We protect Alaska's unique landscapes and ways of life by supporting conservation leaders, organizations, and initiatives.
The Alaska Conservation Foundation backs conservation work across Alaska through a mix of rapid-response funding, community-based grants, and long-term support for Indigenous stewardship, wildlife, and climate resilience. One distinctive feature is its Rapid Response Grants program, which is described as the only program of its kind in Alaska and is designed for fast-breaking, unforeseen environmental threats of statewide or national significance. Its grantmaking also reaches small grassroots organizations through Discovery Grants and supports Alaska Native and local communities through programs tied to conservation leadership and environmental defense. Recent awards show the foundation funding both broad coalition work and place-based projects. Alaska Pacific University received $256,816 in 2025 for collective conservation work, and Alaska Seeds of Change Through Abh received $216,482 in the same year for collective conservation. The foundation also supported Native Conservancy, Eklutna Native Village, and Igiugig Village Council, reflecting sustained attention to Alaska-based organizations working on conservation, stewardship, and response to environmental pressure.
A major thread in the Alaska Conservation Foundation’s work is collective conservation and community-led environmental protection. Alaska Pacific University received $256,816 in 2025 for collective conservation, while Native Conservancy received $155,365 in 2025 for a similar purpose. Another clear area is Indigenous stewardship and sentinel programming: Native Village of Venetie received $90,930 in 2025 for Indigenous Sentinels, and Tanana Tribal Council received $35,835 in 2025 for the same program area. The foundation also funds coastal and climate-related work. University of Alaska Southeast received $114,463 in 2025 for kelp mariculture, and Spruce Root Inc received $43,294 in 2025 for coastal resilience. Movement-building and advocacy appear as well, including support for Northern Alaska Environmental Center and Susitna River Coalition.
Typical awards sit at a median of $22,500, with the 25th percentile at $10,364 and the 75th percentile at $42,698. The recent grant list shows repeated support to the same organizations across 2024 and 2025, including Alaska Pacific University, Alaska Seeds of Change Through Abh, Native Conservancy, Eklutna Native Village, Sitka Conservation Society, Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission, Aleut Community of St Paul, Northern Alaska Environmental Center, and Alaska Center Education Fund. That pattern suggests continuing relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation operates active programs including Rapid Response Grants, Discovery Grants, the Alaska Defense Fund, the Alaska Mining Impacts and Prevention Fund, the Watchable Wildlife Conservation Trust, and the Ted Smith Conservation Internship Program. Several programs accept unsolicited applications, while the Martha Levensaler Leadership Fund Grants do not.
$2.1M
$15.4M
$5.7M
$5.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $43K, with a median of $23K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$23K
75th Percentile
$43K
MICHAEL BARBER
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Alaska-centered: 96% of grants go to recipients in AK, and the top state by grant count is also AK. Among recipient locations, Anchorage appears frequently, including Alaska Pacific University, Alaska Seeds of Change Through Abh, Alaska Village Initiatives, Alaska Center Education Fund, and Aleut Community of St Paul. Other Alaska cities and communities that appear in the recent grants include Juneau, Sitka, Glennallen, Chugiak, Fairbanks, Bethel, Homer, and Veneti. Outside Alaska, the recipient distribution provided here is entirely U.S.-based.
The foundation funds public lands and waters protection, wildlife conservation, climate resilience and adaptation, environmental justice, community-based conservation, and leadership development and internships. Its active programs also show emphasis on rapid response, grassroots organizing, Alaska mining impacts, and Alaska Native issues.
Yes, several active programs accept unsolicited requests: Rapid Response Grants, Discovery Grants, Alaska Defense Fund, Alaska Mining Impacts and Prevention Fund, and Watchable Wildlife Conservation Trust. The Martha Levensaler Leadership Fund Grants do not accept unsolicited applications.
Recent grants have a median size of $22,500, with the 25th percentile at $10,364 and the 75th percentile at $42,698. The Discovery Grants program is smaller, at $500 to $2,000, and the Ted Smith Conservation Internship Program provides $7,000 host-organization grants.
The foundation’s giving is highly concentrated in Alaska. Recipients in AK account for 96% of grants, and Alaska is also the top state by grant count. The recipient-country distribution provided here is entirely U.S.-based.
