The Alaska Community Foundation was established in 1996 as a way to strengthen communities by assisting individuals and organizations in creating charitable funds.
The original articles of incorporation were restated and amended in 1998, establishing ACF as it exists today: A nonprofit public charity promoting personal philanthropy and providing financial management, strategic development and donor-development services to communities, organizations and donors across Alaska.
The results have been impressive. In 1999, ACF managed assets of $433,000 held in five funds. By the end of 2001, there were 11 donor-advised funds, one nonprofit organization endowment fund and managed assets totaling $2.7 million.
The Alaska Community Foundation now manages more than 200 funds, including nine regional community funds, affiliates and partners, and has assets totaling more than $32 million.
And in 2007, the foundation received “National Standards” recognition from the Council on Foundations based on its processes and operational excellence. This recognition indicates The Alaska Community Foundation has met the nation’s highest philanthropic standards for best practices. The standards were developed by community foundations from around the country and the Council on Foundations, a national professional association based in Washington, D.C.
The mission of The Alaska Community Foundation is to encourage and nurture philanthropy through the establishment of a permanent endowment that will address current and emerging needs in Alaska communities in perpetuity.
Alaskans are working together within their communities and across the state to find long-term solutions, opportunities, and resources that allow all people in our state to thrive physically, mentally, and spiritually.
We support this vision by:
- Educating and inspiring people to be informed, creative, and effective philanthropists;
- Empowering and supporting communities statewide in growing resources to address local needs and desires. As Teddy Roosevelt said: “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”;
- Building long-term resources to address needs now and into the future;
- Leading by example through grant-making which results in continuous improvement and empowerment of Alaskans and Alaskan communities to address what is most important to them; and
- Supporting and nurturing connections between people, resources, organizations, business and government towards the vision.