Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Alaska

Alaska Community Foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation connects people who care to the causes that make a difference and matter most to them. We encourage and nurture philanthropy through building and managing permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities, and providing donors with flexible giving options that are strategic to their philanthropic objectives. ACF also manages the Pick.Click.Give. program.

Mission: Inspiring the spirit of giving and connecting people, organizations, and causes to strengthen Alaska’s communities now and forever.

The Alaska Community Foundation runs competitive grant cycles throughout the year that are open to eligible local nonprofits and other organizations serving the public good.

Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a five-year initiative focused on strengthening rural communities by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem. Through innovative system-wide change, the RHTP invests in the rural healthcare delivery ecosystem for future generation.

Alaska’s RHTP will advance statewide health system transformation by funding projects that expand access to care, improve health outcomes, strengthen workforce capacity, modernize technology, and advance financially sustainable health care payment models.

Funding will support community-based and system-level projects aimed at improving access, workforce capacity, and care delivery statewide. The program is intentionally structured to promote fair access, a range of approaches, and geographic balance, ensuring that organizations across Alaska, regardless of size, location, or prior funding experience, can participate meaningfully.

The program is administered at the federal level by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and led at the state level by the Alaska Department of Health. The Department of Health serves as the lead for program design, policy direction, funding decisions, and overall stewardship of the initiative.

To move resources to grantees and partners quickly and effectively, the Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) is managing the grant process, facilitating grant review, and providing technical assistance to RHTP grantees.

Program Priorities

RHTP funding supports projects aligned with Alaska’s six RHTP initiatives. A detailed description of the initiatives and potential uses of funds can be found on Alaska’s Department of Health RHTP webpage.

• Healthy Beginnings: strengthens maternal and child health as a foundation for healthy families.
• Health Care Access: expands and sustains essential primary, behavioral, oral, specialty, emergency, home and community-based and post-acute care health services across Alaska’s rural communities.
• Healthy Communities: invests in enhancing access to preventive and primary care services that enable early chronic disease management, expanding the use of consumer-facing digital tools and population health clinical infrastructure, and promoting healthy lifestyles with culturally appropriate community education.
• Pay for Value: Fiscal Sustainability: incentivizes a shift from traditional volume-based reimbursement models to build the long-term financial stability of rural providers through voluntary innovative care and payment models that increase care coordination, lower costs and improve health outcomes.
• Strengthen Workforce: builds a resilient rural health care workforce through pipeline, recruitment, training and retention strategies, alongside wraparound housing and child care supports to help providers remain in rural communities.
• Spark Technology and Innovation: harnesses data and technology to expand the use of consumer wearables and digital devices, enhance telehealth, foster appropriate use of AI, strengthen cybersecurity, facilitate data sharing and system interoperability, and test new delivery modalities using emerging technologies.

RHTP Grant Opportunities

Recognizing the interconnected nature of these priorities, Alaska’s RHTP includes four funding pathways:

• Readiness Grants – early-stage support to address foundational capacity gaps, including planning, feasibility, partnership development, and community engagement.
• Planning Grants - investments to support structured planning and design for clearly defined health system interventions.
• Implementation Grants – will fund projects that are fully prepared to execute and deliver high-impact work with demonstrated feasibility.
• Future Targeted Innovation Grants - which will enable the Department of Health to advance fully developed, high-impact projects. Funding opportunities through this pathway are expected to occur at a later date.

The Alaska Mining Impacts and Prevention Fund, established by the Alaska Conservation Foundation, aims to mitigate the effects of hardrock mining in Alaska. It prioritizes projects that address mining impacts comprehensively, supporting advocacy, policy improvement, and stronger regulations. Eligible non-profits can seek funding for community organizing, legal assistance, and outreach initiatives, fostering a collaborative approach to protect Alaska's landscapes and communities from mining-related challenges.

