Grants for Museums in Alaska

NOTE: Contact your local office to discuss your specific project. Applications for this program are accepted year round.

What does this program do?

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

What is an eligible area?

Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program.

How may funds be used?

Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Examples of essential community facilities include:

• Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
• Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements.
• Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing.
• Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment.
• Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools.
• Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment.
• Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses.

Grant Approval

Applicant must be eligible for grant assistance, which is provided on a graduated scale with smaller communities with the lowest median household income being eligible for projects with a higher proportion of grant funds. Grant assistance is limited to the following percentages of eligible project costs:

Maximum of 75 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 5,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 60 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 55 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 12,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 70 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 35 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 80 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 15 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 90 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income. The proposed project must meet both percentage criteria. Grants are further limited.

Heritage Project Grants

Heritage Project Grant funding is available to support projects that affect and/or involve Alaska Native beneficiaries of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. and further the following heritage goals of TCF:

• Support educational projects, research and development of materials on subjects that enhance the understanding and appreciation by Alaska Natives and the general public about traditional and contemporary Alaska Native history, ethnology, anthropology, philosophy, literature, the arts and other related fields.
• Promote enrichment programs about the cultural traditions of Alaska Natives of Cook Inlet Region, Inc. and encourage contemporary Alaska Native tradition bearers in pursuit of their works.
• Foster the identification, preservation, curation and interpretation of traditional and contemporary Alaska Native cultural resource materials of Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
• Encourage excellence in the development and exhibition of traditional and contemporary Alaska Native art, music, literature and other works for appreciation by the general public.
• Conduct consultation and cooperation to protect traditional and cultural values ascribed to Alaska Native lands in the Cook Inlet Region, Inc.
• Promote cooperation and involvement of Alaska Natives within the Cook Inlet Region, Inc. as well as with civic and private organizations to accomplish The Foundation’s heritage goals.

NOTE: If this is your first time applying to The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Art & Culture grant program, please contact TCF in advance of the deadline to speak with us about your proposed grant project. 

The CIRI Foundation administers the A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Art & Culture Grants for non-profit and tribal organizations throughout Alaska working with Alaska Native artists to produce tangible artwork.

A Journey To What Matters Project Grant

To perpetuate and promote the unique artistic and cultural traditions of Alaska Native peoples, The CIRI Foundation has developed the A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Art & Culture Grant. Grant funding is available to support projects that affect and/or involve Alaska Native communities and further the following goals of The Foundation:

• Promote intergenerational transference of knowledge of Alaska Native artistic and cultural practices. 
• Support Alaska Native Artists.

Education Project Grant funding is available to support projects that further the educational goals of The CIRI Foundation. These include but are not limited to the promotion of quality learning and educational experiences for Alaska Native people as outlined:

• Promote quality of learning and educational experiences for Alaska Natives from the early learning years through adulthood, recognizing the importance of lifelong learning.
• Examine educational issues and opportunities and to identify possible solutions to eliminate those factors that hinder successful achievement by Alaska Natives in their educational pursuits.
• Foster educational enrichment programs that improve the quality of life for Alaska Natives.

NOTE: In 2022, the Art Acquisition Fund was renamed the Alaska Art Fund (AAF) to account for the expanded nature of the program.

Rasmuson Foundation Overview

Mission:

To promote a better life for Alaskans.

Primary program areas of interest:

Arts & culture, health, social services, housing, promotion of philanthropy

Grantmaking philosophy:

The Foundation acts as a catalyst for change; helps Alaskans help themselves; and embraces the diversity within Alaska.

Grantmaking goals:

Civic responsibility and individual philanthropy amongst Alaskans; economic possibilities for Alaskans; educational opportunity for Alaskans; healthy Alaska families; quality health care for Alaskans; strong leaders; vibrant arts and culture in Alaska.

About Museums Alaska

Museums Alaska supports museums and cultural centers in Alaska and enhances public understanding of their value. Museums Alaska maintains a central office to receive and disburse information about museums, cultural centers and their activities, and to collect and share professional opportunities. Museums Alaska organizes an annual conference to focus on the needs of Alaska museum professionals, volunteers, and their institutions. Museums Alaska currently administers two grant programs funded by the Rasmuson Foundation: the Art Acquisition program and the Collections Management program.

