Alaska Airlines Foundation

Our grants focus on young people in the communities where we fly.

Our Alaska Airlines Foundation grants focus on young people where Alaska Airlines has a significant presence in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington – especially those in underserved communities in these states. Working closely with community partners, the Alaska Airlines Foundation will focus on programs, partnerships and initiatives that inspire, empower, mentor, engage and equip young people to connect to career opportunities and to imagine what’s possible. The Alaska Airlines Foundation is partnering with organizations with a clear vision on equipping the next generation of leaders with the knowledge, skills and to provide pathways for success.

Grants are designed to fund and enhance a new or current program provided by a 501(c)(3) organization. Preference for grant decisions is toward supporting young people between about the ages of 10 and 20.

Programs should focus on at least one or more of the following:

  • Career exploration and career connected learning experiences
  • Mentorships
  • Soft skills, critical thinking, empowerment, job training and leadership development
  • Advanced degree or Career and Technical Certification or preparation and support

Grant application and reporting requirements

The Alaska Airlines Foundation reviews applications two times a year. The deadline for submission is on March 31 and July 31. The Foundation is supporting nonprofit organizations located in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, where Alaska Airlines has a significant presence.

The Alaska Airlines Foundation would like to receive periodic updates on the progress of the program and will work with organizations regarding timing. This could include potential metrics and feedback channels to learn and gauge impact.

Grant budget guidelines

The Alaska Airlines Foundation generally provides grants that range from $5,000 to $20,000. Many of our grants will be on the lower side of that range in the first few years of our new grant criteria, to help us develop partnerships and learn. The average grant will be based on numbers of young people served, geographic reach, organizational capacity, size of operating budget, demonstrated impact, and specific program budget.

Funds should be spent within one year of grant award.

In all cases, the project budget should show reasonable per client costs and no more than 50% of the request can be designated for either general operating costs or staff salaries. The funds requested should not represent more than 10% of the organization's overall operating budget or more than 50% of the program budget.

The Alaska Airlines Foundation will give priority funding to organizations that can demonstrate partnership and long-term program sustainability.

Eligibility requirements

The Alaska Airlines Foundation expects the organizations to which it provides funding to hold themselves out as organizations that do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military/veteran status, gender identity and expression, genetic information or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.

Eligible entities must be U.S. based tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Ineligible entities and activities

Due to regulatory considerations and the Foundation’s funding focus, the following entities and activities are not eligible for funding from The Alaska Airlines Foundation:

  • Nonprofit organizations without a current 501(c)(3) exempt status
  • Political, labor, and fraternal organizations
  • Religious organizations without a secular community designation. A secular designation is defined as an organization separate from the church or religious organization that provides services to people regardless of their religious beliefs and does not propagate a belief in a specific faith. Example: A food bank that is a separate 501(c)(3) organization from a church and provides food and meals to anyone who qualifies for services, regardless of religious belief.
  • Hospitals and medical research institutions
  • Individuals
  • Universities and academic research institutions
  • Conferences or symposia
  • Individual schools, school districts, or Parent Teacher Associations
  • Multi-year grants
  • Capital campaigns
  • Exhibitions and performances
  • Individual sports teams and sports tournaments
  • One-time volunteer events not connected to a program curriculum
  • Trips and travel
  • Contests
  • Festivals and parades
  • Sponsorship of fundraising or other events including tables
  • Advertising
  • Tickets to events
  • Supply drives

How to apply

Here are a few things to keep in mind when applying for an Alaska Airlines Foundation grant:

  • Once submitted, all requests are personally reviewed
  • Please review our Alaska Airlines Foundation grant guidelines and eligibility requirements above
  • All requests must be submitted before the deadlines for that round of consideration
  • You will receive a response via e-mail
  • You can check the status or your request through your online profile

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