There are many stories that make up Alaska – many voices, many cultures, many identities. At the Alaska Humanities Forum, we believe that stories – and in particular stories that reflect a more inclusive narrative of our state – have the power to help bridge difference and spark connection by deepening our understanding of others, ourselves, and our communities. This means that stories are not only central, but critical, to the work of strengthening communities across the state.
This grant seeks to invest in projects that share and give space to stories that need to be told, and especially those stories, voices and experiences that have been underrecognized or excluded from public discourse. By doing so, we hope this grant can contribute to building a deeper, more complex, and more inclusive narrative of Alaska’s past, present, and future.
If you are interested in applying, please review the full Grant Overview & Guidelines below. You may also view a preview of the application.
How do I apply?
Open for applications through November 29, 2023.
We offer several ways to apply to the Stories Grant.
Online. To complete the application online, please visit the Forum’s Submittable page at https://akhf.submittable.com/submit. If this is your first time using Submittable, you will need to create an account. As you complete the application, you may save drafts and return later.
By email. Applicants may complete the application by submitting typed or handwritten answers by email. If submitting your application by email, please use the PDF application linked here. Please note this PDF includes fillable fields.
By video or audio recording. Applicants may complete the application by submitting video or audio recordings of all application answers. Please ensure you are conscientious of word count requirements in your answers. To submit your application via recording, please contact our Grants team using the contact information on page 2 to determine the best submission platform for your needs.
By phone. To apply by phone, please have your answers to all application questions prepared in advance and ensure you are conscientious of word count requirements in your answers. Our team can then record your answers over the phone. To apply by phone, please contact our Grants team using the contact information on page 2.
If you would like to submit your application another way, or if you have any other questions about the application, please contact the Forum’s Grants team.
Is this grant a fit for my project?
Who we fund:
Applicants must be Alaska-based nonprofit organizations or federally recognized tribal governments. For-profit organizations are not eligible to apply. At this time, we cannot fund individuals. Individuals may partner with organizations to apply for grant funding, but please note we cannot award pass-through entities; the grantee organization must play a meaningful role in the project design, implementation, and/or distribution.
Potential projects:
Written articles for print or digital distribution;
Oral histories, podcasts, and other audio projects;
Documentary-based photography and short video/film projects; and
Multimedia, web-based, and other digital projects.
Key dates
- August 30, 2023 – Stories Grants application opens
- November 3, 2023 at 11:59pm – Optional draft review submission deadline
- November 29, 2023 at 11:59pm – Final application deadline
- January 3, 2024 – Announcement of grant awards (35 days after app. deadline)
- February 1, 2024 – Grant funding period begins
- January 31, 2025 – Grant funding period ends (by request, funding may be extended. See below.)
Requesting Proposal Consultation and Assistance
The Alaska Humanities Forum Grants team is available to consult with applicants on project ideas and draft proposals. To receive feedback on proposals, drafts must be submitted by the draft review deadline, November 3, 2023. To submit a draft for review, please reach out using the contact information below. If submitting a draft for review via Submittable, please include “DRAFT FOR REVIEW” in the Project Title field.
All feedback or suggestions are based on our past experience working with grantees and our selection committee, and do not guarantee funding. Note, Forum staff do not make funding decisions; our Board of Directors has final approval.
Shoshi Bieler, Grants & Stories Programs Manager
sbieler(at)akhf(dot)org
907-770-8406
