Opportunity Grants

Harbor seal by National Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin.

ACF Opportunity Grants are for discrete, short-term projects beyond foreseeable organizational operating expenses that seek to address an emerging threat or opportunity. These projects should be completed within six months and the maximum request is $2,500.

Grant requests are by invitation only, on a monthly cycle. If you believe your project would fit within our guidelines (see below), please contact ACF program staff via e-mail or phone to discuss your project before submitting a proposal.

Grantmaking Focus

Priority Areas of Interest

Climate Change
Energy
Marine Conservation
Mining
Rainforest Conservation

Compelling projects will tangibly realize one or more of the following priorities:

Broaden the base of support for conservation
Lead to long-term sustainability of the organization and/or conservation movement
Address conservation issues from a statewide, regional, or big-picture perspective
Leverage a relatively small investment for a potentially large return
Improve an organization’s ability to advocate for priority issues

Ineligible Requests

Operating expenses, including existing staff salary and overhead
Projects outside Alaska
Expenses/Activities that have already occurred
Land acquisition
Equipment purchases
Capital campaigns
Literary and/or film projects
Endowments
Scholarships
Special events
Research

Who May Apply

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations (preferred)
Non-incorporated organizations
Individuals

How to Apply

After receiving an invitation to submit a proposal from ACF program staff, please complete the Opportunity Grant Application. Proposals must be submitted via e-mail in MS Word format to grants@akcf.org with “Opportunity Grant Proposal” and the month submitted for consideration in the subject line (e.g., Opportunity Grants Proposal – November 2008).

When to Apply

The deadline for Opportunity Grants is by the close of business on the 15th of each month. If the 15th falls on a holiday or weekend, the deadline will be extended to the next business day. Decisions will be announced by the 30th of each month.

Reporting Requirements

ACF requires that all grantees submit an evaluation at the end of the grant term. Please complete the attached Opportunity Grant Report. Reports must be submitted via email in MSWord format to grants@akcf.org with “Final Report - Opportunity Grant” in the subject line. If the grant has not been completed by the end of the grant term, please contact the appropriate ACF program officer.

This final report assists ACF not only in learning about the grant’s outcomes, but also in helping ACF raise funds by sharing your stories with our funders. As such, we appreciate the timely, concise, and candid evaluation of your ACF grant.