The Richard L. and Diane M. Block Foundation concentrates relatively large, targeted gifts in Anchorage/Alaska, funding faith-based organizations, homeless and youth services, and community housing projects. They provide both operating support (including general/unrestricted funding) and capital or facilities-related grants, often making repeat awards to core local partners. The foundation’s giving blends religious philanthropy with practical investments in shelters, transitional housing, and neighborhood-building infrastructure.
The Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation repeatedly backs Anchorage-based housing, youth services, and faith communities with large, targeted grants. One of its clearest patterns is multi-year support for Covenant House Alaska’s Covey Academy Operations, including a $300,000 grant in 2025 and earlier awards of $150,000 in 2023 and 2024. The foundation also made a $305,000 building-purchase grant to Partners for Progress in 2023, showing that it funds not only programs but also facilities and property tied to community services. Its giving combines operating support with capital and project-specific awards. Recent grants include unrestricted support for First Church of Christ Scientist in Boston, operational funding for Anchorage Affordable Housing and Land Trust, and support for organizations working on permanent affordable housing, guest house operations, and supportive housing. The foundation’s portfolio also reaches arts and recreation, with grants to Anchorage Opera Company, Fairbanks Arts Association, and Mat Su Youth Housing, but housing and youth stability remain the strongest through-line. Repeat awards to the same organizations suggest ongoing relationships rather than one-time funding.
Housing-related grants make up a major part of the foundation’s recent activity. In 2024, it gave $150,000 to Anchorage Affordable Housing and Land Trust for operation fund for permanent affordable housing for low and extremely low-income residents, and it also awarded $100,000 to Volunteers of America Inc for the VOA Alaska Supportive Housing Program. Youth and family services are another clear theme. The foundation gave $300,000 in 2025 to Covenant House Alaska for Covey Academy Operations, following earlier support for the same program, and it provided $50,000 to Volunteers of America Inc for Early Intervention through Expansion of Family Services and Kinship Caregiver Supports. It also funds cultural and community programming. Grants included $100,000 to Anchorage Opera Company for Tosca/First Live Anchorage Opera Performance FUND and $75,000 to Fairbanks Arts Association 483 for fairbanks Arts & Culture Organizations. A separate $55,000 grant to Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine S supported Education Programming Staff.
$1.4M
$35.4M
$3.8M
$1.9M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in AK.
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A concentrated portfolio of relatively large awards (multiple six-figure grants) to a small set of repeat grantees, mixing unrestricted operating support with capital/project-specific funding, primarily focused on Anchorage/Alaska.
Notable grantees: Covenant House Alaska, First Church of Christ Scientist, Partners for Progress, Anchorage Affordable Housing and Land Trust, Henning Inc
Typical grants are concentrated in the middle range: the p25 size is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the p75 is $25,000. Recent awards, however, show a sizable upper tier of six-figure gifts for housing, shelter, and operations. The pattern also points to repeat funding rather than isolated awards. Covenant House Alaska, First Church of Christ Scientist, Anchorage Opera Company, American Red Cross - Anchorage Alaska Chapter, and Volunteers of America Inc each appear across multiple grant years or with more than one award. The foundation funds individuals and also makes grants to organizations, and its recent awards include general operating support, project support, and capital-related funding.
Grantmaking is national in scope, but the recent pattern is heavily centered in Alaska. Anchorage appears most often, with additional grants in Juneau, Fairbanks, Palmer, Wasilla, Seward, and Kenai. Outside Alaska, Boston appears in the recent grants list through support for First Church of Christ Scientist. Recipient locations in the data are all in the United States, and no non-U.S. countries appear in the recent grant sample.
Recent grants show a strong mix of housing, youth services, faith-based organizations, and arts or community programs. Examples include permanent affordable housing, supportive housing, Covey Academy operations, unrestricted church support, and arts organizations in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Kenai.
Yes. The recent grants include general and unrestricted awards, general operating support, and operational funding for specific programs such as Covey Academy Operations and the VOA Alaska Supportive Housing Program.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered at $5,000 for the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger six-figure grants for housing, shelter, and building-related projects.
Yes. Covenant House Alaska received awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for Covey Academy Operations. First Church of Christ Scientist also received annual unrestricted grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and several other organizations appear more than once.
