Best Grants for Charities in Alaska

Alaska 501(c)(3) charities supporting children, education, and health and human services can seek monetary program funding through Costco Foundation’s charitable contributions. Grants prioritize programs near Costco locations that demonstrate clear community need, measurable outcomes, collaboration, and diversified financial support, offering operating or program funds rather than capital projects, equipment, or individual assistance.

Alaska 501(c)(3) charities with innovative human and social services, health, environment, arts, or community programs can seek funding to address social problems in new ways. Focused on innovation, Creag Foundation invites smaller or evolving nonprofits to submit a letter of inquiry for invitation-only grant opportunities supporting new or under-addressed social issues.

Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations using technology for crisis response, education access, or economic empowerment can apply for Cisco Systems Foundation’s Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Eligible programs must primarily serve economically underserved communities, and Alaska charities may benefit if their innovative, tech-enabled solutions address these priority social challenges.

Nonprofit cultural institutions in Alaska and across the U.S. can seek funding for arts, science, and arts education programs that create lasting impact, especially for youth. William Randolph Hearst Foundation supports established 501(c)(3) organizations with audited expenses over $2 million, offering program, capital, and limited general or endowment support for museums, performing arts, artist training, and STEAM initiatives.

Mellon Foundation

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation was established in 1969 to strengthen, promote, and defend the arts and humanities as essential to democratic societies. Throughout our history, Mellon has held true to our founding commitments, secure in our conviction that the arts and humanities are essential to the health of a multivocal and democratic society. From our earliest days, we have aspired to build partnerships with our grantees, offering expertise and counsel in addition to funding

In recent years, Mellon has expanded on these core principles by actively prioritizing social justice across all of our grantmaking. This strategic shift builds on our long history of advocating for and investing in expanded access to higher education, humanities, and the arts, and addressing historical inequities in these fields. Our vision for Mellon’s future includes a focus on justice for all in all that we do—rooted in the Foundation’s long-held historic belief in the impact and power of the arts and humanities. At Mellon, we make grants to actively support communities and ideas that unlock the power in the arts and humanities that helps connect us all.

Humanities in Place Grant Program

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation actively works with our grantee partners and we are deeply immersed in the fields in which we invest. Our grants are designed to activate the spirit of learning through the creation and sharing of bold new ideas and the inspiration felt in art, expression, spaces, and scholarship. 

From Alaska to Guam and the Borderlands to the Midwest, America is a constellation of unique heritages, traditions, and stories. In communities of all sizes, people are striving to expand the ways we can understand and authentically engage with the history that is all around us. Our Humanities in Place grants fund place keepers, artists, institutions, and storytellers who shine a spotlight on historically overlooked sites, and the communities and stories that surround them. In doing so, they help broaden our shared understanding and open new paths to discover what unites us, what makes us unique, and what we can learn from one another.

Nonprofit charities and other 501(c)(3) organizations can seek funding for health, education, and community programs from the Labcorp Charitable Foundation, including those serving Alaska. Focus areas include food pantries, healthcare for underserved populations, STEM education, and healthy lifestyle initiatives, so Alaska charities working in these areas may be eligible.

Nonprofits, social enterprises, schools, and public entities working on education, children’s health, or family economic stability in Alaska may be eligible for project or scale-up funding. With a mission to expand opportunities for low-income urban children, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants over More than US $50,000 across the U.S., India, and South Africa.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations serving Alaska can apply for the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust’s flexible program support. Eligible charities must use awarded funds within the U.S. and be tax-exempt under federal law, with Alaska-focused charities potentially benefiting from this national funding opportunity.

Alaska 501(c)(3) charities seeking support for community programs, basic needs, workforce development, arts, or environmental initiatives may be eligible for this funding. Grants from Bank of America Charitable Foundation help organizations advance economic mobility and social progress through housing, jobs, hunger relief, cultural programming, and diversity and inclusion efforts across local communities.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Eligible 501(c)(3) charities, tribal entities, and select government institutions in Alaska can apply for M J Murdock Charitable Trust’s capital grants, with awards more than US $50,000 for construction, renovation, property purchase, and major facility upgrades. Projects should advance leadership priorities in areas like arts, education, health, community services, or environmental stewardship and have at least 40% of capital raised.

Alaska charities and other eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, tribal entities, and select government institutions can access funding for new equipment and technology infrastructure through the M J Murdock Charitable Trust’s Strategic Projects program, with awards typically more than US $50,000. Projects must primarily benefit the Pacific Northwest and support areas like education, health, community services, arts, environment, or scientific research, with grantees covering at least 50% of purchase costs.

Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofits, tribal entities, and select government institutions seeking to expand programs or add key staff can access funding through the M J Murdock Charitable Trust. Grants support capacity-building projects in areas like arts and culture, education, community services, health, environmental stewardship, and scientific research, typically structured on a declining three-year basis, for requests over US $50,000.

The Nordstrom Community Grant focuses on supporting youth and families by providing over $1 million in grants annually. It aims to assist grassroots organizations that address essential community needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, as well as creating opportunities for economic mobility through mentorship and workforce development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in areas where Nordstrom operates. Applications are encouraged for those meeting these criteria.

Charitable 501(c)(3) organizations in Alaska seeking program support in education, social services, health care, civic and cultural initiatives, or environmental projects can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $25,000. Grants from Dr Scholl Foundation help primarily U.S.-based charities fund one year of project-focused work rather than general operating support.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charities working in areas like youth services, education, basic human needs, animal welfare, environment, or arts and culture, including those in Alaska, can apply for Hansen Family Foundation grants of US $1,000 - US $10,000. Smaller organizations with budgets under $1 million and overhead below 25% may be especially competitive.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

O’Reilly Automotive Foundation provides Alaska charities and other U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with project, general operating, and capital support for community-focused work. Funding prioritizes programs in economic stability and mobility, workforce development, health and social services, and disaster relief in communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts has a business presence.

Alaska charities and other eligible U.S. nonprofits, public schools, tribes, and governmental entities serving children under 18 can access funding through the Food Justice for Kids Prize to advance food access and nutrition. Newman’s Own Foundation offers up to US $100,000 for programs in Indigenous food justice and nutrition education or school food across the U.S. and territories, including Alaska.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) charities in Alaska working on youth development, food security, housing, or environmental stewardship can apply for funding from the Chick Fil A Foundation. The True Inspiration Awards provide US $30,000 - US $350,000 for programs supporting underserved youth, addressing hunger, strengthening families, and caring for the planet.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

Alaska 501(c)(3) charities conducting cardiology, lipid, or organ transplant research, or advancing social enhancement for children and disadvantaged communities, can access funding through the Robert B McMillen Foundation. Eligible nonprofits may benefit if they focus on medical research, reverse scholarships, or building a more equitable, just, and thriving society, especially with arts-based approaches.

Charitable 501(c)(3) organizations, Tribes, local governments, schools, and faith-based groups serving the Kodiak Archipelago can seek US $1,000 - US $3,000 for local programs and projects. Focused on broad community needs, The Alaska Community Foundation supports health, education, outdoor recreation, arts and culture, wellness, and community development initiatives across Alaska through this Kodiak Community Foundation program.