The Foundation has historically provided capital support for parks, recreation facilities and trails across the state. The Foundation views these as investments in building healthier communities, strengthening families and generally improving the quality of life. Such investments also have positive impacts on health-related issues such as obesity and diabetes for children and adults.

In 2007, the Foundation awarded a five-year $8.3 million grant, through Alaska Community Foundation, for capital improvements to parks and trails improvements within the Municipality of Anchorage; start up funds for youth employment in Anchorage parks; and capacity building challenge grant for Anchorage Park Foundation.

The Anchorage Parks Initiative reflects broad community interests, as well as special use interests. It was designed to complement and take advantage of existing community processes; to support community-based programs; and to encourage, challenge, and leverage contributions by private citizens and the Municipality of Anchorage.

Challenge Grants
The Foundation supports challenge grants from Anchorage Park Foundation. Every dollar raised by community groups – whether cash, volunteer time, donations, grants or in-kind services – is matched by the Anchorage Park Foundation. Challenge grants demonstrate and reward community stewardship of parks projects and assets. In its first decade, the Anchorage Park Foundation completed 138 projects in Anchorage Parks.

Youth Employment in Parks
Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) is a 10-week summer program that hires Anchorage teens to complete park improvement projects. YEP is a partnership of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) and Anchorage Parks and Recreation.

Each year, a diverse group of teens gain valuable employment experience working in Anchorage parks while developing leadership and outdoor skills. This project is a way for Anchorage teens to learn about the environment, give back to our community, gain valuable job skills, and develop mentoring relationships with community leaders.