Editor's note: This article was revised and updated on 9/10/2021.
By managing over 2,000 funds and controlling assets of more than $165 million, the Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) is the center for philanthropy in this far northwest state. This community funder grants out between $7 million and $10 million each year (a significant increase from just a couple years ago), but a significant portion of its power and influence comes through its affiliate and partner community funds. In a state so geographically vast, it’s the 11 affiliate funds and five partner foundations that really link philanthropic resources to local residents in need of support.
One of these affiliates is the Ketchikan Community Foundation (KCF), a funder that recently awarded its fourth round of community grants. In recent years, KCF has awarded around $20,000 to $24,000 annually to between six and eight nonprofits. This means that the funder’s giving has exceeded $106,000 to local groups in the Ketchikan area overall. While these figures may pale in comparison to what its parent foundation is doing, these are very targeted local grants that people see put into action close to home.
KCF has lately focused on homeless individuals, people with disabilities, youth, and seniors. In support of the most vulnerable populations in Ketchikan, the funder awarded grants to groups including First City Homeless Shelter, Women in Safe Homes, and Southeast Alaska Independent Living. Other funded causes include cancer support classes, a summer camp for kids, and Sunday dinners for the hungry. Funding has trended towards basic needs, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 for nonprofits, tribal entities, schools, and faith-based groups. However, some grants have been as high as $7,000.
Overall, KCF looks to use its money to honor the region’s cultural diversity and support multiple generations of citizens. Meanwhile, donations to KCF’s unrestricted endowment help the affiliate funder earn a 1:1 match of $185,000 and an additional annual gift of $5,000 from the Rasmussen Foundation and the Alaska Community Foundation.
Related: Alaska Community Foundation
KCF funding rotates across several themes: youth, community enrichment, and physical/emotional support. Other interests of this funder are affordable housing, arts, recreation, access to healthcare and family-supported employment. KCF and the other affiliate community foundations in Alaska are accessible to local grantseekers and welcome contact to the local advisory boards at any time.
Learn more about this funder in IP’s full profile of the Ketchikan Community Foundation.