To be the trails and parks resource for a healthy community in Mat‑su.
Mat-su Trails & Parks Foundation’s recent grantmaking is anchored by trail and park capital work in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, with awards reaching into reconstruction, development, grooming equipment, and park expansion. One of the largest recent grants went to Alaska Trails for a 2024 trail maintenance program and the Pioneer Peak Trail Reconstruction, showing that the foundation funds both ongoing upkeep and major physical improvements. Another large award supported the Mat-Su Ski Club for trail grooming equipment, which points to a practical emphasis on infrastructure and equipment that keeps recreation systems usable. The foundation also funds projects tied to specific places and uses within the borough. Recent awards supported Settlers Bay development and a trail dozer purchase for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, as well as Tarn Point Trail Improvements for Alaska State Parks. Across the grant list, the pattern is place-based and project-specific: trails, parks, trailheads, signage, amenities, planning, surveying, and maintenance. The foundation’s stated purpose is to serve as the trails and parks resource for a healthy community in Mat-su, and its grant activity closely follows that mandate.
Trail construction and rehabilitation is a core theme. Alaska Trails received $101,245 for a 2024 trail maintenance program and Pioneer Peak Trail Reconstruction, while Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers received $19,851 for Government Peak Recreation Area Mountain Bike Trail Repairs. Those grants show support for both large-scale reconstruction and targeted repair work. The foundation also backs park development and amenities. Alaska State Parks received $75,000 for Tarn Point Trail Improvements, and the City of Wasilla received $35,000 for Iditapark Paving. In another park-related award, Meadow Lakes Community Development Inc received $25,000 for Meadow Lakes Community Park Trail Preparation. Specialized recreation projects are part of the portfolio too. The Mat-Su Ski Club got $101,000 for trail grooming equipment, and Lake Louise Snowmachine Club received $25,000 for snowmachine-related support. That mix points to year-round outdoor access, not only summer trail use.
Typical award sizes cluster in the tens of thousands: the p25 is $19,688, the median is $34,892, and the p75 is $50,527. The recent grant list also includes several awards above $75,000, alongside many grants in the $10,000 to $40,000 range. The foundation’s structure appears programmatic and place-based rather than donor-advised, with competitive quarterly grants, event sponsorships, and occasional invite-only strategic projects. Unsolicited applications are accepted for the main grant programs and sponsorships. Multiple recipients appear in more than one year, including Alaska Trails, Alaska State Parks, Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers, Great Land Trust, and City of Wasilla, indicating repeated support for some organizations.
$708K
$1.5M
$1.6M
$1.7M
Most grants fall between $20K and $51K, with a median of $35K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$35K
75th Percentile
$51K
George Hoden
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Grantmaking is local and entirely within Alaska, with 100% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. The most frequent recipient locations are Palmer, Wasilla, Anchorage, and Willow, all within or connected to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Palmer appears on awards to the Mat-Su Ski Club, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and Mat-su Tennis Club. Wasilla appears on grants to Alaska State Parks, Rotary Club of Susitna, and the City of Wasilla. Anchorage recipients include Alaska Trails and the Mountaineering Club of Alaska. Willow appears on grants to Youth Forumwaco and Willow Area Community Organization.
The foundation’s grant sizes cluster around the mid-five-figure range. Its size distribution shows a p25 of $19,688, a median of $34,892, and a p75 of $50,527. Recent awards also include larger grants above $100,000 and many in the $20,000 to $40,000 range.
Yes. The main grant programs listed as General Grants, Quarterly Grants, and MSTPF Grants all accept unsolicited applications. Event and program sponsorships also accept unsolicited requests, while an invite-only strategic projects stream is board-directed and does not accept unsolicited applications.
The foundation funds trails, parks, trailheads, recreation sites, and related infrastructure. Recent program descriptions include trail construction and rehabilitation, park development and improvements, trail and park amenities, signage, planning and surveying, equipment purchases, and accessibility improvements.
Its grantmaking is local and concentrated in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska. The recipient country distribution is entirely US-based, and 100% of grants go to recipients in Alaska.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Alaska Trails, Alaska State Parks, Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers, Great Land Trust, and the City of Wasilla. That pattern suggests the foundation supports ongoing projects and repeat partners as well as one-time awards.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations or groups seeking sponsorship for events or programs that support trails and parks in the Mat-Su Borough. Contact foundation staff for sponsorship application and details.
Who can apply: Applicants must be legal entities with an EIN, provide services/benefits to Mat-Su area residents. Eligible: non-profits, Alaska Native non-profits, federally recognized tribes, government entities/community councils, religious organizations, service organizations. Ineligible: individuals, for-profit organizations, private foundations, organizations whose primary purpose is influencing legislation or supporting candidates, or organizations that discriminate by race, religion, gender, national origin, or political orientation.
