Supporting Diverse Voices

ACF supports diverse voices — Alaska Native communities, fishermen, hunters, businesses, and other stakeholders — in solving the state’s toughest conservation issues.

Alaska Native Fund

Alaska Native Fund Framework

ACF launched the Alaska Native Fund in 2011, to advance Alaska Native priorities for protecting lands, waters and traditional ways of life. The fund, designed by an Alaska Native Steering Committee, is a result of ACF conversations with Alaska Native leaders about their environmental concerns. In 2009, ACF hosted a seminar in partnership with Oak Foundation, International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, Native Americans in Philanthropy, and Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development to discuss those concerns and potential partnerships for a more sustainable Alaska. Read the report detailing the issues explored at that convening. Accordingly, this is the first grantmaking program at ACF to be guided by an Indigenous framework for impacting critical environmental issues. The inaugural round of funds will be awarded in late 2011 with recommendations being made by the Steering Committee. The fund will support Indigenous Knowledge in efforts to promote food security and sustainable economies, connect the emphasize importance of environmental health, and address the impacts of climate change. In addition to grant making, a 2012 Gathering of Alaska Native non-profit organizations and foundations will be held to build understanding of shared conservation goals and leverage additional support for Alaska Native projects. The fund’s launch comes at a time when philanthropic support for Native American causes is declining according to a recent study by Native Americans in Philanthropy. Read the press release for more information about the launch of this innovative fund.

Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska

Scott Hed, Director of Sportsman's Alliance for Alaska.

Alaska is globally recognized among fishing and hunting enthusiasts. Many of these sportspersons are alarmed by threats to Alaska, including the Bristol Bay region, Tongass National Forest, and Teshekpuk Lake in the Western Arctic, yet many are not actively involved in conservation advocacy. ACF’s Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska (SAA) is playing an important role in ensuring this important constituency and associated industries are aware and mobilized to act on behalf of critical Alaska conservation efforts.