Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission
The Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (Commission), based in Utqiagvik, Alaska, is a nonprofit corporation organized for the purpose of preserving and enhancing the marine resources of Bowhead whales including protection of habitat, Eskimo subsistence Bowhead whaling, and the Eskimo culture and traditions associated with Bowhead whales as well as whaling through research and educational activities related to Bowhead whales.
Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission at a glance
- Total assets
- $1,758,429
- -0.3% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $2,906,938
- +49.3% vs 2024
- Net investment income (2025)
- $533
- +2322.7% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $2,913,888
- +39.4% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission funds
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2020, annual grant giving ranged from $35K (2020) to $51K (2019). In 2020 it made 1 grant totaling $35K.
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,758,429 | $2,906,938 | $2,913,888 | — | — | $533 |
| 2024 | $1,763,211 | $1,947,632 | $2,089,771 | — | — | $22 |
| 2023 | $1,757,073 | $2,366,310 | $2,282,675 | — | — | $7 |
| 2022 | $1,628,405 | $2,436,931 | $2,214,955 | — | — | $3 |
| 2021 | $1,489,713 | $2,524,710 | $1,876,391 | — | — | $2 |
| 2020 | $1,047,585 | $2,119,521 | $2,564,705 | $34,880 | 1 | $6 |
| 2019 | $1,283,943 | $2,379,516 | $2,172,379 | $50,978 | 1 | $8 |
About Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission
Based on IRS filings
Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission is a public charity, based in Barrow, AK. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.8M in total assets. Net investment income was $533.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission is led by Lesley Hopson, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; all 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lesley Hopson
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
38 hrs/week
$43K (2022) → $99K (2025)
John Hopson Jr.
Chairman
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$5K (2019) → $37K (2025)
Edmond Apassingok
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$4K (2019) → $12K (2025)
Enoch Adams Jr.
Director
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$3K (2019) → $8K (2025)
Julius Rexford
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$8K (2019) → $11K (2025)
Herber Kinneeveauk III
Director
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
$4K (2021) → $28K (2025)
John Waghiyi Jr.
Director
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
$4K (2021) → $12K (2025)
Michael Ahkinga Sr.
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
$3K (2024) → $6K (2025)
Peter Ozenna
Director
On filings since 2024
4 hrs/week
$4K (2024) → $13K (2025)
Ira Itta
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
$2K (2025)
Crawford Patkotak
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$9K (2019) → $23K (2025)
George Kaleak Sr.
Treasurer
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$2K (2019) → $23K (2025)
Thomas Napageak
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$2K (2019) → $4K (2025)
Former officers (8)
- Former: Raymond Seetok (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Ronald Ozenna Jr. (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Gary Swan (2024) — Director
- Former: Sarah Espelin (2019–2023) — Contract CFO
- Former: Austin Swan Sr. (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Arnold Brower Jr. (2019–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: George Noongwook (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Russell Lane (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $99K, to Lesley Hopson (Executive Dir.). 13 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission
How large is Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission?
Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.9M.
Where does Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission operate?
Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission has awarded grants in Alaska.
What is Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission's EIN?
Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-0081760. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
Other open foundation grants in Alaska
Alaska Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission's focus areas in our free grants database
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Doyon Foundation
Fairbanks, AK
Doyon Foundation primarily funds scholarships, workforce development, and language revitalization for Doyon, Limited shareholders and their descendants, with a focus on Alaska Native communities; scholarship recipients may live outside Alaska. Typical itemized awards were $400–$5,500, with a $2,400 median, while specific scholarship programs offer different amounts. It accepts applications for its scholarship and language grant programs; the information provided does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests for general grants.
Assets
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Total Given
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Assets
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Arctic Education Foundation
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Assets
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Total Given
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The Alaska Community Foundation
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Assets
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Rasmuson Foundation
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Grants
300
Total Given
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Bristol Bay Foundation
Anchorage, AK
Bristol Bay Foundation funds education and cultural heritage projects, including scholarships for eligible BBNC shareholders and descendants and grants that preserve Bristol Bay’s Indigenous culture and way of life. In 2024, grants ranged from $200 to $16,000, with a median of $2,500; funding is for organizations in the Bristol Bay region or projects benefiting BBNC shareholders. It accepts unsolicited proposals through its online application process.
Assets
$40.8M
Grants
290
Total Given
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