help design, implement, and maintain projects to secure maximum benefits for communities, maintenance, and sustainability post-grant award. Grant Period Grants under this program cannot start prior to September 1, 2024, and should end no later than December 30, 2028. Geographic Focus Eligible projects will reduce marine debris from coastal habitats and nearshore waters of coastal counties in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina impacted by the 2022 hurricanes Fiona, Ian and Nicole and Typhoon Merbok. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state and territorial government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, commercial (for-profit) organizations, Tribal Governments and Organizations, or educational institutions. Tribal governments include all Native American tribal governments (both federally recognized tribes and those tribes that are not federally recognized). For-profit applicants: please note that this is a request for grant proposals, not a procurement of goods and services; see the Budget section below for specific cost considerations. As this program will award grants of Federal financial assistance funds, applicants must be able to comply with the OMB guidance in subparts A through F of 2 CFR 200 (OMB Uniform Guidance). Ineligible applicants include federal agencies or employees of federal agencies, foreign organizations, foreign public entities, and unincorporated individuals. For more information, visit NFWF.

The Alaska Community Foundation, in partnership with GCI, is proud to offer the GCI Suicide Prevention Grant Program, which will fund projects and organizations whose goal is to reduce the rates of suicide in Alaska and promote mental wellness through strengthened community and personal connections. Donor Name: The Alaska Community Foundation State: Alaska County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Organizations seeking project or operational support are encouraged to apply. Funding for capital projects is ineligible. Priority will be given to organizations that: Empower Alaskans to work together to promote community wellness. Demonstrate measurable results, accountability, cultural sensitivity, and unify communities. Will impact communities that might not have easy access to suicide prevention support programs. Funding Information Grant requests may be a minimum of $1,000 and up to $10,000; average award is approximately $5,000. Eligibility Criteria  Your organization is eligible for funding through this grant opportunity if it is one of the following: 50I (c)3 public charitable organization with 509(a)( I ), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) public charitable status as designated in your IRS Determination letter (including qualified faith-based organizations). Faith-based organization providing social services to the broader community. Federally recognized Tribes or Tribal nonprofit organizations. City governments or Boroughs. K- 12 Schools. The following are not eligible for grant funding: Individuals. State or federal government agencies. For-profit organizations or businesses. Private nonprofit organizations (those not identified in their IRS determination letter as 509(a)( I), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3). Requests for support that do not fall within the funding guidelines outlined above. Activities that improperly discriminate as to race, gender, marital status, sexual preference, age, disability, creed or ethnicity, or grants for religious indoctrination or other religious activities. For more information, visit ACF.

The Harbor Facility Grant Program provides financial assistance in the form of a 50/50 matching grant to municipally or regional housing authority owned small boat harbor facilities in the State of Alaska. Donor Name: Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities administers the Harbor Facility Grant Program. Port or barge facilities are not eligible for the grant program. This grant program is funded on an annual basis at the discretion of the Alaska Legislature and consists of two tiers, Tier I and II.   The first tier has priority and consists of “Major Maintenance and Repair” of a harbor facility that was previously owned by the state and now is municipally or regional housing authority owned. A harbor facility may only receive one Tier I grant regardless if it is for all or only a portion of that harbor facility. The boundaries of a Tier I harbor facility will be based on the Department’s 1995 Alaska Harbor Directory or as determined by the Department. Once a Tier I eligible harbor facility receives a Tier I grant, the status of that harbor facility changes from Tier I to Tier II henceforth. After all eligible Tier I projects have been selected, the Department will consider Tier II projects.  The second tier consists of all other municipally or regional housing authority owned harbor facilities, including construction of a new harbor facility. Harbor facilities which have already received a Tier I grant can only compete for Tier II grants. Tier II grants may comprise “New Construction, Expansion, or Major Maintenance and Repair” of a harbor facility. A harbor facility is eligible for multiple Tier II grants. Funding Information Minimum Award per Grant: $50,000. Maximum Award per Grant: $5,000,000. Grant Period 18 months Eligible Items Eligible harbor facility items of work are: Approach structures Pilings and anchors Access ramps and gangways Float systems for permanent and transient moorage Floating breakwaters Utility systems integral to the float systems (specifically power, lights, fresh water, sewage pump out, and fire protection) Launch ramps Seaplane floats Portable or trailer mounted equipment for firefighting, sewage pump out, oily bilge water, etc Other appurtenances necessary for the basic operation of the harbor facility Third party contracts for construction management and inspection services. For more information, visit ADTPF.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit theater organizations in select Western U.S. states for professional productions that address contemporary social issues and engage diverse audiences.

This funding opportunity supports journalists in Alaska working on in-depth projects that address underreported issues or enhance arts and culture coverage in the state.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Alaska for unique, short-term arts workshops and events that enhance community access to diverse artistic experiences.

This grant provides funding to community organizations in Soldotna for programs and events that enhance the cultural, economic, and overall quality of life for residents, particularly focusing on public welfare and community growth.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Alaska that provide unique arts workshops and experiences to residents, particularly in underserved or rural areas, enhancing access to diverse artistic disciplines.

This grant provides funding to small nonprofit organizations in Alaska to develop arts programming in underserved areas, supporting local events and initiatives that enhance cultural accessibility.

This grant provides funding to support professional performing arts projects in small Alaskan communities, enhancing cultural access and enrichment.

This grant provides financial support to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for preservation planning and educational outreach efforts related to historic sites across the United States.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Sitka, Alaska, to support educational programs and cultural initiatives that enhance community well-being and promote scientific knowledge of local ecosystems.

This grant provides $10,000 to early- to mid-career Alaska-based artists and collaboratives to support their creative projects and professional development.

This grant provides funding for projects that explore, document, and share the rich human history of Juneau, Alaska, encouraging community involvement and education through public-facing outcomes.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations to undertake projects that conserve, preserve, or restore the environment in specific regions of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.