Anchorage is the clearest center of activity in the recent grants list, followed by other Alaska cities including Juneau, Fairbanks, Palmer, Wasilla, Seward, and Kenai. The recent sample also includes one Boston recipient outside Alaska.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COVENANT HOUSE ALASKA | ANCHORAGE, AK | $300,000 | 2025 | Covey Academy Operations |
| FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST | BOSTON, MA | $167,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MAT SU YOUTH HOUSING | WASILLA, AK | $50,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - ANCHORAGE ALASKA CHAPTER | ANCHORAGE, AK | $50,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA INC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $50,000 | 2025 | Early Intervention through Expansion of Family Services and Kinship Caregiver Supports |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL INC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $50,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ANCHORAGE OPERA COMPANY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $35,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FOUNDATION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $30,000 | 2025 | Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery Upgrades -Friends of the Museum Exhibit Fund |
| DOWNTOWN SOUP KITCHEN | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF JUNEAU | JUNEAU, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ALASKA ASSOCIATION FOR CHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSING I | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| BEACON HILL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support for Services Outside of Anchorage |
| PERSEVERANCE THEATRE INCORPORATED | DOUGLAS, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ALASKA CHILDRENS TRUST | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | Pathways to Hope - An Indigenous Approach to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse |
| RESIDENTIAL YOUTH CARE INC | KETCHIKAN, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | Sea Level Project |
| ALASKA ZOO | ANCHORAGE, AK | $25,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ANCHORAGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | ANCHORAGE, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ALASKA PUBLIC MEDIA INC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | Learning Neighborhoods Project |
| BETHEL COMMUNITY SERVICES FOUNDATION INC | BETHEL, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | Bethel Food Bank & Pantry Program |
| HOMER COUNCIL ON THE ARTS | HOMER, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH | JUNEAU, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | Playground Surfacing |
| KETCHIKAN WELLNESS COALITION | KETCHIKAN, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support and Magsayawan Project |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF ALASKA | ANCHORAGE, AK | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| FAIRBANKS DRAMA ASSOCIATION AND FAIRBANKS CHILDREN | FAIRBANKS, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CYRANOS THEATRE COMPANY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ANCHORAGE CONCERT ASSOCIATION INC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| HOMER OPUS | HOMER, AK | $15,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| NORTHERN CULTURE EXCHANGE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $12,000 | 2025 | Spenard Jazz Fest |
| THE ALBERT BAKER FUND | FOLSOM, CA | $11,000 | 2025 | Scholarship fund for Alaska Resident Students |
| THE ALBERT BAKER FUND | FOLSOM, CA | $10,977 | 2025 | The Albert Baker Fund eligible Alaskan scholarship fund |
| ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $10,002 | 2025 | Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation scholarship fund |
| JUNEAU COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | JUNEAU, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | Juneau Flood Relief |
| ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation scholarship fund |
| ALASKA ARTS EDUCATION CONSORTIUM INC | FAIRBANKS, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support directed at Rural Arts Initiative |
| THE FOLK SCHOOL | FAIRBANKS, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| ANCHORAGE COMMUNITY THEATRE INC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION 483 | FAIRBANKS, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ANCHORAGE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| DENALI ARTS COUNCIL | TALKEETNA, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| CAMP FIRE | ANCHORAGE, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ANCHORAGE MUSEUM ASSOCIATION | ANCHORAGE, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | Alaska Exhibition: Phase II Upgrades |
| AIDING WOMEN FROM ABUSE AND RAPE EMERGENCIES INC | JUNEAU, AK | $10,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ALASKA HUMANITIES FORUM | ANCHORAGE, AK | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| FAIRBANKS SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL | FAIRBANKS, AK | $5,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ALASKA THEATRE OF YOUTH | ANCHORAGE, AK | $5,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ANCHORAGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | ANCHORAGE, AK | $5,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
| ALASKA ADOPTION SERVICES | EAGLE RIVER, AK | $5,000 | 2025 | Community Diaper Pantry |
| SKIKU INC | ANCHORAGE, AK | $5,000 | 2025 | Skiku Rural Ski Village Program |
| FAIRBANKS CHILDRENS MUSEUM | FAIRBANKS, AK | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| WRANGELL MOUNTAINS CENTER | ANCHORAGE, AK | $5,000 | 2025 | General Operating Support |
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST
$167,000General & Unrestricted
MAT SU YOUTH HOUSING
$50,000General & Unrestricted
AMERICAN RED CROSS - ANCHORAGE ALASKA CHAPTER
$50,000General Operating Support
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA INC
$50,000Early Intervention through Expansion of Family Services and Kinship Caregiver Supports
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL INC
$50,000General Operating Support
ANCHORAGE OPERA COMPANY
$35,000General Operating Support
Rose Berry Alaska Art Gallery Upgrades -Friends of the Museum Exhibit Fund
DOWNTOWN SOUP KITCHEN
$25,000General Operating Support
FAMILY PROMISE OF JUNEAU
$25,000General Operating Support
ALASKA ASSOCIATION FOR CHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSING I
$25,000General Operating Support
ALASKA CHILDRENS TRUST
$25,000Pathways to Hope - An Indigenous Approach to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
RESIDENTIAL YOUTH CARE INC
$25,000Sea Level Project
ALASKA ZOO
$25,000General Operating Support
ANCHORAGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$20,000General Operating Support
HOMER COUNCIL ON THE ARTS
$20,000General Operating Support
SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
$20,000Playground Surfacing
KETCHIKAN WELLNESS COALITION
$20,000General Operating Support and Magsayawan Project
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF ALASKA
$20,000General & Unrestricted
FAIRBANKS DRAMA ASSOCIATION AND FAIRBANKS CHILDREN
$15,000General & Unrestricted
ANCHORAGE CONCERT ASSOCIATION INC
$15,000General Operating Support
HOMER OPUS
$15,000General Operating Support
NORTHERN CULTURE EXCHANGE
$12,000Spenard Jazz Fest
THE ALBERT BAKER FUND
$11,000Scholarship fund for Alaska Resident Students
THE ALBERT BAKER FUND
$10,977The Albert Baker Fund eligible Alaskan scholarship fund
Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation scholarship fund
Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation scholarship fund
ALASKA ARTS EDUCATION CONSORTIUM INC
$10,000General Operating Support directed at Rural Arts Initiative
THE FOLK SCHOOL
$10,000General & Unrestricted
ANCHORAGE COMMUNITY THEATRE INC
$10,000General Operating Support
FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION 483
$10,000General Operating Support
ANCHORAGE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
$10,000General & Unrestricted
DENALI ARTS COUNCIL
$10,000General Operating Support
CAMP FIRE
$10,000General Operating Support
FAIRBANKS SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL
$5,000General Operating Support
ALASKA THEATRE OF YOUTH
$5,000General Operating Support
ANCHORAGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
$5,000General Operating Support
SKIKU INC
$5,000Skiku Rural Ski Village Program
FAIRBANKS CHILDRENS MUSEUM
$5,000General & Unrestricted
WRANGELL MOUNTAINS CENTER
$5,000General Operating Support