The ASCA: Artists in Schools Grants aim to enhance the arts curriculum in Alaska's public and private schools through artist residencies. Grants of up to $5,000 for individual schools and $15,000 for districts support various arts experiences, professional development, and community engagement. Schools must match funding, ensuring sustainability and collaboration. Eligible applicants include public school districts, private nonprofits, and parent groups, fostering a rich artistic environment for students.

The Alaska State Council on the Arts offers Youth Cultural Heritage Project Grants to support organizations delivering cultural heritage programs for children and youth in Alaska. Funded by the Rasmuson Foundation, these grants aim to enhance cultural knowledge, foster creative engagements, and promote cross-cultural understanding. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and tribal entities. The program prioritizes cultural heritage groups facing barriers to funding, ensuring diverse representation within Alaska's communities.

The ASCA Youth Cultural Heritage Fast Track Grants support Alaskan organizations that provide cultural heritage programming for children and youth. Funded by the Rasmuson Foundation, this initiative aims to strengthen cultural knowledge and self-awareness among young Alaskans through arts-based activities. Grants of up to $3,000 are available for eligible applicants, including nonprofits and schools, to engage youth with artists and culture bearers, promoting cross-cultural understanding and community engagement.

The Alaska State Council on the Arts offers Cultural Collaborations Access Grants to enhance children's engagement with the arts. These grants, up to $1,000, are aimed at supporting short-term, high-quality arts activities for K-12 students during school hours. The program encourages collaboration and cultural heritage development, making arts accessible and enriching for Alaskan youth. Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the planned activity to ensure adequate review and support.

The Alaska State Council on the Arts offers Cultural Collaborations Project Grants, providing matching awards of up to $6,000 to support high-quality arts and cultural programs for youth in Alaska. These grants emphasize skill acquisition and participation outside the school year. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, schools, and tribal entities, with a focus on projects that foster cultural heritage and artistic engagement. Partnerships are encouraged, enhancing community involvement in the arts.

The Patterson Foundation offers Assistance Dog Program Grants to support organizations providing service animals to veterans and individuals with disabilities. Funding is available for projects that expand capacity, personnel costs related to puppy training, and program support aimed at improving client experiences. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) non-profits and can request grants up to $35,000 for capital projects or $10,000 for program support. Applications are accepted through a two-step process.

The ASCA: Harper Arts Touring Fund, managed by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, supports diverse arts initiatives in Alaska. Established in 2002, it provides grants for travel and freight expenses related to touring performances and exhibitions. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and government units. The fund promotes community engagement through arts presentations that reach underserved populations. It aims to enhance access to quality cultural experiences across Alaskan communities, fostering local artist development and audience growth.

The Helen Walker Performing Arts Grants, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, support performing arts initiatives across Alaska. Named after notable arts advocate Helen A. Walker, this program encourages projects that reach underserved communities and promote artistic heritage. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, government units, and tribal entities. Funding can cover diverse performances and workshops, fostering accessibility and innovation in the arts. This initiative aims to enhance cultural engagement and community involvement in the performing arts.

Greater Opportunities for Affordable Living (GOAL)

The GOAL program provides grants, federal tax credits and zero-interest federal loans to developers and project sponsors who build affordable rental housing for low- to moderate-income families and seniors.

The rating and award criteria outlined herein has been prepared by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) to establish the criteria which will be used to award Greater Opportunities for Affordable Living (GOAL) Program funds. This program contains four primary funding sources:

• Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC),
• Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds,
• Senior Citizen’s Housing Development Fund (SCHDF)*
  • Additional capital development funds available for senior housing development, provided by AHFC’s funding partners, will be synonymously treated as SCHDF requests for the purpose of this Qualified Allocation Plan.
• National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF).
  • In years where a sub-grant is awarded to the Municipality of Anchorage from AHFC, NHTF awards made through the GOAL program will only be issued to proposals located outside of the Municipality of Anchorage.
• Other sources that may become available through new programs or partner investments.

