Alaska Airlines Foundation
The Alaska Airlines Foundation provides grants that support young people in communities we serve, with a particular focus on underserved areas in Alaska and Hawaii where we have a strong presence.
We partner with community programs and initiatives that empower and engage young people, connecting them to career opportunities and helping them envision their full potential. We work with organizations that have a clear vision to prepare the next generation of leaders by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and pathways for success.
Grants are intended to support and strengthen new or existing programs offered by 501(c)(3) organizations. Preference is given to programs that serve young people between the ages of 10 and 24.
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 July 1. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations located in Alaska and Hawaii, 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 ranging 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 criteria, to help us develop and learn from our partnerships. The average grant will be based on the number 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
Ready to begin your online application? Let's get started.