Community Projects: Alaska Libraries 

Fund Spotlight:

An ACF supporter

For many years, ACF gew because of the tremendous energy and commitment of its only staff member, Marcia Hastings. When Marcia retired, the ACF Board of Directors recognized Marcia’s efforts by establishing a fund in her honor.

Fund Spotlight:

Maria Elena Ball

When Milqueya Franjul died, her friend and employer Maria Elena Ball wanted to remember her as someone always ready to give a hand to those in need. Ball established a fund in memory of Milqueya to continue helping individuals who might fall through the cracks. Today, the fund continues to grow and grants are made to the neediest by working through nonprofit organizations.

Fund Spotlight:

Fans of cross-country

We all know cross-country skiing is popular in Alaska as evidenced by the number of funds supporting the winter sport. ACF manages funds for a variety of organizations, including the Nordic Ski Association, the Alaska Ski Educational Foundation, and the Alaska Cross-Country Ski Racer Development Fund. These funds and others help support the programs that continue to improve our athletes’ abilities for years to come.

Fund Spotlight:

Friends of Campbell Creek Science Center

In an age when children suffer from nature deficit disorder and urban dwellers are increasingly removed from our big, wild Alaska, the Friends of the Campbell Creek Science Center work to assure that time in the outdoors is affordable to all children.

They learn about insects, watersheds, forest growth and minerals as part of the exploration of the natural world.

FundSpotlight:

Bob and Cindy Camilli

Eagle River residents Bob and Cindy Camilli use their endowed fund, the Bob & Cindy Camilli Fund, to teach their daughters the importance of supporting the community where they work and play. As a family, they determine the causes they want to support and help determine how funds invested at ACF will help further causes they care about.

Fund Spotlight:

Ionia eco-village

The small village of Kasilof on the Kenai Peninsula is home to Ionia, a close-knit eco-village for those who experience behavioral disabilities. Residents live communally in a supportive environment that's a combination of an agrarian lifestyle, alternative energies and supportive behavioral health techniques. The Ionia Endowment Fund helps support the community's ongoing maintenance and operations.

Fund Spotlight:

The Kincaid Project

Anchorage’s Kincaid Park is a favorite spot for a variety of summer and winter activities, but the prospect of development often resulted in clashing interests.

The Kincaid Project Group brought together those interested in soccer, cross-country skiing and biathlons to create improved fields, trails and facilities available to all users.

Fund Spotlight:

Scotty Gomez

Hero to many young hockey players throughout Alaska, Scotty Gomez established a foundation to make the lives of young hockey players easier. His fund ensures the continued support and development of youth hockey programs. Scotty continues to be a role model to young hockey players everywhere who dream of the NHL and live through his example. Read More >

Fund Spotlight:

The Hakkinen Family

Lib and Whitey Hakkinen's children established a fund with ACF to celebrate their late parents' love of Alaska. The fund provides support for continuing education of employees of the Sheldon Museum & Cultural Center in Haines.

Fund Spotlight:

A professional association

Charitable support is not just for corporations, but also for professional associations, as evidenced by the Anchorage Air Cargo Association. When their friend and co-worker (Jim Snead) died, association members established a fund in his honor. Today, the fund supports the efforts of individuals studying transportation or international business.

Fund Spotlight:

Memorial museum

Alaska Native people across the state are working hard to preserve and revitalize many aspects of their culture. The Simon Paneak Memorial Museum in Anaktuvuk Pass provides a safe place for the preservation of traditional knowledge, values and skills through its collections and programs.

Museum leaders work closely with North Slope community leaders and village elders to collect, record and interpret the Inupiat people's cultural traditions.

Fund Spotlight:

KAYHI alumni

Alumni from the community of Ketchikan have shown for years they care about the young people in their community by establishing a scholarship for current Ketchikan High School students.

What makes their commitment unique is that the supporters now live all over the United States. They've long since moved away from their hometown, but the scholarship is a way they can stay connected to the city and school.

Fund Spotlight:

Training skilled workers

Construction of Alaska’s natural gas pipeline is just one project on the horizon that will provide jobs for many Alaskans. Seward’s Alaska Vocational Technical Center is poised to train skilled workers for key positions on the pipeline.

The school’s fund at ACF provides general operating support that will ensure the school can support Alaska’s growing labor needs for many years to come.

Fund Spotlight:

Edmund Schuster

Edmund and Eveline Schuster always believed in supporting the state they so enjoy and love. While Eveline has passed away, Edmund continues his support for many nonprofits he cares about by using Edmund & Eveline Schuster Family Fund. Through estate planning, he’s also making sure that support continues. Read more >

Fund Spotlight:

The circumpolar region

The American Society for Circumpolar Health Fund helps support the work of this group in ensuring the health of the people living in the circumpolar region, including Alaska. The fund provides researchers with seed money for projects and attendance at conferences where research is shared.

Fund Spotlight:

Mat-Su Matters

People in the Mat-Su Valley who have developmental disabilities rely on the services of the Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults. The nonprofit provides many programs to prepare individuals for greater independence and a sense of inclusion in the community. The agency's endowment fund is designed to ensure the group's programs are offered even if other support is gone.