Recent grantees include Alaska Pacific University, Native Conservancy, Eklutna Native Village, Igiugig Village Council, University of Alaska Southeast, Northern Alaska Environmental Center, and Cook Inlet Keeper. The foundation’s programs also name grassroots organizations, Alaska Native communities, conservation coalitions, and host organizations for internships.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $256,816 | 2025 | COLLECTIVE CONSERV |
| ALASKA SEEDS OF CHANGE THROUGH ABH | ANCHORAGE, AK | $216,482 | 2025 | COLLECTIVE CONSERV. |
| NATIVE CONSERVANCY | CORDVOA, AK | $155,365 | 2025 | COLLECTIVE CONSERVAT |
| EKLUTNA NATIVE VILLAGE | CHUGIAK, AK | $152,738 | 2025 | COLLECTIVE CONSERVAT |
| IGIUGIG VILLAGE COUNCIL | IGIUGIG, AK | $150,000 | 2025 | FED FUND NAVIGATOR |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA SOUTHEAST | JUNEAU, AK | $114,463 | 2025 | KELP MARICULTURE |
| NATIVE VILLAGE OF VENETIE | VENETIE, AK | $90,930 | 2025 | INDIGENOUS SENTINELS |
| SITKA CONSERVATION SOCIETY | SITKA, AK | $75,495 | 2025 | COLLECTIVE CONSERVAT |
| AHTNA INTERTRIBAL RESOURCE COMMISSION | GLENNALLEN, AK | $70,571 | 2025 | COLLECTIVE CONSERV. |
| NORTHERN ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER | FAIRBANKS, AK | $46,756 | 2025 | ADVOCACY,OPS |
| SPRUCE ROOT INC | JUNEAU, AK | $43,294 | 2025 | COASTAL RESILIENCE |
| SUSITNA RIVER COALTION | TALKEETNA, AK | $42,500 | 2025 | MOVEMENT BUILDING |
| ALEUT COMMUNITY OF ST PAUL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $38,161 | 2025 | COLLECTIVE CONSERV. |
| MOTHER KUSKOKWIM TRIBAL COALITION | BETHEL, AK | $37,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
| ALASKA CENTER EDUCATION FUND | ANCHORAGE, AK | $36,920 | 2025 | INTERNSHIP, OPS |
| TANANA TRIBAL COUNCIL | TANANA, AK | $35,835 | 2025 | INDIGENOUS SENTINELS |
| TRADITIONAL COUNCIL OF TOGIAK | TOGIAK, AK | $30,297 | 2025 | COLLECTIVE CONSERV. |
| SALMON STATE | JUNEAU, AK | $30,000 | 2025 | ALASKA DEFENSE |
| NATIVE MOVEMENT | FAIRBANKS, AK | $30,000 | 2025 | ALASKA DEFENSE FUND |
| COOK INLET KEEPER | HOMER, AK | $28,500 | 2025 | ALASKA DEFENSE FUND |
| SOUTHEAST ALASKA CONSERVATION COUNCIL | JUNEAU, AK | $28,500 | 2025 | ALASKA DEFENSE FUND |
| CENTER FOR ALASKAN COASTAL STUDIES | HOMER, AK | $25,186 | 2025 | INTERNSHIP, OPS |
| RENEWABLE ENERGY ALASKA PROJECT | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | COLLECTIVE CONSERV. |
| TRUSTEES FOR ALASKA | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ORGANIZED VILLAGE OF KASAAN | KETCHIKAN, AK | $23,640 | 2025 | COLLECTIVE CONSERV. |
| ALASKA COMMUNITY ACTION ON TOXICS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $21,000 | 2025 | MOVEMENT BUILDING |
| ALASKA LONGLINE FISHERMEN'S ASSOCIATION | SITKA, AK | $21,000 | 2025 | ALASKA DEFENSE FUND |
| NEW VENTURE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2025 | COLLECTIVE CONSERVAT |
| UNITED TRIBES OF BRISTOL BAY | DILINGHAM, AK | $18,500 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| NATIVE PEOPLES ACTION COMMUNITY FUND | ANCHORAGE, AK | $17,097 | 2025 | ALASKA DEFENSE FUND |
| BIRD TREATMENT AND LEARNING CENTER | ANCHORAGE, AK | $13,700 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT |
| FAIRBANKS CLIMATE ACTION COALITION | FAIRBANKS, AK | $13,000 | 2025 | ALASKA DEFENSE |
| ALASKA WILDLIFE ALLIANCE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $12,000 | 2025 | RAPID RESPONSE |
| SOVEREIGN INUPIAT FOR A LIVING ARCT | NORTH POLE, AK | $12,000 | 2025 | ALASKA DEFENSE |
| COMMITTEE FOR SAFE COMMUNITIES | FAIRBANKS, AK | $12,000 | 2025 | MINING NETWORKS |
| DISCOVERY SOUTHEAST | JUNEAU, AK | $10,420 | 2025 | YOUTH, INTERN |
| SOUTHEAST ALASKA INDIGENOUS TRANSBOUNDARY | SITKA, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | ALASKA DEFENSE |
| ALASKA MARINE CONSERVATION COUNCIL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | MOVEMENT BUILDING |
| NATIVE VILLAGE OF UNALAKLEET | UNALAKLEET, AK | $8,701 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILKAT INDIAN VILLAGE | HAINES, AK | $7,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE | WASHINGTON, DC | $6,950 | 2025 | CONSERVATION |
| KENAI WATERSHED FORUM | SOLDOTNA, AK | $6,000 | 2025 | MOVEMENT BUILDING |
| ANCHORAGE PARK FOUNDATION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $6,000 | 2025 | MOVEMENT BUILDING |
| AUDUBON ALASKA | ANCHORAGE, AK | $6,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION |
| YUKON RIVER INTERTRIBAL WATERSHED | ANCHORAGE, AK | $6,000 | 2025 | MOVEMENT BUILDING |
| ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $179,895 | 2024 | COLLECTIVE CONSERV |
| ALASKA VILLAGE INITIATIVES | ANCHORAGE, AK | $126,074 | 2024 | COLLECTIVE CONSERV. |
| ALASKA SEEDS OF CHANGE THROUGH ABH | ANCHORAGE, AK | $118,679 | 2024 | COLLECTIVE CONSERV. |
| AHTNA INTERTRIBAL RESOURCE COMMISSION | GLENNALLEN, AK | $108,175 | 2024 | COLLECTIVE CONSERV. |
ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
$256,816COLLECTIVE CONSERV
ALASKA SEEDS OF CHANGE THROUGH ABH
$216,482COLLECTIVE CONSERV.
