Free funder guide · Alaska · Last checked 27 September 2026
Which Alaska environmental funders actually accept applications
49% of the larger private foundations in Alaska have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 15 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in Alaska that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
Alaska is a small field: only 43 private foundations here report $1 million or more in assets, and 21 of them tick the box, the lowest share of any state in my count. Most of the open Alaska foundations that fund conservation also gave to a church, a YMCA or another faith-based group in their latest filing, so this list leans on the state's trail grant program, the Alaska Conservation Foundation, national programs with Alaska money, and community foundations.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Alaska, 21 of the 43 private foundations with $1 million or more in assets tick the box on their tax return saying they don't accept unsolicited requests. That is 49%.
That leaves 22 larger Alaska foundations that say they will read an application. It is a lower share of closed doors than in Washington (74%, 533 of 718) and Montana (65%, 113 of 173), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with an Alaska address on the IRS Exempt Organizations Master File (September 2026 release) reporting assets of $1 million or more, checked against its most recent e-filed Form 990-PF (tax years 2023 to 2025, all but one for 2024 or 2025). Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Washington and Montana. Counting them too gives 49% (22 of 45).
What the checkbox means
One small box on the tax return tells you whether to bother.
Every private foundation files Form 990-PF with the IRS each year. Part XIV, line 2 of that return has a checkbox. A foundation that ticks it is telling the IRS, in writing, that it chooses its grantees itself. A proposal sent to it is usually wasted work.
"Check here if the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."Form 990-PF, Part XIV, line 2
A foundation that leaves the box empty has to fill in lines 2a to 2d instead: who receives applications, what form they should take, any deadlines, and any limits on who or what it funds. For many small family foundations, those four lines are the only published guidelines they have.
The box does not tell you whether a foundation funds your kind of work. For that, read line 3a, the list of grants it actually paid. Check both before you write a letter of inquiry. Any foundation's return can be read free on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
15 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in Alaska.
Every funder below is secular, says it accepts applications (on its website or its tax return), and has paid grants to environmental or conservation groups in its most recent filing. Government programs are the exception: they file no tax return. Community foundations are listed by the program that fits environmental groups. Grant examples come from each funder's latest IRS filing unless the funder's own site is named.
Verified date on the funder's own site on 27 Sept 2026Expected based on last cycle; next not yet postedRolling applications any timeFiling only no website; from the tax return, confirm firstCheck site next date not posted; open their page
Statewide and regional public grantmakers
01
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Alaska Fish and Wildlife Fund
Washington, DC · North Slope, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Cook Inlet, Mat-Su and Kodiak, Chugach and Tongass
On-the-ground fish and wildlife conservation and the monitoring that informs it: Pacific salmon habitat restoration and fish passage, watershed assessments, and shorebird and migratory bird work in four focus regions. Nonprofits, tribes and local governments can apply.
Typical grant
Generally $50,000 to $200,000, one to two years, with at least 1:1 non-federal match (2027 request for proposals). 2025 grants (its grant slate): Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association $286,900, Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition $199,500, Tanana Valley Watershed Association $98,900, Alaska Wildlife Alliance $53,900.
Next deadline
2027 round: full proposals due October 28, 2026, 7:59 p.m. Alaska time Verified. Awards about March 2027.
How to apply
Online full proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system. Questions go to the Director of Alaska and Pacific Islands Programs named in the request for proposals.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: National Coastal Resilience Fund
Washington, DC · coastal watersheds, including all of coastal Alaska
Nature-based projects that protect coastal communities and habitat from storms, flooding and erosion: community capacity and planning, site assessment and design, and restoration. Alaska has its own NFWF contact, and remote communities are named as a case the program adjusts for.
Typical grant
Average awards of $100,000 to $1,500,000 for planning and design, larger for construction (2026 request for proposals). Alaska grants in NFWF's filing for the year to September 2025, which does not name the program: Alaska Wildlife Alliance $148,258 (coastal dunes and flood resilience planning), Chugach Regional Resources Commission $167,616 (hybrid reef design), Organized Village of Kake $95,220 (living shoreline design).
Next deadline
About March 2027 for pre-proposals Expected. The 2026 round took pre-proposals by March 31, 2026 and invited full proposals by June 24, 2026; the 2027 request for proposals is not posted yet.
How to apply
Pre-proposal in Easygrants; full proposals by invitation.
