Rapid Response Grants

The Rapid Response Fund was established to allow a timely response to fast-breaking environmental issues and needs, often with a national flavor (e.g., fighting off unexpected riders in Congress). Rapid Response requests must address an issue of statewide or national importance.

Grantmaking Focus

Rapid Response requests must focus on Alaskan issues of statewide or national significance.

Areas of Interest

Ecosystem and lands protection
Marine conservation
Conservation advocacy
Expanding conservation constituencies

Favored Strategies

Convening diverse constituencies
Organizing media campaigns
Encouraging compliance with environmental laws and regulations
Organizing advocacy campaigns on emerging issues
Promoting citizen participation in public process
Providing public forums for continuing environmental awareness

Ineligible Requests

Requests for more than $15,000
Projects outside the state of Alaska
Land acquisition
Research
Capital campaigns
Endowments
Scholarships
Projects or activities that involve civil disobedience

Who May Apply

As a 501(c)(3) public foundation, ACF accepts requests for funding from incorporated, tax-exempt organizations, non-incorporated organizations, and individuals.

In order to qualify for consideration, prospective grantees must demonstrate that the majority of their regular, ongoing activities address issues congruent with ACF's mission: to protect Alaska’s intact ecosystems and promote sustainable livelihoods for all Alaskan communities and peoples.

When to Apply

There are no deadlines for requests to the Rapid Response Fund; however, applicants must first contact ACF program staff via e-mail or phone prior to sending a proposal to ACF. Generally, projects eligible for the Rapid Response program cannot wait until the regular project support grantmaking cycle.

How to Apply

Rapid Response projects must address an issue of statewide or national importance that arose in an unforeseeable manner. When applying for a grant, please contact the Program Officer to determine if the project fits within the grantmaking program. If invited, proposals to the Rapid Response Fund should provide a compelling narrative/justification, a clear timeline, a detailed budget, and have a good chance for success. The proposal should include the following:

Cover Sheet.
Purpose of the request and description.
Background on the issue to be addressed.
What action is to be taken and who will do it.
Description of the project's audience.
Timeline and budget for the project (including any additional income sources) and organizational operating expenses. Requests over $15,000 will not be considered under the Rapid Response Fund program. Requests for less than $2,500 will be considered under the Small Grants program.
IRS tax determination letter if a tax-exempt organization or Social Security number if an individual.

Rapid Response Fund proposal narratives should be no more than five pages in length.

Please submit your request via e-mail with "Rapid Response Request" in the subject listing.