The Atwood Foundation makes targeted, state-focused gifts in Alaska, using the Alaska Community Foundation as an intermediary to support journalism capacity and professional development. Its recent grants explicitly funded the Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism and the Alaska Press Club, indicating an interest in strengthening local news, reporting standards, and press infrastructure. The foundation appears to prefer channeling support through a statewide community foundation rather than funding many direct beneficiaries.
A defining thread in Atwood Foundation Inc’s recent giving is its support for Alaska journalism infrastructure through the Alaska Community Foundation. In 2025, that intermediary received $210,000 for the Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism and the Alaska Press Club, following a $159,600 grant in 2024 for the same purpose and a $235,000 grant in 2023 for a third year of in-depth reporting. That pattern shows a funder backing both newsroom capacity and the institutions that shape reporting practice in Alaska. The foundation also supports arts, education, and cultural programming across Anchorage and other Alaska communities. Recent grants include $175,000 to Anchorage Museum Association for education programs, an exhibit, North X North, Seed Lab, and the Atwood Archive Center, plus $150,000 to Alaska Pacific University for Atwood Merit Scholarships. Additional support has gone to Anchorage Opera, Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, Anchorage Concert Association, Alaska Junior Theater, Cyrano's Theater Company, and Perseverance Theater Inc. Atwood Foundation Inc uses recurring grants over multiple years, often returning to the same recipients for operating, season, or capacity-building support.
Journalism is a clear priority. Through the Alaska Community Foundation, Atwood Foundation Inc gave $210,000 in 2025 and $159,600 in 2024 to support the Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism and the Alaska Press Club, and it had previously committed $235,000 in 2023 for a third year of in-depth reporting. Arts institutions make up another major part of the portfolio. The foundation awarded $175,000 to Anchorage Museum Association for education programs, an exhibit, North X North, Seed Lab, and the Atwood Archive Center, showing support for both public programming and institutional infrastructure. Education and student support also appear in the recent grants. Alaska Pacific University received $150,000 in 2025 for Atwood Merit Scholarships, following a $150,000 grant in 2024 for the same purpose. Capacity-building support shows up as well. Foraker Group received $60,000 in 2025 for capacity building services for Atwood grantees.
Typical grant size clusters around $8,000 at the 25th percentile, $12,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, while the recent grant list also includes many larger operating and program awards. The same recipients appear across multiple years, including Alaska Community Foundation, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage Museum Association, Anchorage Opera, Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, Anchorage Concert Association, Alaska Junior Theater, Cyrano's Theater Company, and Foraker Group. That repeat pattern suggests an ongoing grant relationship rather than one-off giving. The foundation is an independent foundation and also funds individuals. Its active programs include General Grants and Journalism Grants / New Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism, and both accept unsolicited requests.
$2.4M
$56.7M
$5.7M
$3.1M
Most grants fall between $8K and $25K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Highly concentrated giving: very few, relatively large grants all routed through a single intermediary (Alaska Community Foundation) to support media/journalism initiatives in Alaska.
Notable grantees: Alaska Community Foundation, Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism, Alaska Press Club
Grantmaking is concentrated in Alaska, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the state. Anchorage is the main recipient city, but grants also land in Girdwood and Douglas. The recent list shows both city-based institutions and statewide intermediaries, including Alaska Community Foundation in Anchorage and Girdwood, Anchorage Museum Association, and Alaska Pacific University. The foundation’s geography is local rather than national or multi-country.
Recent grants show a strong emphasis on journalism capacity in Alaska, along with arts, culture, education, and youth-serving programming. Examples include support for the Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism and the Alaska Press Club, Anchorage Museum Association programs, and Atwood Merit Scholarships at Alaska Pacific University.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Alaska Community Foundation, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage Museum Association, Anchorage Opera, Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, Anchorage Concert Association, Alaska Junior Theater, Cyrano's Theater Company, and Foraker Group.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized: p25 is $8,000, the median is $12,000, and p75 is $25,000. The recent grant list also includes larger awards, such as $210,000, $175,000, and $150,000 grants.
