Best Grants for Community Service Projects in Alaska

Alaska nonprofits, tribal entities, schools, and government units can receive funding to cover travel and freight for touring arts presentations and exhibitions in Alaska communities. Alaska State Council on the Arts supports theater, dance, music, visual arts, media, folk and traditional arts that build local cultural participation, especially in rural or underserved areas and multi-community tours.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and government-related organizations in Alaska can seek funding for workforce development, sustainability, and thriving community initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes. With a mission to strengthen communities, Marathon Petroleum Corporation / Marathon Petroleum Foundation provides support to eligible U.S.-incorporated groups, with preference for areas where it has significant operations and employees, including Alaska.

Tribal governments and intertribal consortia in Alaska can use this funding to plan, develop, and establish tribal environmental protection programs and climate adaptation efforts. With a mission to strengthen tribal environmental governance, Environmental Protection Agency provides support for core program capacity, baseline assessments, and initial equipment that may benefit community-focused environmental projects.

Nonprofits, government agencies, and universities supporting family or informal caregivers of adults with Alzheimer’s and related dementias in Alaska and across the U.S. can receive recognition awards of US $20,000 for existing programs. Grants from Family Caregiver Alliance honor innovative work in creative expression, increasing access and reducing stigma, and public policy advocacy.

Alaska community development and revitalization entities planning parks or outdoor recreation projects can access funding through the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program. This competitive program supports acquisition, development, and renovation of parks and outdoor recreation areas in urban, underserved communities across eligible U.S. states and territories, with awards ranging from US $300,000 to US $15,000,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3)s, eligible tribal and select government entities in Alaska planning capital construction, renovation, or property purchase can apply for M J Murdock Charitable Trust’s Strategic Projects: Capital Grants, with awards of More than US $50,000. Community service and community development projects that build long-term organizational capacity may be competitive, especially when a portion of project funding is already secured.

Alaska community development and service nonprofits needing new equipment or technology can access funding through M J Murdock Charitable Trust for capacity-building infrastructure projects, with awards typically more than US $50,000 and a 50% cost share. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities, certain government and tribal entities, working in areas like civic engagement, education, health, environment, or scientific research.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, tribal entities, and select government institutions in Alaska can seek more than US $50,000 to expand community-focused programs and staff through Strategic Project Grants. Grants from M J Murdock Charitable Trust help Alaska community development and service organizations build capacity in areas like civic engagement, education, health, environment, and scientific research on a three-year declining funding schedule.

The Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services (NANH) program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), aims to support Native American Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and organizations serving Native Hawaiians. It focuses on preserving heritage and culture through educational services, workforce development, capacity building, community engagement, and effective collections stewardship. This initiative is crucial for sustaining the rich cultural heritage of Native communities.

Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, tribal entities, and other groups delivering arts-based cultural heritage programming for children and youth can receive up to US $10,000 for projects in Alaska. With a mission to strengthen arts and cultural heritage, Alaska State Council on the Arts funds artist and culture bearer fees, supplies, travel, space, and limited administrative costs.

The ASCA: Community Arts Development Grants support Alaskan nonprofit organizations, schools, and tribal entities to foster grassroots arts activities across the state. These grants, capped at $5,000, aim to enhance public participation in the arts and assist in developing programs in underserved areas. Eligible organizations can receive one grant per fiscal year, provided their activities are open to the public and not solely for academic credit. Priority is given to volunteer-run organizations.

Alaskan municipal governments (except Anchorage) can receive funding for community development, public facilities, planning, and special economic development projects that benefit low- and moderate-income residents. Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development provides Alaska community development and revitalization efforts with competitive Community Development Block Grants of up to US $850,000 per community; nonprofits may participate as co-applicants.

Alaska municipal governments and co-applicant nonprofits seeking to improve community facilities, plan local projects, or support economic development can access funding through the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Competitive Community Development Block Grants of up to US $850,000 support projects that enhance health and safety, reduce essential service costs, and create jobs for low- and moderate-income residents.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Alaska planning historic preservation or community revitalization projects can apply for National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Trust Preservation Funds, awarding US $2,500 - US $5,000 for planning, education, and outreach. Eligible efforts may include feasibility studies, design guidelines, community forums, or innovative public education reaching new audiences.

Alaska and other U.S. nonprofit academic, research, and cultural heritage institutions preserving at-risk audio or audiovisual collections can access funding through the Council on Library and Information Resources for digital reformatting projects. Grants of US $10,000 - US $50,000 support using qualified external service providers to digitize rare, fragile, or obsolete time-based media of high scholarly value.

The Alaska Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant aims to enhance student learning beyond school hours. With approximately $3.7 million available annually, the program focuses on students from high-poverty schools, fostering academic achievement through community learning centers. These centers provide academic support and enrichment activities, such as STEM, arts, and counseling, while encouraging partnerships with local organizations to improve program quality and sustainability. Grants will be awarded for a five-year period, starting in 2025.

Libraries, health organizations, and other NNLM Region 5 member institutions in Alaska can seek funding to support professional development that strengthens health information services and community health education. The National Library of Medicine’s Network of the National Library of Medicine offers US $2,000 for U.S.-based conferences, workshops, classes, or trainings on health literacy, outreach, data science, public health, and related topics.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and equivalents serving Palmer-area communities in Alaska can seek funding for community development, health, education, outdoor, and arts projects through the Palmer Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Alaska Community Foundation. Grants of US $1,000 - US $5,000 support projects completed within one year that benefit a broad range of local residents.

Nonprofits, tribes, local governments, and faith-based groups in Alaska can fund special community projects in the central Kenai Peninsula through grants up to Up to US $3,000. With a mission to strengthen local quality of life, The Alaska Community Foundation supports initiatives in community development, education, health and wellness, arts and culture, and outdoor programs that benefit broad segments of residents.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, tribal organizations, local governments, and K–12 schools in Alaska can apply for the GCI Suicide Prevention Grant, awarding US $1,000 - US $15,000 for suicide prevention and mental wellness projects. Funding from The Alaska Community Foundation can support community-based efforts, especially in rural areas, that strengthen connections and address high-risk populations.

The Grants for Coordination of Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Child Welfare Services aim to support tribal families at risk of abuse or neglect. This funding encourages innovative projects that enhance case management, supportive services, and prevention strategies. Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribal governments and organizations. ACF prioritizes sustainable systems changes, enabling lasting improvements in the coordination of TANF and child welfare programs to better serve vulnerable tribal families.

Recent and soon-to-graduate law students and judicial clerks planning civil legal projects for low-income clients in Alaska can apply for Skadden Foundation’s two-year public interest law fellowships. Fellows work full time at a U.S.-based host organization, strengthening legal services that support community well-being and economic independence for people living in poverty.

Focused on community development, The Alaska Community Foundation invites Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofits, tribal entities, schools, faith-based groups, and local governments to apply for grants supporting programs on the Kodiak Archipelago. Awards of US $1,000 - US $3,000 can fund community service, health, education, outdoor, arts, and related local projects.

Nonprofits, tribal organizations, local governments, and faith-based groups in Sitka and nearby rural Alaska can seek funding for community-building projects, with awards up to US $5,000. Focused on community development, The Alaska Community Foundation invites proposals through the Sitka Legacy Foundation for health, education, outdoor, arts, and other local service initiatives.

Alaska rural villages and the State of Alaska seeking to improve community drinking water and waste disposal systems can access funding through USDA Rural Development. Grants support projects that remedy dire sanitation conditions, such as waterborne disease risks or lack of community-wide water and sewer, and may benefit community development and service initiatives in remote Native and rural Alaskan hubs.