2018 Grants Awarded

Alaska Conservation Foundation awarded 79 grants totaling $1.41 million in fiscal year 2018* to support efforts across Alaska.

Alaska Defense Fund Grants

This fund, created in November 2016, intends to support critical, front-line conservation work in Alaska, and responds to emerging threats to Alaska’s public lands and waters. Grants were awarded totaling $123,000 to:

  • New Venture Fund  $20,000
    Washington, DC
    Support for the Alaska Heritage Campaign
  • Stand for Salmon  $50,000
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for Stand for Salmon Campaign
  • Southeast Alaska Conservation Council  $10,000
    Juneau, AK
    General Support
  • Cook Inletkeeper  $5,000
    Homer, AK
    General support
  • Northern Alaska Environmental Center  $10,000
    Fairbanks, AK
    General support
  • Renewable Energy Alaska Project  $10,000
    Anchorage, AK
    General support
  • Sitka Conservation Society  $18,000
    Sitka, Ak
    General Support

Agency Fund Grants

Alaska Conservation Foundation holds various endowment funds, included Agency Funds, that generate a spendable balance each year. This balance may be requested as a grant award by the agency the fund was created to support, and may be awarded annually. Grants were awarded totaling $3,207 to:

Northern Guardian Agency Fund

  • Northern Alaska Environmental Center  $3,207
    Fairbanks, AK
    Northern Guardian Fund payout

Alaskans for Energy Freedom Campaign Grants

ACF supports the efforts of a diverse coalition working to prevent the impacts that developing Alaska’s massive coal resources will have on the Earth’s climate and on Alaska’s lands, waters and people. Grants were awarded totaling $107,000 to:

  • Stand for Salmon  $50,000
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for the effort to update Alaska’s fish habitat permitting laws to strengthen protections for fish habitat.
  • Native American Rights Fund  $57,000
    Boulder, CO
    Support for work with the Tyonek Tribe to protect the Chuitna.

Conservation Achievement Awardee Grants

Each year, Alaska Conservation Foundation honors members of our community who go above and beyond to protect Alaska. Certain awards allow the awardee to suggest organizations to receive a small amount of grant funding from Alaska Conservation Foundation.

  • Alaskans for Wildlife  $300
    Fairbanks, AK
    Recommendation from Celia Hunter Conservation Achievement Award Winner
  • Northern Alaska Environmental Center  $400
    Fairbanks, AK
    Recommendation from Celia Hunter Conservation Achievement Award Winner
  • Studebaker Family Fund (ACF)  $300
    Anchorage, AK
    Recommendation from Celia Hunter Conservation Achievement Award Winner

Discovery Grants

Grant awards to support small, grassroots organizations working to advance the conservation movement in Alaska. Grants were awarded totaling $13,760 to: 

  • Sitka Conservation Society  $2,000
    Sitka, AK
    Communications support for 50th anniversary of organization
  • Southeast Alaska Land Trust  $2,000
    Juneau, AK
    Support for leadership development training.
  • Northern Research Technical Assistance Center dba NORTAC  $1,760
    Roxborough, CO
    Support for Seabird Youth Network Intern Program.
  • The Alaska Center Education Fund  $2,000
    Anchorage, AK
    Bringing Climate Justice leader Reverend Yearwood to Alaska
  • Renewable Juneau  $2,000
    Juneau, AK
    Support for a climate convening and racial equity training
  • Kachemak Bay Conservation Society  $2,000
    Homer, AK
    Impact engagement project focused on the Kachemak Bay State Park
  • Sitka Conservation Society  $2,000
    Sitka, AK
    Storytelling on the Tongass

Donor Advised Fund Grants

Alaska Conservation Foundation holds endowment funds, including Donor Advised Funds, which generate a spendable amount each year. Donor advisors may recommend grant awards within the spendable amount aligned with the purpose of the fund and Alaska Conservation Foundation’s mission and vision. Grants were awarded totaling $108,741 to: 

Anonymous

  • Alaska Wildlife Alliance  $9,000
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for the protection of wolves and wolf habitat

Deborah Williams Fund

  • National Wildlife Refuge Association  $500
    Washington, DC
    Support for the protection of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.