National Forest Foundation: Matching Awards Program
Missoula, MT · Chugach and Tongass national forests and adjacent public lands
Stewardship and community engagement projects on national forest land: watershed and habitat restoration, trails and recreation, youth and volunteer crews. Alaska projects must be on or benefit the Chugach or Tongass.
Typical grant
1:1 non-federal cost share required (its site). Alaska grants in its filing for the year to September 2025, which does not name the program: Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition $200,000, Alaska Geographic Association $34,914, Alaska Trails $6,000.
Next deadline
The 2026 second round ran May 27 to July 9, 2026 and has closed. No 2027 dates are posted Check site.
How to apply
Online application during an open window, following the round's request for proposals.
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities: Multi-Use Trails Program
Juneau · statewide
Alaska's share of the federal Recreational Trails Program, run by the Department of Transportation since October 2025 (it moved from State Parks). Competitive grants to build, maintain and restore motorized and non-motorized trails and trailheads, buy trail equipment, and pay for trail-related environmental protection, safety and education. Nonprofits, including environmental and conservation groups, are eligible.
Typical grant
Up to $300,000 for non-motorized and mixed-use trail projects and $400,000 for motorized ones; the grant covers up to 90% of costs, with at least a 10% non-federal match in cash or in-kind (2026 program manual). The 2025 round (run by State Parks) funded 21 projects with $2.5 million, including Homer Cycling Club $200,000 (Cottonwood Eastland trail system), Valdez Adventure Alliance $129,532 (Shoup Bay Trail) and Sitka Trail Works $87,393 (Mosquito Cove Trail renovation).
Next deadline
Fiscal 2027 round: applications open August 19 to October 30, 2026 Verified. Each applicant must post a public notice of its project by September 29, 2026 and keep it up for 30 days. Later rounds should follow the same autumn pattern.
How to apply
Online through the program's Submittable portal, with the budget template, environmental review checklist and proof of the public notice. The applicant training recording and FAQ are on the program page; questions go to [email protected]. Grants repay costs after they are spent, and an active SAM.gov registration is required.
Alaska Conservation Foundation: Rapid Response and Alpenglow grants
Anchorage · statewide
Alaska's conservation community foundation. Bart Koehler Rapid Response grants pay for advocacy, legal, scientific and outreach work on an urgent threat or opportunity with a decision point. Alpenglow grants help small Alaska groups with training, travel, facilitation and collaboration. Neither pays ongoing operating costs.
Typical grant
Rapid Response up to $15,000; Alpenglow $500 to $2,000 (its guidelines). Rapid Response grants in its filing for the year to June 2025: Alaska Wildlife Alliance $21,000, Sierra Club Alaska $15,000, The Alaska Center $15,000.
Next deadline
None; both programs review applications as they arrive Rolling. Rapid Response decisions come within about 12 business days.
How to apply
Online application through its grants portal. For Rapid Response, confirm fit with the Director of Grants and Programs before applying.
Small grants, set up with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, for wildlife viewing and education: interpretive signs and guides, curriculum, trail building and maintenance, viewing facilities, research, and purchase of critical habitat. No operating support.
Typical grant
Up to $5,000 (its site).
Next deadline
Every two years. The last cycle ran July 11 to August 29, 2025; next about summer 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application through its grants portal when the cycle opens; reviewed jointly with Fish and Game.
Alaska Community Foundation: Anchorage Trail Care Grants
Anchorage · Anchorage Bowl, Girdwood to Eklutna
Summer maintenance or construction of soft-surface trails on public land in Anchorage where public budgets do not cover the work. One project per application.
Typical grant
Up to $3,000 (its site). Its 2025 awards went to five community-led projects, including Chugach Park Fund volunteer trail workdays; amounts are not posted.
Next deadline
2027 round: February 15 to March 31, 2027, 11:59 p.m. Verified.
How to apply
Online application through the Foundation's grants portal; its standard eligibility rules apply.
An Alaska Community Foundation affiliate with one competitive cycle a year for Cordova nonprofits. "Active enjoyment of the natural environment" is one of its listed needs, and new applicants are encouraged.
Typical grant
2025 grants (its site) ran $1,000 to $3,000, including Cordova Historical Society $3,000 (Breakwater trailhead building plans). Earlier rounds: Copper River Watershed Project $2,600 (aluminum recycling), Prince William Sound Science Center $2,000 (Copper River stewardship program).