Deadline: Quarterly (applications considered each quarter as funding availability allows). Specific quarter opening/closing dates vary; applicants should check the grants portal for current deadlines.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Trails | Anchorage, AK | $168,815 | 2026 | Talkeetna Mountains Planning Project; Pioneer Peak Trail Phase 2; Denali State Park Trail Improvements; Conference and Events Sponsorships |
| Mat-Su Borough | Palmer, AK | $133,497 | 2026 | Jonesville Public Use Area Phase 1; Government Peak Recreation Area Signage; ME Segelhorst Trail Improvements; Matanuska Greenbelt Trail Improvements |
| Hatcher Alpine Xperience | Palmer, AK | $95,500 | 2026 | Snow Groomer Purchase |
| Student Conservation Association | Anchorage, AK | $62,332 | 2026 | Summer 2025 MSB Corps Team |
| City of Houston | Houston, AK | $50,000 | 2026 | Parks and Playground Master Plan |
| Willow Area Community Organization | Willow, AK | $44,478 | 2026 | Summer Trail Maintenance Equipment; Winter Grooming Equipment |
| City of Wasilla | Wasilla, AK | $37,500 | 2026 | Lake Lucille Trail Improvements |
| Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center | Palmer, AK | $34,291 | 2026 | Avalanche Awareness Signage; Snowmachine purchase for motorized avalanche forecasting |
| Mat-Su Ski Club | Palmer, AK | $34,200 | 2026 | GPRA Planning and Trailhead Revitalization; event sponsorship |
| Meadow Lakes Community Development | Wasilla, AK | $25,500 | 2026 | Community Bike Park; event sponsorship |
| Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers | Palmer, AK | $11,230 | 2026 | GPRA Uptrack Planning |
| Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats | Wasilla, AK | $10,234 | 2026 | Reawakening Tladje't Project |
| Alaska Trails | Anchorage, AK | $101,245 | 2025 | 2024 trail maintenance program; Pioneer Peak Trail Reconstruction |
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Palmer, AK | $92,375 | 2025 | Settlers Bay 2nd Parcel Development; purchase of trail dozer |
| Alaska State Parks | Wasilla, AK | $75,000 | 2025 | Tarn Point Trail Improvements |
| Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats | Wasilla, AK | $39,976 | 2025 | Reawakening Tladje't project |
| Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers | Wasilla, AK | $21,000 | 2025 | Anchorage to Mat-Su Strategic Mountain Bike Trails Plan |
| United Way of Matanuska Susitna Borough | Palmer, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | Parks and Playgrounds Coordination and Collaboration |
| Student Conservation Association | Anchorage, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | Pink Wild Rose Trail Improvements |
| Willow Area Community Organization | Willow, AK | $6,250 | 2025 | Newman Park Trail Extension |
| Mat-su Ski Club | Palmer, AK | $101,000 | 2024 | Trail Grooming Equipment |
| Hatcher Alpine Xperience dba Skeetawk | Palmer, AK | $60,000 | 2024 | Skeetawk Mid-Mountain Development |
| Mountaineering Club of Alaska | Anchorage, AK | $60,000 | 2024 | Mint Hut Expansion |
| Alaska State Parks | Wasilla, AK | $52,107 | 2024 | Lynx Lake Loop Trail |
| Rotary Club of Susitna | Wasilla, AK | $40,000 | 2024 | Little Susitna Rotary Park Trail |
| City of Wasilla | Wasilla, AK | $35,000 | 2024 | Iditapark Paving |
| Alaska Department of Fish and Game | Juneau, AK | $34,785 | 2024 | Old Nelson Rd Fish Passage |
| Meadow Lakes Community Development Inc | Wasilla, AK | $25,000 | 2024 | Meadow Lakes Community Park Trail Preparation |
| Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers | Wasilla, AK | $19,851 | 2024 | Government Peak Recreation Area Mountain Bike Trail Repairs |
| Willow Dog Mushers Association | Willow, AK | $16,000 | 2024 | Iditarod Interpretive Sign |
| Mat-su 2024 Arctic Winter Games Host Society | Palmer, AK | $15,000 | 2024 | 2024 Arctic Winter Games Sponsorship |
| Great Land Trust | Anchorage, AK | $10,000 | 2024 | Settlers Bay Coastal Park Expansion |
| MAT-SU TENNIS CLUB | PALMER, AK | $90,000 | 2023 | PALMER TENNIS COURTS |