Dick Erman Fund

  • The Alaska Center  $1,822
    Anchorage, AK
    Dick Erman Fund payout
  • The Alaska Center  $1,731
    Anchorage, AK
    Dick Erman Fund payout

Jeanne Williams Donor Advised Fund 

  • The Alaska Center Education Fund  $1,000
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for AYEA fall fundraiser
  • National Wildlife Refuge Association  $2,500
    Washington, DC
    Support for the protection of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
  • Alaska Wilderness League  $1,000
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for protecting the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Martha Levensaler Leadership Fund

  • The Alaska Center Education Fund  $2,500
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for AYEA and the Conservation Summit
  • The Alaska Center Education Fund  $2,600
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for AYEA and the Conservation Summit

Studebaker Family Donor Advised Fund

  • The Alaska Center Education Fund  $3,200
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for Trailside Discovery Camp and Alaska Youth for Environmental Action
  • Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies  $3,300
    Homer, AK
    Support for environmental education programs
  • Discovery Southeast  $3,300
    Juneau, AK
    Support for environmental education programs
  • Friends of Creamer’s Field  $3,200
    Fairbanks, AK
    General support for environmental education and Camp Habitat
  • Wrangell Institute for Science and Education  $3,300
    Wrangell, AK
    Support for environmental education programs

Wayburn Endowment

  • Earthjustice  $15,000
    Juneau, AK
    Support for legal defense of Alaska’s public lands and waters
  • Trustees for Alaska  $63,788
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for legal defense of Alaska’s public lands and waters

Ted Smith Conservation Internship Program Grants

ACF’s popular Conservation Internship Program offers students from Alaska and around the country interested in conservation valuable work experience at host organizations throughout the state. Grants were awarded totaling $55,440 to:

  • The Alaska Center Education Fund   $5,040           
    Anchorage, AK  
    Conservation internship for Adriana Long
  • Alaska Community Action on Toxics   $5,040              
    Anchorage, AK  
    Conservation internship for Jing Li
  • Alaska Longline Fisherman’s Association   $5,040          
    Sitka, AK  
    Conservation internship for Jessica Menges
  • Alaska Marine Conservation Council   $5,040           
    Anchorage, AK  
    Conservation internship for Erica Stroh
  • Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies   $5,040          
    Homer, AK  
    Conservation internship for Brittni Teresi
  • Cook Inletkeeper   $5,040             
    Homer, AK 
    Conservation internship for Corinne Fischer
  • Discovery Southeast   $5,040            
    Juneau, AK    
    Conservation internship for Addam Spaulding-Astudillo
  • Kenai Watershed Forum   $5,040
    Soldotna, AK  
    Conservation internship for Terese Schomogyi
  • Sitka Conservation Society   $5,040   
    Sitka, AK 
    Conservation internship for Carly Dennis
  • Southeast Alaska Conservation Council   $5,040  
    Juneau, AK      
    Conservation internship for Haley Kardek
  • Yukon River InterTribal Watershed Council   $5,040
    Anchorage, AK 
    Conservation internship for Daniel Ahrens

Rapid Response Grants

Alaska Conservation Foundation’s Rapid Response grants enable organizations to respond quickly to fast-breaking, unforeseen Alaska environmental threats of statewide or national significance. Grants were awarded totaling $85,385 to:

  • Trout Unlimited  $10,000
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for organizing work around the EPA comment period on the proposed Pebble Mine
  • Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association  $10,000
    Sitka, AK
    Safeguarding the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act
  • Eyak preservation Council  $1,125
    Cordova, AK
    Support to oppose the Shepard Point Road
  • The Alaska Center Education Fund  $3,500
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for efforts to protect Bristol Bay
  • Northern Alaska Environmental Center  $3,000
    Fairbanks, AK
    Support to organize southwest Alaska around house bill 199
  • The Alaska Center Education Fund  $2,760
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for mobilizing Alaskans to protect the Arctic Refuge
  • Stand for Salmon  $10,000
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for ballot initiative signature gathering
  • Southeast Alaska Conservation Council  $5,000
    Juneau, AK
    Travel to DC to defend Tongass
  • Alaska Wilderness League  $10,000
    Anchorage, AK
    Legal support to prevent seismic exploration of the Arctic Refuge
  • Cook Inletkeeper  $10,000
    Homer, AK
    Organizing the Cook Inlet Region around potential impacts from the Pebble Mine
  • Trout Unlimited  $10,000
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for organizing the hunting and angling community during the Pebble Mine scoping period
  • Northern Alaska Environmental Center  $10,000
    Fairbanks, AK
    Support to organize Interior Alaska around the proposed Donlin Mine

