So many Alaska organizations have stepped up to respond during the coronavirus pandemic and so many needs remain. Those looking for support from Rasmuson Foundation should start with a call to 907-297-2700. We will get back to you soon.

Meanwhile, we compiled this list of resources including sources of emergency grants. We will keep updating it, so please let us know when new opportunities emerge.

Jan. 21, 2021 update: Two opportunities for artists are now open:

  • The Alaska State Council on the Arts has just announced an Adaptation and Innovation Grant Program fitting for this time. Projects can be wide-ranging. Examples include:  Artist seeks professional development to build a website for online commerce.  School seeks funding for art kits to be used with an online artist workshop. Theater needs Plexiglass to make lobby safe for in-person access. Culture bearer seeks funding for supplies to safely share traditional art forms with community. Rolling deadline — apply at least 30 days before the planned activity. For more: https://arts.alaska.gov/adaptation-and-innovation-grant…
  • The United Way of Mat-Su and its Art Trail Advisory Board are seeking five Alaska artists with creative and innovative ideas to celebrate the rich culture and history of the Valley. Application deadline: Feb. 5. Finalists will have their work installed in locations in and around the Palmer core area for an accessible walking tour. The installation will occur in the spring of 2021. A stipend of $1,000 will be included at the completion of each piece. While this call for submissions is open to artists statewide, preference will be given to those residing in the Mat-Su Borough. All interested artists will need to email submissions to admin@unitedwaymatsu.org. Questions? Call 745-5824 or email admin@unitedwaymatsu.org. Details here: RFP for Artists-Palmer Arts & Cultural Trail FINAL

Nov. 16 update: The Municipality of Anchorage is accepting applications for two additional economic relief grant programs: The Individual Artist Relief Grant Program and a second round of the Hospitality Business Relief Grant Program Tier C.

For the art awards, eligible artists can apply here. Learn more through this FAQ document. Deadline is Nov. 29. For the business grants, the deadline is Dec. 13. Eligible businesses can apply online. Learn more in this FAQ document for hospitality businesses.

Aug. 28 update: Alaska CARES Act fund is reopening on Aug. 31 to allow small businesses and nonprofits that previously received certain kinds of help to receive grants. This is first-come, first served. Don’t delay!

Added July 10: Coronavirus Nonprofit Relief Fund. Read The Alaska Community Foundation announcement here.

Healthcare guidance

  • Feel sick? Call your healthcare provider first — don’t go to the ER.
  • Need a healthcare provider? Call 2-1-1 for referrals.
  • Need a vaccine? Here’s the state schedule for eligibility.
  • Coronavirus in Alaska: The state Department of Health and Social Services coronavirus response hub includes data, health presentations and more.
  • Track the pandemic: COVID-19 world map and dashboard from Johns Hopkins University.

Testing

It is now available in many Alaska communities.

  • Where to be tested: Here is a clickable map to find a location near you.
  • Anchorage:
    • Alaska Native Medical Center: Free testing is open for patients on site.  Individuals can be tested for antibodies, the active virus, or both. For those without symptoms, walk-up and drive-through testing options are available. Protocols differ for those with symptoms, so call your provider or the walk-in clinic at (907) 729-1500.
    • Municipal drive-through: This site at 4115 Lake Otis Parkway offers free testing. A medical referral is not required but individuals must register first and need a reason for being tested such as symptoms or recent out-of-state travel.
    • Check the clickable map link for details on these locations:
      • ChangePoint Church, 6689 Changepoint Drive
      • Fairview Community Recreation Center, 1121 East 10th Avenue
      • Anchorage Church of Christ, 2700 Debarr Road
      • Muldoon Community Assembly, 7041 Debarr Road
      • Z.J. Loussac Library, 3600 Denali Street
    •  First Care Medical is offering tests for walk-ins. New patients must register first.
  • Southeast Alaska: The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is offering free COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic patients across the region starting July 11 and 12 in Juneau, Wrangell and Sitka, and in other communities later in the month. The testing in Juneau is for tribal members and for all community members elsewhere. Press release here; details to come.
  • Yukon Kuskokwim Delta: Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation is offering free testing for individuals with symptoms.

For individuals and families

Financial help

Food distribution

  • Anchorage School District: Daily meals for students, distribution information.
  • Food Bank of Alaska: Resources in Southcentral Alaska: This includes how to apply for SNAP,  Children’s Lunchbox distribution sites and mobile food pantries. Here is where you find the latest distribution sites for mobile food pantries.
  • Mutual Aid Network of Anchorage: Volunteer-led help for the elderly and vulnerable.

Housing

  • Alaska Housing Finance Corp.: Apply for reduced rent related to lost income.

For organizations

Emergency grants

  • AK Can Do: Statewide COVID-19 relief fund providing emergency grants that target critical services related to coronavirus. Nonprofits can apply here for awards of up to $20,000. Created in partnership with The Alaska Community Foundation, United Way of Anchorage and Rasmuson Foundation.
  • Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority: Emergency grants of up to $25,000 to organizations serving trust beneficiaries including those helping with emergency needs, personal protective equipment, and supplies to prevent coronavirus transmission.
  • Alaska CARES Act: Grants of $5,000 to $100,000 are available first-come, first-served for Alaska small businesses including nonprofits. The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority and Credit Union 1 have partnered to provide relief.  Update: Businesses and nonprofits that participated in the Paycheck Protection Program at any level now are eligible. Details, an instructional video and an application are available on the state website.
  • Community foundations: Local foundations have created their own emergency funds, providing both an avenue for donations and a source of help.
  • Sealaska: $1 million relief fund to help Alaska Native communities and nonprofit organizations delivering urgent recovery services.
  • Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund: Donated fees from processing Paycheck Protection Program loans will support nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions especially those that serve Black- and other minority-owned businesses. Program overview here; deadline for first round is August 7.

Related resources for nonprofits

  • The Foraker Group: COVID-19 resources for nonprofits, including webinars on re-imagining fundraising, crisis communications and hosting virtual meetings.
  • Premera Rural Health Fund: Grants up to $100,000 to healthcare organizations that serve Alaskans outside of the urban centers.  The latest round of proposals were under review in mid-August.
  • Thompson & Co: An hour of free public relations services for Alaska nonprofits.

Grants for artists and arts organizations

For those in crisis

  • Alaska Careline: 1-877-266-HELP (4357)
  • Anchorage Community Mental Health: 907-371-1300
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline:  Those quarantined in a dangerous situation can call 1-800-799-7233, or TTY at 1-800-787-3224, or chat at thehotline.org
  • Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living: Programs to prevent domestic violence, sexual assault and suicide. Call to talk with someone: 1-907-452-2293; toll free, 1-800-478-7273.
  • Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255

For parents and caregivers

Updates and news

Government updates

University of Alaska

University of Alaska: COVID-19 clearinghouse including information on virtual learning, campus status and more.

News coverage of the pandemic

How to help

Consider donating: AK Can Do is the COVID-19 statewide relief fund. You can donate to the general cause or target your gift to either nonprofits or individuals and families. You can even pick the geographic area you want to help.