The Martha Levensaler Leadership Fund honors Martha's legacy as a committed leader in Alaska's conservation community. It provides grants between $500 and $3000 to support training and skill-building initiatives for volunteers, particularly focusing on grassroots engagement. The Fund encourages the development of leadership skills among youth and emerging leaders, ensuring a sustainable future for conservation efforts in Alaska. This initiative aims to empower individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing environmental stewardship.

The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in Alaska support rural communities in preparing for or recovering from emergencies that jeopardize safe drinking water access. Eligible applicants include public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes. Funds can be utilized for constructing waterlines or sources, with grants up to $1 million available. This program aims to restore access to clean water, ultimately benefiting both households and local businesses in affected areas.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering assistance under the Contaminated Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Lands Assistance Program. This initiative aims to support Tribal entities in Alaska in addressing contamination issues on lands conveyed through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native regional and village corporations, and nonprofit associations. The program emphasizes the importance of safeguarding health and subsistence resources impacted by hazardous substances.

The RMEF Grant Program lies at the core of advancing our mission.

RMEF established the program in 1986 to provide financial and logistical support to projects that align with our priorities and goals. Grant funds raised by RMEF members, volunteers and generous donors from across the country translate into significantly more conservation accomplishment when matched with partner funds. The RMEF Grant Program also aims to build recognition for RMEF’s work, grow engagement, and boost local fundraising efforts.

Governed by clear guidelines and criteria, the RMEF Grant Program seeks to foster meaningful collaborations and long-term impacts in the conservation of natural resources and outdoor traditions. Grant project partners include federal, state, local, and tribal wildlife and land management agencies, private landowners and local stakeholders, sportsmen and women, and conservation organizations, universities, foundations and the outdoor industry. Eligible projects primarily focus on habitat stewardship, land conservation and access, wildlife management, and hunting heritage.

We support organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)3 entity, federal, state, local, or tribal government entities, sportsmen’s organizations, or educational institutions. All applicants must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS. RMEF does not offer grants to individuals.

Wildlife Management and Research

RMEF funds wildlife management and research to keep big game healthy and thriving, including disease surveillance, big game-friendly fencing, road management, and scientific studies that expand our understanding of big game habitat, movement, interactions, and overall herd health.

RMEF’s 2026 priorities include:

• Research on migration + connectivity, critical habitat + nutrition, big game population trajectories, challenges to big game populations, and big game management solutions
• Big Game-Friendly Fencing

The Alaska Literary Awards, established in 2014 by the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation, support literary artists in poetry, fiction, and more. With annual awards of $5,000, the program aims to recognize quality work from Alaska residents. Applicants must be over 18 and not enrolled in full-time studies. The awards allow recipients the freedom to use the funds as they wish, fostering creativity and growth in Alaska's literary community.

The Master Artist and Apprentice Grant, offered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, aims to preserve traditional Alaska Native art forms through apprenticeships. This program supports a one-on-one learning experience between an apprentice and a master artist in various art disciplines, such as visual arts, crafts, and storytelling. Priority is given to cultural traditions, ensuring funds primarily support the master artist's fee, thereby fostering the growth of Alaska Native arts in the community.

Undergraduate and graduate students in Alaska history can receive $5,000 for college studies through the THS Patricia Roppel Scholarship, supporting accredited programs in Alaska history. With a mission to honor historian Patricia Roppel, The Alaska Community Foundation provides Alaska educators-in-training and history-focused students with funding, with preference for Southeast Alaska or mining, fisheries, or timber history.

The ACF: Social Justice Grants support organizations working to eliminate systemic discrimination and promote equal rights in Alaska. This fund prioritizes initiatives that address root causes of social injustice, encourage lasting mindset shifts, and enhance community empowerment. Eligible applicants include small organizations with a focus on social justice, providing both unrestricted operating support and project-specific funding. The foundation emphasizes equity, ensuring no discrimination based on protected statuses, and honors Tribal authority in grant distributions.