Art Acquisition Fund

The Art Acquisition Fund supports grants for Alaska museums to purchase work by practicing Alaska artists. Initiated in 2003, the project is intended to (1) support living, practicing Alaska artists through museum purchases, (2) enhance the permanent art collections of Alaska museums and (3) encourage Alaska museums to develop formal collections policies. The Foundation also provides a regular venue for contemporary Alaska art in the Foundation office in Anchorage.

Rasmuson Foundation Overview

Mission:

To promote a better life for Alaskans.

Primary program areas of interest:

Arts & culture, health, social services, housing, promotion of philanthropy

Grantmaking philosophy:

The Foundation acts as a catalyst for change; helps Alaskans help themselves; and embraces the diversity within Alaska.

Grantmaking goals:

Civic responsibility and individual philanthropy amongst Alaskans; economic possibilities for Alaskans; educational opportunity for Alaskans; healthy Alaska families; quality health care for Alaskans; strong leaders; vibrant arts and culture in Alaska.

About Museums Alaska

Museums Alaska supports museums and cultural centers in Alaska and enhances public understanding of their value. Museums Alaska maintains a central office to receive and disburse information about museums, cultural centers and their activities, and to collect and share professional opportunities. Museums Alaska organizes an annual conference to focus on the needs of Alaska museum professionals, volunteers, and their institutions. Museums Alaska currently administers two grant programs funded by the Rasmuson Foundation: the Art Acquisition program and the Collections Management program.

Collections Management Fund

This fund was established in 2013 to develop collections management practices through professional expertise, training, and conservation materials and supplies. The program seeks applications from any department for projects that have an emphasis on collections—whether that be the behind-the-scenes work of preserving, cataloguing, and storing the collections, or public facing work of exhibitions, education, and programming.

About Museums Alaska

Museums Alaska is a statewide professional association that strengthens museums and cultural centers and enhances public understanding of their value through trainings, networking, professional development opportunities, grant programs, and advocacy. Museums Alaska provides services to museums, cultural organizations, and professionals across Alaska. Membership is open to all people interested in preserving and sharing Alaska’s heritage. 

Collections Management Fund

The Collections Management Fund, established in 2013, builds on the success of the Alaska Art Fund (previously the Art Acquisition Fund). The new fund was created by Rasmuson Foundation and is managed by Museums Alaska. The program responds to needs of the Alaska museum community to enhance collections management through professional expertise, training, and access to conservation materials and supplies.

Starting in 2022, the program was updated to allow ANY department to submit an application requesting funds for a collections-focused project—whether that be collections management, exhibitions, education, or programming.

General Information

For nearly 39 years, First Nations Development Institute (First Nations), a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has worked to strengthen American Indian economies to support healthy Native communities by investing in and creating innovative institutions and models that strengthen asset control and support economic development for American Indian people and their communities. First Nations began its national grantmaking program in 1993. Through 2018, we have successfully managed 1,547 grants totaling more than $32.2 million to tribal and community institutions across Indian Country.

Because Native cultures and languages are, collectively, key assets for all Native communities, First Nations has long included a concentration on supporting their preservation and proliferation. Since 2002, First Nations has supported tribes and Native communities working to maintain and strengthen cultural connections, identities and practices maintained through language, land/place, food, traditional art mediums and other forms of cultural expression.

Grant Overview

First Nations launched its Native Language Immersion Initiative (NLII) in 2017, with the first of three funding cycles awarded in 2018. We are pleased to announce this request for proposals (RFP) for the third cycle of funding.

During this funding cycle, First Nations will award 6 to 10 grants ranging from $45,000 to $75,000 to build the capacity of and directly support Native-controlled nonprofit organizations and tribal government programs actively supporting Native language immersion programs.

Languages are the vehicle through which cultural traditions are passed and values – such as respect for elders, community, and the Earth – are taught. Research has also shown that learning a language increases the emotional health and social development of children. Fortified by learning their Native language, Native youth build a positive cultural identity and resiliency to face life’s struggles.

Since the NLII began, more than 30 Native organizations and tribes have received over $4 million in funding to build the capacity of and directly support their Native language immersion programs. In addition to direct financial resources, this initiative seeks to build a dialogue and community of practice among Native language immersion grantees and momentum for supporting Native language programs.

Funding under this grant will support capacity-building activities designed to improve and enhance the language immersion program’s ability to achieve its mission. This may include curriculum development, technology access, instructional courses and materials, mentorships, teacher training and other kinds of organizational infrastructure.

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.