Next deadline
2026 cycle: August 24 to September 30, 2026 Verified. Next cycle about late August 2027.
How to apply
Online application through the Alaska Community Foundation grants portal.
Year-round Quick Response Grants for small requests and Impact Grants for larger projects, open to nonprofits working on the southern Kenai Peninsula. Recent larger grants include trail and outdoor recreation projects.
Typical grant
Quick Response up to $5,000; Impact Grants over $5,000 (its site). Its filing for the year to June 2025 lists Homer Cycling Club $100,000 (Eastland Trails) and Kachemak Nordic Ski Club $25,220.
Next deadline
None Rolling. Quick Response requests are reviewed monthly; Impact Grants take several months.
How to apply
Quick Response: online application. Impact Grants: contact staff first, then a letter of inquiry; full application by invitation.
Limited discretionary grants, taken year-round, in areas that include parks, trails, recreation, youth and education, with priority for Juneau and Southeast Alaska. It also runs named funds with their own windows.
Typical grant
Environmental grants in its 2024 filing: Tidelines Institute $50,000 (conservation program), Juneau Mountain Bike Alliance $20,000 (trail support), Discovery Southeast $15,000, Southeast Alaska Land Trust $11,750.
Next deadline
Discretionary grants: none Rolling. It encourages applying to its named programs first.
How to apply
Its grant guidelines and application, or an existing proposal emailed to [email protected]. For a larger project, contact the Executive Director first.
An Alaska Community Foundation affiliate with one annual cycle for Fairbanks and North Pole nonprofits; "the great outdoors" is one of its named areas.
Typical grant
Its 2025 awards totaled $45,000 (its site), including Calypso Farm and Ecology Center $4,500 and Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks $2,250 (trail grooming at Birch Hill).
Next deadline
The 2026 cycle ran August 3 to September 7, 2026 and has closed; next about August 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application through the Alaska Community Foundation grants portal.
An Alaska Community Foundation affiliate with an annual competitive cycle for Sitka nonprofits and tribal and municipal bodies; "the great outdoors" is one of its named areas.
Typical grant
Grants of $500 to $5,000 in recent years (its site), including Sitka Trail Works $4,000 (youth program, 2023) and Sitka Conservation Society $1,000 (2024).
Next deadline
The 2026 cycle ran August 24 to September 21, 2026 and has closed; next about late August 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application through the Alaska Community Foundation grants portal.
Small grants for projects in rural Alaska communities, run by the Rural Alaska Community Action Program. Environment (sustainable community solutions, recycling, cleanups) and food security are two of its five focus areas. It does not usually fund salaries.
Typical grant
$500 to $25,000, usually $2,500 to $10,000 (its site). Examples in its filing for the year to September 2025: Sitka Conservation Society $12,100 (youth summer camp), Renewable Energy Alaska Project $11,000 (weatherization tools), Salamatof Tribe $9,848 (educational farm).
Next deadline
Twice a year: April 30 and November 30. Next: November 30, 2026 Verified.
How to apply
Its application form, IRS determination letter and a one- to two-page proposal letter, uploaded through the form on its apply page.
San Francisco, CA · national, with several Alaska grants
Funds the environment, peace and arms control, reproductive rights and civil rights. Its Alaska grants go to wildlife, watershed and public-lands advocacy groups. It does not usually fund land purchase, trail building, parks or recycling, and warns that its budget for new applicants is very limited.
Typical grant
Its 2024 filing shows 92 grants totaling $1,975,000. Alaska examples: Alaska Wildlife Alliance $15,000, Cook Inletkeeper $15,000, Southeast Alaska Conservation Council $15,000, Trustees for Alaska $15,000.
Next deadline
Twice a year, by March 1 and September 1 (its standing schedule) Verified. Next: March 1, 2027.
How to apply
Application form, a narrative of four pages or less (the site says five in one place), board list, budgets, tax exemption letter and latest annual report or audit, by email.
It is not exhaustive and it is not a ranking. Deadlines and guidelines change, so open each funder's own page before you start. Grants are competitive, and past grant sizes describe what a funder gave, not what it will give you. I list secular funders only.
The full version
Want this done for your own organization?
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Email me your organization's name, rough budget and what you'd like funded. You'll get a written reply within two business days.
You fill in a short intake questionnaire, then answer one round of written follow-up questions.
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