Frequently Asked Questions

Does ACF fund projects or organizations outside of Alaska?
ACF funds projects consistent with its mission. Grants are made primarily to organizations—or for projects—located in Alaska. ACF has funded groups located outside of Alaska, but only for projects benefiting Alaska or for work conducted inside the state by an outside organization.

Does ACF make grants to individuals?
ACF has, at times, provided grants to individuals working on projects consistent with ACF’s mission. Grants to individuals are rare, however, and not normally encouraged.

What are the grant ranges?
General grant requests can be for amounts up to $25,000 but are more often in the $10-$15,000 range. Requests for less than $2,500 are considered under the Small Grants Program. Please see Types of Grants for other ACF grantmaking programs, deadline dates, and grant ranges.

How many times can my organization submit proposals in a given year?
Organizations may submit proposal requests throughout the year, in accordance with proposal submission guidelines.

I can’t tell if my project fits under Rapid Response, Small Grant, or other grant program.
If you have questions about project eligibility, contact ACF staff. Grants made under the Rapid Response Program are for immediate issues that must be addressed quickly. Rapid Response grants are often made to address issue-related emergencies with statewide or national significance. Rapid Response project time periods are often less than three months in duration. Small grants, covering requests up to $2,500, are designed to address organizational and project needs not anticipated during the organization’s budgeting process. Membership and major donor challenges fall under the Small Grants category.

I can’t tell if my request is for operating or project support.
All prospective grant seekers are encouraged to contact ACF prior to submitting their proposal. ACF staff can clarify any questions concerning the appropriate request category.

Who can apply for operating support?
Organizations must have a track record with ACF prior to submitting a request for operating support. This means having successfully completed at least three ACF project support grants. Contact ACF program staff prior to submitting your request. Local chapters of national organizations are not eligible for ACF operating support.

Annual audits are required to be included with my proposal. What if my organization does not get annual audits?
ACF realizes that many smaller organizations do not receive annual financial audits. Contact ACF to clarify any questions about this requirement.

Does the grant deadline refer to the postmark date or “received by” date?
All proposals are due at ACF by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date. (This means if the deadline date is July 1, proposals must received by ACF staff no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 1.) Proposals received after the deadline may not be considered until the following cycle. ACF does not accept general grantmaking proposals via e-mail or fax.

When do I hear if our operating or project support grant is awarded?
Information regarding notification is included in the acknowledgement letters sent upon receipt of your proposal. Typically, ACF’s general grantmaking program has three cycles each year. If you submit a proposal for the March deadline, you will be notified in late May. Proposals received in July will be awarded in early October. December applicants will hear in late February of the following year. All applicants are notified of the grantmaking committee’s decision by mail. Please do not call ACF to check on the status of your request.

What does ACF require of organizations receiving a grant?
In addition to any specific stipulations in the grant agreement, all grantees are required to sign and return a copy of the grant award letter and to submit a narrative and financial report in accordance with grant terms and conditions. Depending on the particular program, grantees may also be required to submit an interim report and/or attend grantee meetings.