Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Alaska

Alaska nonprofits hosting fundraising events can access in-kind transportation and sponsorship support through Alaska Airlines Foundation, particularly those serving youth success, career readiness, care and belonging, environmental sustainability, or community resiliency. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in Alaska should submit one-time requests at least six weeks before their event.

Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, tribal entities, and government units can receive up to US $3,000 for arts-based youth cultural heritage activities in Alaska. Alaska State Council on the Arts supports programs engaging children and youth with artists and culture bearers, covering costs like stipends, supplies, food, travel, space, and related materials.

Mat-Su Health Foundation

Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) provides funding to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su Borough. With attention to health equity, MSHF seeks to ensure that all persons have the opportunity for a healthy life.

MSHF supports organizations, collaboratives, and initiatives that empower people; employ creative responses to problems; address root causes; build upon community strengths and partnerships; demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness to reduce health disparities; and offer measurable improvements in health and wellness. 

Healthy Impact Grants

Healthy Impact grants are for projects over $25,000 dedicated to improving the health and wellness of people living in the Mat-Su Borough.

What We Fund

• Program and service costs that improve health and social drivers of health
• Nonprofit financial sustainability and operating support
• Capacity building and technical assistance to support nonprofit capacity and leadership development
• Capital projects, improvements, and equipment
• Consideration can be given to capital projects outside of the Mat-Su Borough, but only for FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) when there is a demonstrable health and wellness benefit to Mat-Su residents
• Policy change

Mat-Su Health Foundation

Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) provides funding to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su Borough. With attention to health equity, MSHF seeks to ensure that all persons have the opportunity for a healthy life.

MSHF supports organizations, collaboratives, and initiatives that empower people; employ creative responses to problems; address root causes; build upon community strengths and partnerships; demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness to reduce health disparities; and offer measurable improvements in health and wellness. 

Technical Assistance Grants

Access the expertise you need to be most effective.

Technical Assistance (TA) grants help nonprofits access specialized skills and services to operate effectively and sustainably. TA grant funding can support a range of organizational needs, such as board development and financial management; fundraising and communications; and retreat facilitation and strategic planning; among others. 

Grantees can identify their own consultants they would like to hire, or they can select from Mat-Su Health Foundation’s network of consultants. Grantees can use awarded funding to contract with consultants at an agreed-upon rate. 

What We Fund

• Program and service costs that improve health and social drivers of health
• Nonprofit financial sustainability and operating support
• Capacity building and technical assistance to support nonprofit capacity and leadership development
• Capital projects, improvements, and equipment
• Consideration can be given to capital projects outside of the Mat-Su Borough, but only for FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) when there is a demonstrable health and wellness benefit to Mat-Su residents
• Policy change

Mat-Su Health Foundation

Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) provides funding to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su Borough. With attention to health equity, MSHF seeks to ensure that all persons have the opportunity for a healthy life.

MSHF supports organizations, collaboratives, and initiatives that empower people; employ creative responses to problems; address root causes; build upon community strengths and partnerships; demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness to reduce health disparities; and offer measurable improvements in health and wellness. 

Target Wellness Grants

Target Wellness grants provide up to $25,000 for projects dedicated to improving the health and wellness of people living in the Mat-Su Borough.

What We Fund

• Program and service costs that improve health and social drivers of health
• Nonprofit financial sustainability and operating support
• Capacity building and technical assistance to support nonprofit capacity and leadership development
• Capital projects, improvements, and equipment
• Consideration can be given to capital projects outside of the Mat-Su Borough, but only for FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) when there is a demonstrable health and wellness benefit to Mat-Su residents
• Policy change

Nonprofit organizations in Alaska can seek support for community and economic development, low-income family services, health and wellness, and higher education initiatives. Northrim Bank supports these efforts to strengthen local communities, which may include operating needs tied to programs that improve economic vitality and quality of life.

Organizations in Alaska that serve people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance-related disorders, Alzheimer’s and related dementia, or traumatic brain injuries can apply for the AMHTA Partnership Grant to support specific projects and programs. Grants from Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority can fund pilot initiatives, capital construction, inclusive services, and prevention projects with clear, measurable impact on Trust beneficiaries.

Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, tribal entities, and other groups delivering arts-based cultural heritage programs for children and youth can seek up to US $10,000 for project costs in Alaska. With a mission to foster cultural heritage and creative development, Alaska State Council on the Arts funds artist fees, supplies, travel, space, and limited administrative expenses.

Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofits that run youth development and leadership programs can access funding through Lithia Motors’ Lithia 4Kids initiative to enrich the lives of children and their families. Organizations in eligible Alaska communities may use support to strengthen local programs that help young people build confidence and make positive choices.

Alaska nonprofit organizations, schools, local government agencies, and tribal entities can fund short-term arts workshops in Alaska through the Workshop Grants, with awards of US $500 - US $1,500 for instructor fees and travel. Grants from the Alaska State Council on the Arts support visual, performing, traditional, media, craft, literary arts, and arts administration workshops open to the public.

