Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Alaska

The Community Assistance Program (CAP) provides vital funding to Alaska's boroughs, cities, and unincorporated communities. Established in 2017, CAP supports essential public services and allows recipients to prioritize their funding needs. Eligible applicants include boroughs, cities, Native Village Councils, non-profits, and reserves. This program plays a crucial role in enhancing community welfare and ensuring that local governments can effectively serve their populations.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program in Alaska aims to provide financial assistance to local communities for essential public facilities and planning activities that enhance health and safety. With a maximum grant of $850,000 per community, it supports initiatives that create jobs for low and moderate-income residents. In the 2024 cycle, approximately $2.5 million is available to eligible municipal governments, excluding Anchorage, and non-profits may partner as co-applicants.

The Designated Legislative (DL) Grants program allows communities and organizations in Alaska to seek funding through their state senators and representatives for capital projects. Funding is appropriated at the legislature's discretion and requires gubernatorial approval. Eligible projects include feasibility studies, construction, building improvements, design, land acquisition, and equipment repairs. For more information, contact your state legislator to initiate the funding process.

The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused Collaborations Program (RII-FEC) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by fostering partnerships among government, higher education, and industry. This program supports interdisciplinary teams of researchers to tackle significant challenges in STEM fields, promoting diversity and broadening participation. By integrating Minority-Serving Institutions and early-career faculty from underrepresented backgrounds, RII-FEC seeks to build sustainable STEM capacity and drive impactful discoveries across regions.

The Battlefield Preservation Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that preserve battlefields and related historic sites. This funding encourages planning and educational efforts, particularly those that engage new audiences in preservation activities. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits in specified states. Grants can be used for staff support, consultant fees, and educational materials. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for funding, ensuring strong community involvement in preservation efforts.

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 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 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 Rasmuson Foundation's Community Support Grants provide funding for capital projects and initiatives that have a significant community impact, with awards ranging from $35,000 to $250,000. Eligible organizations must have a history of successful collaboration and project management. Applications are reviewed quarterly for capital projects and biannually for programmatic requests. Organizations can only hold one active grant at a time, ensuring focused community support and funding efficiency.

Alaska nonprofit organizations providing community services or capacity-building programs can seek Key Bank Foundation’s invitation-only Community Grants, offering US $10,000 - US $25,000 for initiatives aligned with neighbors, education, and workforce priorities. Programs that enhance educators’ skills or support teacher-focused continuing education within these priorities may be eligible in communities where KeyBank has a retail presence.

The Arts Educator Fellowships, supported by the Rasmuson Foundation and administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, provide grants up to $3,000 for K-12 teachers in Alaska. These fellowships aim to enhance teachers' artistic skills and professional opportunities, allowing them to immerse in creative work. Eligible applicants can pursue various activities, including workshops and residencies, and may propose community projects post-fellowship, receiving additional funding for these initiatives.

Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act was established in 1964 to provide recreational opportunities for America’s communities. The intent was to provide a consistent source of funding for the development of local parks, playgrounds, and other recreationalspaces. The fund does not use any taxpayer dollars; rather, it utilizes earnings from offshore oil and gas leases to fund local recreation projects.

Program Goals

• Meet State and locally identified public outdoor recreation resource needs to strengthen the health and vitality of the American people.
• Increase the number of protected State and local outdoor recreation resources and ensure their availability for public use in perpetuity; and
• Encourage sound planning and long-term partnerships to expand the quantity and to ensure the quality of State and local outdoor recreation resources needed.

LWCF assistance can be used to:

• Acquire lands and waters or interests in lands and waters for public outdoor recreation.
• Develop basic outdoor recreation facilities to serve the public; and
• Provide major renovation work for existing outdoor recreation facilities, including replacement; or
• A combination of acquisition and development or renovation.

The Connie Boochever Emerging Artist Fellowship Fund honors the legacy of Connie Boochever, an influential advocate for the arts in Alaska. This fellowship aims to support and recognize Alaskan Emerging Artists of exceptional talent, particularly in the fields of Performing Arts, Theatre, and Music. Established to promote the importance of the arts, it encourages creativity and supports artists who are developing their voices and taking risks in their artistic endeavors.

The Franz Bakery Foundation Grant supports local charitable organizations focused on family support, youth development, and hunger reduction in areas served by Franz Bakery. With an average grant amount of $3,000, the Foundation aims to foster respect, equity, and inclusion within communities. Eligible applicants must be 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofits located in specific states and align with the Foundation's mission. Organizations can reapply annually, although applications do not roll over to the next year.