Very local. The geographic scope is listed as local, and 100% of grants in the recipient distribution went to organizations in the US, with all recent grants going to recipients in Alaska.
Two active programs are listed: General Grants, which support nonprofit projects and programs benefiting Anchorage, particularly young people, in areas including fine arts, history, and civic enterprises; and Journalism Grants / New Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism, which support journalism initiatives and media capacity building in Alaska.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | GIRDWOOD, AK | $210,000 | 2025 | ALASKA CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AND ALASKA PRESS CLUB |
| ANCHORAGE MUSEUM ASSOCIATION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $175,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION PROGRAMS, EXHIBIT, NORTH X NORTH, SEED LAB AND ATWOOD ARCHIVE CENTER |
| ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $150,000 | 2025 | ATWOOD MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ANCHORAGE OPERA | ANCHORAGE, AK | $125,000 | 2025 | 2024-25 SEASON SUPPORT |
| ANCHORAGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | ANCHORAGE, AK | $120,000 | 2025 | SEASON SUPPORT |
| ANCHORAGE CONCERT ASSOCIATION | GIRDWOOD, AK | $100,000 | 2025 | SEASON SUPPORT |
| ALASKA JUNIOR THEATER | ANCHORAGE, AK | $70,000 | 2025 | SEASON SUPPORT |
| CYRANO'S THEATER COMPANY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $65,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT FOR 2024 SEASON |
| FORAKER GROUP | ANCHORAGE, AK | $60,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING SERVICES FOR ATWOOD GRANTEES |
| NORTHERN CULTURE EXCHANGE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $60,000 | 2025 | MULTIPLE MUSIC PROJECTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FOUNDATION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $50,000 | 2025 | ELAINE ATWOOD JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ANCHORAGE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP LTD | ANCHORAGE, AK | $50,000 | 2025 | SUMMER MUSIC IN PERATROVICH PARK, SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION, ETC |
| ANCHORAGE COMMUNITY THEATRE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $45,000 | 2025 | 71ST SEASON SUPPORT |
| PULSE DANCE COMPANY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $42,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF 2024/25 DANCE PERFORMANCES, ARTIST RESIDENCIES AND YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| ALASKA YOUTH ORCHESTRAS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $40,000 | 2025 | SEASON SUPPORT |
| ALASKA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $40,000 | 2025 | FACILITY ASSESSMENT OF MAJOR THEATRICAL SPACES |
| MOMENTUM DANCE COLLECTIVE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $36,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 SEASON SUPPORT |
| SITKA MUSIC FESTIVAL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $35,000 | 2025 | AUTUMN AND WINTER CLASSICS CONCERTS IN ANCHORAGE |
| ALASKA WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $35,000 | 2025 | EVANGELINE ATWOOD DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS SERIES AND STUDENT PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FOUNDATION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $30,000 | 2025 | UAA DANCE PROGRAM/YEAR 2 OF 3 AND EXTEND COMMITMENT TO YEAR 4 |
| OUT NORTH | ANCHORAGE, AK | $27,500 | 2025 | 2024 FRINGE FESTIVAL, DIA DE MUERTOS AND KONR RADIO'S COMMUNITY PROJECTS |
| ALASKA ARTS SOUTHEAST INC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS, TRAVEL SUPPORT FOR ANCHORAGE YOUTH TO ATTEND SITKA FINE ARTS CAMP |
| PERSEVERANCE THEATER INC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 ANCHORAGE SEASON SUPPORT |
| ALASKA THEATRE OF YOUTH | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 SEASON SUPPORT |
| KEYS TO LIFE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORTS |
| ALASKA CULTURAL TRUST | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | FUNDRAISING AND INVESTMENT SUPPORT |