Public transportation providers and eligible nonprofits in rural Alaska can receive funding for transit capital, operating assistance, and program administration. Grants from Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities help Alaska rural development and transit organizations maintain, develop, and improve bus and bus facilities serving non-urbanized communities, with approximately US $4,000,000 available statewide.

Nonprofit and public transportation providers in Alaska’s rural communities can seek funding for transit capital, operating assistance, and program administration under the 49 USC 5311 Non-Urban Formula Grants program. With a mission to support rural public transportation, Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities offers approximately US $10,845,973 for services in areas under 50,000 population.

Nonprofit organizations and eligible public bodies in Alaska can receive US $448,315 - US $2,883,019 to provide transportation services for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries. Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities supports human service transportation, which may help nonprofits cover operating costs for accessible transit programs.

Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofits at high risk of terrorist or extremist attack can seek up to US $200,000 for physical security upgrades and related preparedness activities. Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management supports planning, equipment, training, and coordination projects that harden soft targets and improve community resilience across the state.

Alaska 501(c)(3) charities, tribes, local governments, and K-12 schools offering camps or youth programs can receive up to US $45,000 to support scholarships, staff, and program costs. The Alaska Community Foundation and Rasmuson Foundation fund fees, special expenses, and counselor training to expand equitable, statewide access to youth camp experiences.

Alaska nonprofits, tribal entities, and select government institutions seeking new equipment or technology can access funding through M J Murdock Charitable Trust; awards are typically more than US $50,000 for capacity-building projects. Eligible 501(c)(3)s must cover at least 50% of purchase costs and work in areas like education, health, arts, environment, or community services.

Alaska 501(c)(3) arts nonprofits and tribal entities with ongoing arts programs can apply for the Alaska State Council on the Arts’ Operating Support Grant, awarding up to US $21,000 for core artistic and administrative costs. Funding can cover salaries, travel, promotion, production, and a substantial portion of yearly program activities.

Alaska 501(c)(3) nonprofits running cultural, environmental, or arts and language preservation programs can apply for grants of more than US $5,000 to support work completed within one year. Focused on community identity and natural and cultural preservation, Alaska Airlines Foundation prioritizes organizations with strong partnerships and sustainable, high-impact programs, including those serving Alaska Native communities.

BIPOC-led nonprofit organizations in Alaska running youth athletics, culture, or education programs for ages 6–18 can use this funding for general operating support. With a mission to expand opportunities for youth and advance racial equity, Charlotte Y Martin Foundation prioritizes rural groups and programs in STEAM learning, cultural expression, sports, and college access.

Alaska nonprofit professional theatres producing contemporary plays on current social issues can seek production and change-capital support, including US $10,000 - US $25,000, to strengthen their work and sustainability. Focused on theatre, Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation invites eligible 501(c)(3) organizations with $1M+ revenue and at least two years of programming to apply.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

Nonprofit presenters, government units, higher education institutions, and tribal governments in Alaska can receive US $2,000 - US $3,000 to present touring performers and literary artists through the TourWest program. Creative West funds artist fees, facilities, accessibility, marketing, travel, and related administration, with priority for smaller-budget and rural organizations expanding arts access in underserved communities.

Homeless Assistance Program (HAP)

AHFC coordinates the Homeless Assistance Program (HAP) with funding partners, including the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. The HAP was established in 1993 and assists Alaskans who are homeless or, at-risk, to access emergency services including emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and eviction prevention. HAP funds support projects that address a specific need in the community. In addition to a reliable funding source for operating expenses, these programs work within the continuum of care to assist families to obtain or retain safe and stable housing. The Homeless Assistance Program serves all populations, including youth under 18, youth 18-24, families, veterans and single adults.

Currently, the HAP serves Alaskans in 16 communities through partnerships with 36 nonprofit agency partners.

Grant Funding Availability

Subject to funding availability, applications for HAP program resources typically open at the start of the State Fiscal Year (July).

Rurally located public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes in Alaska facing emergencies that threaten safe drinking water can apply for USDA Rural Development’s Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants, with awards up to US $1,000,000 for water source and transmission projects. Rural Alaska nonprofits managing community water systems may benefit when emergencies disrupt service.

Alaska rural communities, local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes can access funding for water, wastewater, solid waste, and stormwater infrastructure projects through USDA: Rural Development. This program supports acquisition, construction, or improvement of systems, plus related costs like legal and engineering fees, land and water rights, permits, equipment, and start-up operations and maintenance.

Nonprofits, government agencies, and universities in Alaska and across the U.S. working on Alzheimer’s caregiving programs can receive recognition awards of US $20,000 for existing projects. Grants from Family Caregiver Alliance honor innovative efforts in creative expression, increasing access and reducing stigma, and public policy that support unpaid family and informal caregivers.

Alaska Tribal entities, Alaska Native corporations, and Alaska Native nonprofit organizations can receive up to US $3,000,000 to address contamination on Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act lands. Grants from Environmental Protection Agency help Alaska Indigenous and Native-serving groups remediate polluted sites that threaten environmental health, subsistence resources, and community well-being.