| YOUTH FORUMWACO | WILLOW, AK | $50,000 | 2023 | WILLOW BIKE PARK PHA |
| MAT-SU BOROUGH | PALMER, AK | $46,708 | 2023 | — |
| ALASKA TRAILS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $38,775 | 2023 | ALASKA LONG TRAIL/MA |
| VALLEY MOUNTAIN BIKERS AND HIKERS | PALMER, AK | $35,752 | 2023 | SHEM PETE TRAIL PHAS |
| CITY OF WASILLA | WASILLA, AK | $35,000 | 2023 | IDITAPARK IMPROVEMEN |
| GREAT LAND TRUST | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2023 | SETTLERS BAY COASTAL |
| LAKE LOUISE SNOWMACHINE CLUB | PALMER, AK | $25,000 | 2023 | LAKE LOUISE SNOWMACH |
| MID VALLEY TRAIL CLUB | WASILLA, AK | $19,200 | 2023 | GROOMING MACHINE PRO |
| WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION | WILLOW, AK | $13,400 | 2023 | SHEM PETE PHASE 3 |
| HATCHER PASS AVALANCHE CENTER | PALMER, AK | $11,564 | 2023 | — |
| ALASKA TRAILS | ANCHORAGE, AK | $6,500 | 2023 | PIONEER PEAK PERSCRI |
Alaska Trails
$168,815Talkeetna Mountains Planning Project; Pioneer Peak Trail Phase 2; Denali State Park Trail Improvements; Conference and Events Sponsorships
Mat-Su Borough
$133,497Jonesville Public Use Area Phase 1; Government Peak Recreation Area Signage; ME Segelhorst Trail Improvements; Matanuska Greenbelt Trail Improvements
Hatcher Alpine Xperience
$95,500Snow Groomer Purchase
Student Conservation Association
$62,332Summer 2025 MSB Corps Team
City of Houston
$50,000Parks and Playground Master Plan
Willow Area Community Organization
$44,478Summer Trail Maintenance Equipment; Winter Grooming Equipment
City of Wasilla
$37,500Lake Lucille Trail Improvements
Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
$34,291Avalanche Awareness Signage; Snowmachine purchase for motorized avalanche forecasting
Mat-Su Ski Club
$34,200GPRA Planning and Trailhead Revitalization; event sponsorship
Meadow Lakes Community Development
$25,500Community Bike Park; event sponsorship
Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers
$11,230GPRA Uptrack Planning
Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats
$10,234Reawakening Tladje't Project
Alaska Trails
$101,2452024 trail maintenance program; Pioneer Peak Trail Reconstruction
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
$92,375Settlers Bay 2nd Parcel Development; purchase of trail dozer
Alaska State Parks
$75,000Tarn Point Trail Improvements
Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats
$39,976Reawakening Tladje't project
Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers
$21,000Anchorage to Mat-Su Strategic Mountain Bike Trails Plan
United Way of Matanuska Susitna Borough
$20,000Parks and Playgrounds Coordination and Collaboration
Student Conservation Association
$20,000Pink Wild Rose Trail Improvements
Willow Area Community Organization
$6,250Newman Park Trail Extension
Mat-su Ski Club
$101,000Trail Grooming Equipment
Mountaineering Club of Alaska
$60,000Mint Hut Expansion
Alaska State Parks
$52,107Lynx Lake Loop Trail
Rotary Club of Susitna
$40,000Little Susitna Rotary Park Trail
City of Wasilla
$35,000Iditapark Paving
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
$34,785Old Nelson Rd Fish Passage
Meadow Lakes Community Development Inc
$25,000Meadow Lakes Community Park Trail Preparation
Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers
$19,851Government Peak Recreation Area Mountain Bike Trail Repairs
Willow Dog Mushers Association
$16,000Iditarod Interpretive Sign
Mat-su 2024 Arctic Winter Games Host Society
$15,0002024 Arctic Winter Games Sponsorship
MAT-SU TENNIS CLUB
$90,000PALMER TENNIS COURTS
YOUTH FORUMWACO
$50,000WILLOW BIKE PARK PHA
MAT-SU BOROUGH
$46,708ALASKA TRAILS
$38,775ALASKA LONG TRAIL/MA
VALLEY MOUNTAIN BIKERS AND HIKERS
$35,752SHEM PETE TRAIL PHAS
CITY OF WASILLA
$35,000IDITAPARK IMPROVEMEN
GREAT LAND TRUST
$25,000SETTLERS BAY COASTAL
LAKE LOUISE SNOWMACHINE CLUB
$25,000LAKE LOUISE SNOWMACH
MID VALLEY TRAIL CLUB
$19,200GROOMING MACHINE PRO
WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
$13,400SHEM PETE PHASE 3
HATCHER PASS AVALANCHE CENTER
$11,564ALASKA TRAILS
$6,500PIONEER PEAK PERSCRI