The Alaska Conservation Foundation's Rapid Response Grants support immediate conservation actions to tackle unforeseen environmental opportunities or threats. These grants aim to enhance environmental policies and protection efforts across Alaska, ensuring sustainable development and stronger regulations. By fostering conservation philanthropy and directing resources to key initiatives, ACF envisions a thriving, diverse, and well-protected Alaskan environment. The ongoing application process allows for swift responses to urgent conservation needs.

The Camp Initiative Grant Program, a collaboration between the Rasmuson Foundation and The Alaska Community Foundation, aims to enhance access to camps and youth programs in Alaska. This initiative addresses financial barriers, offering scholarships and support for organizations to ensure equitable access to outdoor experiences. With a maximum grant amount of $45,000, it encourages diverse participation and aims to foster essential skills among Alaskan youth, promoting lifelong outdoor engagement.

The Murdock College Research Program supports innovative natural sciences research at private undergraduate colleges in the Pacific Northwest. It emphasizes faculty-student collaboration, enhancing educational methods through inquiry-based teaching. Proposals are assessed on scientific merit and the investigator's qualifications, with a focus on projects that significantly contribute to fundamental knowledge in the field. This program encourages active participation from undergraduate students as research associates, fostering their development and engagement in scientific inquiry.

The Partners in Science Grant Program, funded by the M J Murdock Charitable Trust, connects secondary school science teachers with research mentors to enhance their teaching and research skills. This innovative initiative offers renewable three-year grants to universities, supporting partnerships that foster professional growth through hands-on research experiences. Teachers engage in two annual conferences, allowing them to share findings and best practices, ultimately enriching the educational landscape and improving student engagement in scientific inquiry.

The Research Start-Up Grants for New Science Faculty program, funded by the M J Murdock Charitable Trust, provides financial support to help new faculty positions in natural sciences at private colleges in five states. Grants match institutional funds 1:1, up to $36,000, to assist with start-up costs, including cash and in-kind support, ensuring institutions can attract qualified candidates while enhancing research capabilities.

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities designs, constructs, operates and maintains the state’s transportation infrastructure systems, buildings, and other facilities used by Alaskans and visitors. These include more than 5,600 miles of paved and gravel highways; 237 airports; 839 bridges; over 800 public facilities; 16 harbors; and a ferry system covering 3,500 nautical miles serving 33 coastal communities.

49 USC 5311 Non-Urban Formula Grants

Non-Urbanized Formula Program grants provide transit capital, operating assistance, and program administration through the States, to non-urbanized areas (less than 50,000 in population) for public transportation. State agencies, local public bodies and agencies thereof, private-nonprofit and private for-profit (inter-city only) organizations and operators of public transportation services are eligible to apply.

Title 49 USC § 5311(d) authorizes states to use funds for the provision of local, general public transportation service in rural areas.

5339 Bus & Bus Facilities Capital Fund - Notice of Funding Opportunity

Purpose

The purpose of the Section 5311 program is to support general public transportation in rural areas. This is complemented by 5339 Bus & Bus Facilities capital funds. The goals of the program are to:

• Encourage the maintenance, development, improvement, and use of public transportation systems
• To encourage and facilitate the most efficient use of all federal funds used to provide passenger transportation in rural areas through the coordination and consolidation of programs and services
• Assist in the development and support of intercity bus transportation

Eligible projects include transit capital, operating assistance, and program administration through the States, to nonurbanized areas (less than 50,000 in population) for public transportation.

The Gino Watkins Memorial Fund & Edward Wilson Fund Grants support polar expeditions that enhance knowledge and safety in the Polar Regions. They welcome applications from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing youth engagement. The Edward Wilson Fund, administered by the Scott Polar Research Institute, particularly favors expeditions focusing on biological and ecological studies. Grants may be awarded for suitable projects, with a preference for those that train and involve young people, helping them gain valuable experience.

Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofits and eligible government entities can seek funding for workforce development, sustainability, and thriving community initiatives, including STEM education and youth development. Marathon Petroleum supports programs across its marketing area, with preference for communities near its operations; inquiries may lead to an invitation-only grant application process.