The Grants for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages program is designed to provide essential drinking water and waste disposal systems to remote Alaskan villages. By addressing dire sanitation conditions, the program ensures access to clean water and improves public health in communities that are often isolated. Funded by USDA Rural Development, these grants cover up to 75% of project costs, promoting sustainable infrastructure in areas facing unique challenges due to geography and climate.

The Sabbatical Research and Education Grant, offered by Western SARE, enables faculty worldwide to collaborate with farmers and researchers in the Western U.S. This program focuses on conducting innovative research and educational outreach in underserved regions, with an emphasis on unexplored topics. Grants up to $75,000 are available for projects spanning one year, promoting agricultural sustainability and community involvement.

The Book Hook Fund, established by a supporter of Alaskan Brewing Co, aims to enhance library resources in small rural communities across Alaska. With its inaugural grants, including $1000 to Tri Valley Library in Healy, the fund has significantly contributed to expanding children's literature collections. This initiative fosters literacy and learning in communities with populations of 5,000 or less, ensuring that access to quality reading materials is available to all.

The Ernest Morgan Memorial Scholarship, managed by CommunityGiving, supports central Minnesota student athletes and leaders to pursue higher education outside their home states. This scholarship aims to expand students' horizons and experiences, with a total award of $5,000 available. Open to high school seniors from specific schools, applicants are encouraged to apply online and demonstrate their leadership or athletic skills. This initiative enhances educational opportunities and fosters personal growth among local youth.

To preserve and interpret Alaska's rich maritime heritage the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the State Libraries, Archives, and Museums (LAM) announce the launch of the Alaska Maritime Heritage Preservation Program. This program is designed to protect Alaska's maritime resources and advance public awareness of Alaska's nationally significant maritime properties, collections, traditional skills, and knowledge.

The Alaska Maritime Heritage Preservation Program will offer Alaskans two new grant opportunities for preservation and education projects.

Applicants for preservation grants can request from $15,000-$75,000 and applications for education grants can request from $10,000-$50,000.

Eligible projects must support the preservation, education, or interpretation of Alaska’s maritime heritage by addressing approved resource categories and demonstrating clear public benefit. Applications should reflect strong community value and alignment with program goals.

Projects must address one or more of the following resource categories:

• Maritime heritage collections
• Traditional maritime skills
• Maritime education activities
• Historic maritime properties (meeting National Register significance criteria)

Applications must also demonstrate:

• How proposed activities directly benefit one or more eligible resource categories
• Community and heritage value, supported through letters or documentation
• Clear alignment with program intent, including preservation, documentation, and education/interpretation of maritime heritage

The Alaska Office of History and Archaeology offers Historic Preservation Grants to support the rehabilitation of historic properties. Eligible applicants include individuals, non-profits, and local governments. The program provides up to 60% funding with a 40% cost-sharing match for various projects such as surveys, inventory, and planning. All work must adhere to The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties, ensuring the preservation of the property's historic character.

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 WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects program invites eligible entities to secure funding for initiatives that enhance water resource management across various sectors, including conservation, infrastructure improvement, and watershed restoration. Priority is given to projects that collaboratively address community needs and yield significant environmental benefits. This funding opportunity aligns with federal priorities aimed at optimizing resource use and improving grant oversight, as outlined in recent executive orders.

The Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Development Phase (COBRE-D) program aims to enhance biomedical research capacity in IDeA states, which historically receive low NIH funding. By providing critical support for early-career investigators and essential infrastructure, COBRE-D facilitates a long-term vision for institutions. This initiative not only supplements start-up packages for new hires but also establishes research facilities and improves administrative services, paving the way for less-resourced institutions to transition into the COBRE E/S program.

The Vocational Fund for Alaska's Future Grants support projects aimed at developing a skilled workforce in Alaska's natural resource industries. Eligible applicants, including nonprofits and educational institutions, can apply for funding to enhance skills in areas like plumbing, welding, and engineering. Preference is given to initiatives benefiting rural communities and sectors such as oil and gas. This grant fosters career awareness and skill acquisition, promoting economic growth in Alaska.

The GCI Suicide Prevention Grant, offered by The Alaska Community Foundation in partnership with GCI, aims to reduce suicide rates in Alaska by supporting projects that promote mental wellness and community connections. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, tribal entities, and schools. The grant prioritizes initiatives that address generational trauma, veteran connectedness, and youth engagement, particularly in rural areas. Funding will enhance community support systems and encourage sustainable programs.

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.