| WELLROUNDED ARTS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | SEASON 10 OF PARLOR IN THE ROUND |
| ANCHORAGE COMMUNITY THEATRE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $24,500 | 2025 | TECHNICAL AND PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES TRAINING ANCHORAGE ARTISTS |
| ALASKA DANCE THEATRE | HOMER, AK | $22,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ALASKA DANCE THEATRE'S PERFORMING COMPANY |
| ANCHORAGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | GIRDWOOD, AK | $22,000 | 2025 | FESTIVAL STAFFING FOR MARKETING PLUS FILMMAKER TRAVEL TO ALASKA |
| ANCHORAGE CLASSICAL BALLET ACADEMY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | SEASON SUPPORT |
| KOAHNIC BROADCAST COMPANY | SITKA, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | STATEWIDE BROADCAST OF 2024 AFN CONVENTION |
| COVENANT HOUSE OF ALASKA | ANCHORAGE, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT: ART, MUSIC AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR TEENS |
| ALASKA JAZZ WORKSHOP | ANCHORAGE, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | JAZZ EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR JR & HIGH SCHOOL, SUMMER JAZZ CAMP, ETC |
| ALASKA SOUND CELEBRATION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | CELEBRATE THE MUSIC PERFORMANCE, ALASKA A CAPELLA UNIVERSITY, AND MASTER EDUCATION COURSES |
| ALASKA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | ALL-STATE MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SOLO & ENSEMBLE MUSIC FESTIVAL |
| ANCHORAGE CONCERT CHORUS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | PRODUCTION COSTS: HOLIDAY POPS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FOUNDATION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | UAA SEAWOLF DEBATE PROGRAM |
| ANCHORAGE FESTIVAL OF MUSIC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | PRODUCTION COSTS: THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | KINGS LAKE MUSIC CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ARMED SERVICES YMCA OF ALASKA | ANCHORAGE, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT: ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY FAMILY PROGRAMS |
| FILM INDEPENDENT INC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | INDEPENDENT ART FILM |
| ANCHORAGE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | 12TH ANNUAL ANCHORAGE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL |
| ALASKA ZOO | ANCHORAGE, AK | $14,350 | 2025 | INTERNET CONNECTIVITY FOR ITS SUMMER EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| TOMODACHI DAIKO INC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $12,000 | 2025 | ARTIST WORKSHOP TRAVEL COSTS AND ASD RENT |
| WEST HIGH SCHOOL PTSA UNDER ALASKA PTS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $12,000 | 2025 | WORLD STRIDES HERITAGE FESTIVAL TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS |
| NORTHERN CULTURE EXCHANGE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $12,000 | 2025 | PLACEMENT SUMMER ART DAY CAMP FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS |
| COOK INLET TRIBAL COUNCIL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $11,500 | 2025 | MEALS AND CULTURAL EXPERT STIPENDS FOR YOUTH CAMPS AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS |
| ANCHORAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $11,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL MILITARY APPRECIATION PICNIC |
| CAMP FIRE ALASKA | ANCHORAGE, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | OPERATION PURPLE SUMMER CAMP - SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MILITARY YOUTH |
ALASKA CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AND ALASKA PRESS CLUB
EDUCATION PROGRAMS, EXHIBIT, NORTH X NORTH, SEED LAB AND ATWOOD ARCHIVE CENTER
ANCHORAGE OPERA
$125,0002024-25 SEASON SUPPORT
ANCHORAGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$120,000SEASON SUPPORT
ANCHORAGE CONCERT ASSOCIATION
$100,000SEASON SUPPORT
ALASKA JUNIOR THEATER
$70,000SEASON SUPPORT
NORTHERN CULTURE EXCHANGE
$60,000MULTIPLE MUSIC PROJECTS
ANCHORAGE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP LTD
