The Rasmuson Foundation board of directors approved a $1.5 million grant to the Alaska Community Foundation’s Voices Across Alaska Fund, an emergency response community drive created to temporarily sustain public media stations across Alaska following the loss of federal funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

Public media stations in Alaska are facing a $15 million sudden shortfall in annual funding, with rural and remote communities among the hardest hit. For many of these communities, public media is the only reliable source of news, weather, emergency alerts, and cultural programming. 

“In Alaska, public media provides a way for families to track school closures, elders to access news in their language, and for communities to receive updates during natural disasters,” said Gretchen Guess, president and CEO of Rasmuson Foundation. “This investment is about meeting the moment and ensuring these vital lifelines remain strong.” 

The Voices Across Alaska Fund will provide support to keep stations on the air and maintain broadcast licenses while leaders develop a longer-term, statewide sustainability plan.   

“This support from Rasmuson Foundation will help communities share the stories of places that would otherwise have no way to tell them,” said Alexandra McKay, president and CEO of the Alaska Community Foundation. “In Alaska, public media is more than just news or entertainment. It makes sure our communities have a voice and keeps us informed. We’re grateful to Rasmuson for helping to keep these connections strong.” 

The grant builds on the Foundation’s long history of investing in Alaska’s public broadcasting system, which has received nearly $6 million in Foundation funding since 1981. This includes support for critical infrastructure, statewide reporting collaborations, and Indigenous programming such as Molly of Denali. 

The Voices Across Alaska Fund has already secured more than $2 million from other funders and continues to seek additional contributions to close the remaining $11.5 million gap. Donations of any amount can be made online through the Alaska Community Foundation.  

The Rasmuson Foundation grant was announced as Alaska Community Foundation launches a statewide digital fundraising campaign seeking donations to the newly launched Voices Across Alaska Fund.