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Awesome Alaska: Making Alaska an even more awesome place one $1000 grant at a time.

We’re here to help. Ten awesome individuals, artists, writers, entrepreneurs, business wizards, and all-around smart folks want to get behind your idea. We’re the names, brains, and money to catalyze your fabulous project.

Our next proposal period will end on January 15 and those funds will be awarded at the end of January. Have a safe and peaceful end of 2019 and here's to an AWESOME 2020.

Who we are:

• Ken Castner - Proximity theorist
• Rand Hagenstein - conservationist, aspiring agrarian and charcutier, super-voter
• Anne Hanley - Playwright, Producer of The Winter Bear Project, first-time grandmother, fan of awesomeness in all forms
• Owen Hanley - Pulmonary physician (ret), skier, biker, runner and clean air advocate.
• Nancy Lord - Environmental writer
• Paula Martin - entomologist, educator, consultant and writer
• Joe Martin - mariner, bicyclist, and fixer of things
• Dorli McWayne - flutist, teacher of flutists from 6 to 60+, conductor, four-season runner.
• Jo Michalski - Retired entrepreneur, community activist, parent, grandmother and 46 year Alaskan.
• Peter Michalski - lawyer, mediator, former judge, believer in community
• John Mouw - lover of food, reading, community and life.
• Rika Mouw - artist and passionate advocate for nature and wild places.
• Kesler Woodward - painter, art historian, curator, and token artist on boards, commissions, panels, and task forces in Alaska and the West.
• Neil Wagner - entrepreneur of multifarious ventures who loves nature, travel and gardening
• Kyra Wagner - an enthusiastic person of place
• Anne Wilkas - Lifelong learner, eater, conservationist and outdoor enthusiast
• Evie Witten - ecologist, entrepreneur, enthusiastic harvester and fermenter, and sporadic potter
• Erin Hollowell – dean – poet first and foremost, planter/nurturer of seeds and ideas, champion for the written word

Who we fund:

• Do you qualify for a PFD? (And if you don’t know what a permanent fund dividend is, you’re not an Alaskan – in other words, we only fund current Alaskans who qualify for a dividend.)
• Folks with absolutely awesome ideas that have impact, surprise, and ingenuity.
• Note: we reserve the right to not award a grant during any period during which the Trustees do not receive a proposal that fits their standards.

Things to consider in your application:

• Proposals are due on the 15th of the month, decisions are rendered by the end of the month. All unsuccessful proposals are then deleted.
• How is $1000 going to make a difference to your project, you as an individual, and Alaska as a community?
• What makes your project unique?
• If your idea is time-sensitive, please apply at least 60 days in advance and make sure that you let us know your “deadline.”

Got a question? Contact us directly at alaska@awesomefoundation.org and ask away!