General Grant
General Grant
Arctic Slope Community Foundation
As the only 501c3 community foundation for the Arctic Slope region, we believe in helping our region through grant funds for charitable purposes and carrying out programs that build capacity and strengthen a culture of giving.
Mission
Strengthening our culture by giving and improving the quality of life among the people of the Arctic Slope.
Vision
Every community in our region is healthy and vibrant, and traditional Inupiat values guide and enhance our modern ways of life.
Values
Culture, Sharing, Elders & Youth, Volunteerism, Dedication & Hard Work, Community Awareness, Community Convener.
Meet the Arctic Slope Community Foundation
ASCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the lives of residents in Alaska’s Arctic Slope region. We proudly serve the communities of Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, Barrow, Atqasuk, Anaktuvuk Pass, Nuiqsut, and Kaktovik by:
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Grantmaking: Funding vital programs in food security, education, and cultural preservation.
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Capacity Building: Supporting local organizations through training and development.
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Community Engagement: Connecting residents with resources and opportunities for growth.
FAQ's
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Are ASRC and ASCF the same thing?
No. While the Arctic Slope Community Foundation (ASCF) was “born” out of the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) in 2009, ASCF is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. ASCF is led by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of five leaders from the Arctic Slope region. -
Who is eligible to receive grants from ASCF?
ASCF provides grants to tribes, cities, nonprofits, and churches whose work benefits the people of the Arctic Slope region. Individuals, for-profit companies, non-formal entities, and organizations barred from receiving charitable funds are not eligible. -
What types of grants does ASCF fund?
ASCF funds programs that are charitable in nature and aim to improve the quality of life in the Arctic Slope region. Typical areas of focus include food security, healthy communities, education, and the preservation of the Iñupiaq language and culture. -
As an ASRC shareholder running a nonprofit in Anchorage, am I eligible to apply for ASCF grants?
No. ASCF grants are limited to projects and programs that directly benefit the residents of the Arctic Slope region. Organizations outside of this geographical area are not eligible. -
Does ASCF grant funds to start-up businesses?
No. ASCF only grants funds for charitable causes and do not distribute funding for start-up businesses. For more information on start-up funds for small businesses please contact the Small Business Development Center of Alaska or Alaska Growth Capital.
2024 ASCF Survey Results
Arctic Slope Community Foundation would like to thank all those who participated in our 2024 Quality of Life Survey. Please click below to view the survey results.
The 2024 Quality of Life Survey, conducted by the Arctic Slope Community Foundation (ASCF) leadership, provides the organization’s first comprehensive assessment of life across eight Arctic Slope communities: UtqiaÄ¡vik, Wainwright, Nuiqsut, Point Lay, Point Hope, Kaktovik, Anaktuvuk Pass, and Atqasuk. This report presents a detailed analysis of the survey results, highlighting regional trends and community-specific insights. The survey, which gathered responses from 304 participants, covered various aspects of life, including overall quality of life, community safety, housing availability, mental health resources, and food security.
ASCF Grant Impact
Since its inception in 2009, the Arctic Slope Community Foundation has made a significant impact across the Arctic Slope region.
250+
Grants for Nonprofits
$13M+
Distributed to Nonprofits
$21M+
Federal Grant Funded Projects
Grant Funding and Programs
The Arctic Slope Community Foundation (ASCF) was founded in 2009 as a way to strengthen the culture of giving and improve the quality of life for residents in the Arctic Slope region of Alaska. Incorporated as a nonprofit with roots in the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, ASCF became a public 501(c)(3) organization in 2010, enabling it to serve as the region’s only public charity dedicated to addressing the unique challenges of its eight remote communities.
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Since its founding, ASCF has invested over $34 million into the Arctic Slope, funding more than 260 successful grant programs. These initiatives have supported food security, cultural preservation, education, infrastructure, and more. The Foundation continues to distribute hundreds of thousands of dollars into the arctic region annually in grants, addressing the pressing needs of the communities it serves.
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2020
ASCF shifted its business model, adopting a stronger focus on food security, with the Board approving a $500,000 resolution to support local food programs.
2021
The Foundation began managing federal grants directly, increasing its ability to support impactful programs.
2022
Federal grant revenue reached its highest level, enabling organizational growth and diversified services.
2023
ASCF launched a financial literacy program to help regional organizations build capacity and access resources.
2024
ASCF proudly launched the Tribal Educator Apprenticeship in 2024, a DOL-approved program integrating ICC Inupiaq Education Standards. This innovative initiative empowers paraprofessionals to become certified teachers while staying in their villages, supporting education within their communities.
2025
ASCF invests time and resources in developing capacity building programs to support the needs of our region’s organizations.
2021-2023 Grants Awarded
Food Security
$1.4M
Education
$512K
Healthy Communities
$590K
Inupiaq Arts & Culture
$160K
QUYANAQPAK TO OUR 2024 VIVA LAS ARCTIC SLOPE SPONSORS