Sustainable Southeast Partnership Grants

ACF supports the Sustainable Southeast Partnership, an innovative network in Southeast Alaska working to achieve ecological, cultural and economic vitality for the region, an approach critical to the long-term health of the Tongass National Forest and to building resilience to the impacts of climate change. Grants were awarded totaling $896,313 to:

  • Renewable Energy Alaska Project  $35,000
    Anchorage, Ak
    Support for the Home Energy Leader Training Program that is offered through the Sustainable Southeast Partnership
  • SEAWEAD  $55,000
    Gustavus, AK
    Support for the Sustainable Southeast Partnership and the creation of an Indigenous Guardians Network of Alaska that restores an indigenous approach to natural resource management
  • Spruce Root, Inc.  $15,000
    Juneau, AK
    Support for business planning and loan assistance workshops on behalf of Prince of Wales Island and the Path to Prosperity Sustainable Business Development Competition
  • Hoonah Indian Association  $40,810
    Hoonah, AK
    Support for the Hoonah Community Catalyst as part of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership
  • Hydaburgh Cooperative Association  $40,810
    Hydaburgh, AK
    Support for the Hydaburg Community Catalyst as a part of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership
  • Klawock Cooperative Association  $40,810
    Klawock, AK
    Support for the Klawock  Community Catalyst as part of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership
  • Organized Village of Kasaan  $40,810
    Ketchikan, AK
    Support for the Kasaan Community Catalyst as part of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership
  • Renewable Energy Alaska Project  $35,000
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for the Home Energy Leader Training Program to be implemented by the Energy Systems Regional Catalyst, as a part of Sustainable Southeast Partnership
  • Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition  $2,500
    Wrangell, AK
    Support for SSP projects developed by Food Sustainability Catalyst focused on the mobile greenhouse and communications
  • Spruce Root, Inc  $211,854
    Juneau, AK
    Support for the SSP Program Director, Regional Sustainability Catalyst and Regional Catalyst for Economic Development, through the Sustainable Southeast Partnership
  • The Nature Conservancy  $83,723
    Juneau, AK
    Support for the Natural Resources Regional Catalyst and catalyst-led activities, as a part of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership
  • Renewable Energy Alaska Project  $70,563
    Anchorage, AK
    Support for Regional Catalyst for Food Sustainability as a part of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership
  • Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition  $46,354
    Juneau, AK
    Support for Regional Catalyst for Food Sustainability as a part of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership
  • Sitka Conservation Society  $93,389
    Sitka, AK
    Support for the SSP Sitka Community Catalyst and Regional Catalyst for Communications
  • Yakutat Tlingit Tribe  $40,810
    Yakutat, AK
    Support for the SSP Community Catalyst hosted by Yakutat Tlingit Tribe
  • Organized Village of Kasaan  $3,070
    Kasaan, AK
    General support
  • Organized Village of Kake  $40,810
    Kake, AK
    Support for the SSP Community Catalyst hosted by Kake

Watchable Wildlife Conservation Trust Grants

ACF supports projects that enhance sustainable wildlife viewing, promote wildlife education and conserve the biological diversity of Alaska. Grants were awarded totaling $10,590 to:

  • Alaska Songbird Institute  $2,500
    Fairbanks, AK
    Support for Alaska swallow monitoring project
  • The Conservation Fund  $5,000
    Eagle River, AK
    Support for Potter Marsh expansion project
  • Discovery Southeast  $3,090
    Juneau, AK
    Support for Tracking Flycatchers program

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*7/1/17 thru 6/30/18