Photo description: (Left to right) Tasha Pineda and Dr. Jessica Black of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Nome during the 2024 Grantmakers Tour of Alaska.

One of the things I love most about my job is getting to share Alaska with others. I’ve been lucky to travel across the state, meet inspiring community leaders, and witness the impact of local innovation firsthand. And every time I introduce someone new to Alaska, I’m reminded just how special this place is.

This is the premise behind the Foundation’s Grantmakers Tour. The idea is simple: If we can show grantmakers the real Alaska — not just its incredible landscapes, but its communities, its nonprofits, its tribal organizations — maybe they’ll want to invest here. And, over the years, they have.

The first tour happened in 1997, when Elmer Rasmuson invited five funders from the Lower 48 to learn more about giving opportunities. His vision was to use Foundation dollars to attract other funders to Alaska, bringing more partners to the table for big projects.

Bringing together funding and partnerships is where meaningful change begins. It’s about aligning resources and ideas in ways that create lasting, meaningful impact. This principle is a reflection of one of our core values: collaborative relationships. We believe that working together, with mutual respect and shared purpose, leads to stronger communities and better outcomes for all. The Grantmakers Tour brings that spirit to life, inviting others to walk alongside us and invest in the future of Alaska.

As we prepare for the next Grantmakers Tour, we are guided by several key goals that reflect both the heart of the Foundation’s mission and our commitment to meaningful partnerships. First, we’re focused on strengthening relationships with grantmakers and external partners, not only for the sake of funding, but to build long-term collaboration and investment in Alaska. We also aim to provide an immersive experience for tour participants, one that deepens their understanding of our state’s culture, environment, and community priorities. That means listening to and learning from local Alaskans every step of the way.

Equally important is ensuring that our presence in each community is rooted in respect and appreciation. Every host, every partner, every neighbor we meet should feel valued. And finally, we are committed to facilitating a seamless and transparent tour experience that meets the needs of both our team and our partners. These goals help ensure that the tour remains not just a trip, but a shared journey grounded in respect, learning, and mutual purpose.

Last year, we kicked things off with our tour being centered in Fairbanks, Alaska’s Golden Heart City, for the very first time. There, we had rich conversations about the Arctic Leadership Initiative with partners at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. From there, we traveled north to the Arctic Slope. In Utqiaġvik, we learned from local leaders and even took a (very brisk!) plunge into the Arctic Ocean. The experience was both humbling and energizing. A reminder of the deep cultural knowledge, innovation, and resilience rooted in our northern communities.

The Arctic Leadership Initiative itself is a powerful example of what large-scale collaborative partnership can look like in Alaska. It brings together the University of Alaska, Indigenous leaders, and other partners to put Alaskans front and center in shaping the future of the Arctic. The initiative celebrates Indigenous knowledge and expertise, lifts up Alaska leadership, and reminds the rest of the country just how strategically important this state is. We were thrilled to support this work with a $5 million grant. But efforts like this are bigger than any one funder. The Grantmaker’s Tour is an important way we connect other funders to the incredible work happening here and invite them to join us in supporting transformative projects like this one.

Planning for the next Grantmakers Tour is already underway, and we’re as energized as ever. Beginning this year, the tour will shift to a biannual schedule, giving us more time to build meaningful connections and plan deeper engagements. The tour continues to be an invitation to connect with and learn from the remarkable people and organizations driving change in Alaska’s communities. This year, we’re visiting different communities from last year and are excited to start the journey.

If you’re a grantmaker interested in being part of a future journey, we’d love to hear from you.