$50,000SUMMER MUSIC IN PERATROVICH PARK, SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION, ETC
ANCHORAGE COMMUNITY THEATRE
$45,00071ST SEASON SUPPORT
PULSE DANCE COMPANY
$42,000SUPPORT OF 2024/25 DANCE PERFORMANCES, ARTIST RESIDENCIES AND YOUTH PROGRAMS
ALASKA YOUTH ORCHESTRAS
$40,000SEASON SUPPORT
FACILITY ASSESSMENT OF MAJOR THEATRICAL SPACES
MOMENTUM DANCE COLLECTIVE
$36,0002024-2025 SEASON SUPPORT
SITKA MUSIC FESTIVAL
$35,000AUTUMN AND WINTER CLASSICS CONCERTS IN ANCHORAGE
ALASKA WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL
$35,000EVANGELINE ATWOOD DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS SERIES AND STUDENT PROGRAMS
UAA DANCE PROGRAM/YEAR 2 OF 3 AND EXTEND COMMITMENT TO YEAR 4
OUT NORTH
$27,5002024 FRINGE FESTIVAL, DIA DE MUERTOS AND KONR RADIO'S COMMUNITY PROJECTS
ALASKA ARTS SOUTHEAST INC
$25,000SCHOLARSHIPS, TRAVEL SUPPORT FOR ANCHORAGE YOUTH TO ATTEND SITKA FINE ARTS CAMP
PERSEVERANCE THEATER INC
$25,0002024-2025 ANCHORAGE SEASON SUPPORT
ALASKA THEATRE OF YOUTH
$25,0002024-2025 SEASON SUPPORT
KEYS TO LIFE
$25,000PROJECT SUPPORTS
ALASKA CULTURAL TRUST
$25,000FUNDRAISING AND INVESTMENT SUPPORT
WELLROUNDED ARTS
$25,000SEASON 10 OF PARLOR IN THE ROUND
ANCHORAGE COMMUNITY THEATRE
$24,500TECHNICAL AND PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES TRAINING ANCHORAGE ARTISTS
ALASKA DANCE THEATRE
$22,000SUPPORT ALASKA DANCE THEATRE'S PERFORMING COMPANY
ANCHORAGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
$22,000FESTIVAL STAFFING FOR MARKETING PLUS FILMMAKER TRAVEL TO ALASKA
ANCHORAGE CLASSICAL BALLET ACADEMY
$20,000SEASON SUPPORT
KOAHNIC BROADCAST COMPANY
$20,000STATEWIDE BROADCAST OF 2024 AFN CONVENTION
PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT: ART, MUSIC AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR TEENS
ALASKA JAZZ WORKSHOP
$20,000JAZZ EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR JR & HIGH SCHOOL, SUMMER JAZZ CAMP, ETC
ALASKA SOUND CELEBRATION
$20,000CELEBRATE THE MUSIC PERFORMANCE, ALASKA A CAPELLA UNIVERSITY, AND MASTER EDUCATION COURSES
ALASKA SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION
$15,000ALL-STATE MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SOLO & ENSEMBLE MUSIC FESTIVAL
ANCHORAGE CONCERT CHORUS
$15,000PRODUCTION COSTS: HOLIDAY POPS
ANCHORAGE FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
$15,000PRODUCTION COSTS: THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY
THE SALVATION ARMY
$15,000KINGS LAKE MUSIC CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
ARMED SERVICES YMCA OF ALASKA
$15,000PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT: ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY FAMILY PROGRAMS
FILM INDEPENDENT INC
$15,000INDEPENDENT ART FILM
ANCHORAGE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
$15,00012TH ANNUAL ANCHORAGE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
ALASKA ZOO
$14,350INTERNET CONNECTIVITY FOR ITS SUMMER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
TOMODACHI DAIKO INC
$12,000ARTIST WORKSHOP TRAVEL COSTS AND ASD RENT
WEST HIGH SCHOOL PTSA UNDER ALASKA PTS
$12,000WORLD STRIDES HERITAGE FESTIVAL TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS
NORTHERN CULTURE EXCHANGE
$12,000PLACEMENT SUMMER ART DAY CAMP FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
MEALS AND CULTURAL EXPERT STIPENDS FOR YOUTH CAMPS AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS
ANCHORAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$11,000ANNUAL MILITARY APPRECIATION PICNIC
OPERATION PURPLE SUMMER CAMP - SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MILITARY YOUTH
Current and upcoming funding from Atwood Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Anchorage residents and visitors are eligible. First-time applicants and prior applicants seeking support for a different project must call and consult with the Foundation at least two weeks before the deadline; applications submitted without prior consultation are usually not funded.
Deadline: February 1, May 1, and August 1 annually.
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