NATIVE CONSERVANCY
$155,365COLLECTIVE CONSERVAT
EKLUTNA NATIVE VILLAGE
$152,738COLLECTIVE CONSERVAT
IGIUGIG VILLAGE COUNCIL
$150,000FED FUND NAVIGATOR
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA SOUTHEAST
$114,463KELP MARICULTURE
NATIVE VILLAGE OF VENETIE
$90,930INDIGENOUS SENTINELS
SITKA CONSERVATION SOCIETY
$75,495COLLECTIVE CONSERVAT
AHTNA INTERTRIBAL RESOURCE COMMISSION
$70,571COLLECTIVE CONSERV.
NORTHERN ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
$46,756ADVOCACY,OPS
SPRUCE ROOT INC
$43,294COASTAL RESILIENCE
SUSITNA RIVER COALTION
$42,500MOVEMENT BUILDING
ALEUT COMMUNITY OF ST PAUL
$38,161COLLECTIVE CONSERV.
MOTHER KUSKOKWIM TRIBAL COALITION
$37,000ENDOWMENT
ALASKA CENTER EDUCATION FUND
$36,920INTERNSHIP, OPS
TANANA TRIBAL COUNCIL
$35,835INDIGENOUS SENTINELS
TRADITIONAL COUNCIL OF TOGIAK
$30,297COLLECTIVE CONSERV.
SALMON STATE
$30,000ALASKA DEFENSE
NATIVE MOVEMENT
$30,000ALASKA DEFENSE FUND
COOK INLET KEEPER
$28,500ALASKA DEFENSE FUND
SOUTHEAST ALASKA CONSERVATION COUNCIL
$28,500ALASKA DEFENSE FUND
CENTER FOR ALASKAN COASTAL STUDIES
$25,186INTERNSHIP, OPS
RENEWABLE ENERGY ALASKA PROJECT
$25,000COLLECTIVE CONSERV.
TRUSTEES FOR ALASKA
$25,000OPERATIONS
ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
ORGANIZED VILLAGE OF KASAAN
$23,640COLLECTIVE CONSERV.
ALASKA COMMUNITY ACTION ON TOXICS
$21,000MOVEMENT BUILDING
ALASKA LONGLINE FISHERMEN'S ASSOCIATION
$21,000ALASKA DEFENSE FUND
NEW VENTURE FUND
$20,000COLLECTIVE CONSERVAT
UNITED TRIBES OF BRISTOL BAY
$18,500OPERATIONS
NATIVE PEOPLES ACTION COMMUNITY FUND
$17,097ALASKA DEFENSE FUND
BIRD TREATMENT AND LEARNING CENTER
$13,700ENDOWMENT
FAIRBANKS CLIMATE ACTION COALITION
$13,000ALASKA DEFENSE
ALASKA WILDLIFE ALLIANCE
$12,000RAPID RESPONSE
SOVEREIGN INUPIAT FOR A LIVING ARCT
$12,000ALASKA DEFENSE
COMMITTEE FOR SAFE COMMUNITIES
$12,000MINING NETWORKS
DISCOVERY SOUTHEAST
$10,420YOUTH, INTERN
SOUTHEAST ALASKA INDIGENOUS TRANSBOUNDARY
$10,000ALASKA DEFENSE
ALASKA MARINE CONSERVATION COUNCIL
$10,000MOVEMENT BUILDING
NATIVE VILLAGE OF UNALAKLEET
$8,701GENERAL SUPPORT
CHILKAT INDIAN VILLAGE
$7,250GENERAL SUPPORT
DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
$6,950CONSERVATION
KENAI WATERSHED FORUM
$6,000MOVEMENT BUILDING
ANCHORAGE PARK FOUNDATION
$6,000MOVEMENT BUILDING
AUDUBON ALASKA
$6,000CONSERVATION
YUKON RIVER INTERTRIBAL WATERSHED
$6,000MOVEMENT BUILDING
ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
$179,895COLLECTIVE CONSERV
ALASKA VILLAGE INITIATIVES
$126,074COLLECTIVE CONSERV.
ALASKA SEEDS OF CHANGE THROUGH ABH
$118,679COLLECTIVE CONSERV.
AHTNA INTERTRIBAL RESOURCE COMMISSION
$108,175COLLECTIVE CONSERV.