Atwood Foundation Inc
Atwood Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Anchorage, Alaska, established in 1962 to benefit and advance the Anchorage community, particularly young people. It supports nonprofit projects and programs in the fine arts, journalism, history, and civic enterprises, with its website also identifying the active duty military community and activities engaging families and youth as areas of focus.
Atwood Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Atwood Foundation Inc gave $2.4M across 87 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), mostly in Alaska. 16% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,350,806
- -1.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 87
- -9.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,021
- +9.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $14,350
- Total assets
- $56,653,256
- +11.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (12 of 77, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Alaska (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Atwood Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website says applications must be submitted online. It asks first-time applicants, and previous applicants seeking support for a different project, to call and consult at least two weeks before the deadline; it says such applications submitted without prior consultation are usually not funded. The website describes awards for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Anchorage residents and visitors. Separately, the 2024 filing states that applicants should contact the foundation’s attention to Sara Perman with a written request stating their needs, and lists tax-exempt charitable organizations as eligible, with Alaskan organizations preferred. These application instructions differ.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists February 1 for March consideration, May 1 for June consideration, and August 1 for September consideration. The 2024 filing separately lists December 31 annually. The website says applicants are notified of awards or rejections and that funds are generally disbursed at the end of the month of consideration.
- Deadline
- The website lists February 1 for March consideration, May 1 for June consideration, and August 1 for September…
- Contact
Application contact: Atwood Foundation Attn Sara Perman
Mailing address: 301 W Northern Lights Blvd 440, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 274-4900
Website: https://atwoodfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Atwood Foundation Inc
Who Atwood Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Alaska Community Foundation ($212K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($12,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
406 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 348 grants of 406 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website describes the grant program as serving Anchorage residents and visitors. In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Alaska and 1% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 87 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Atwood Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 77 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $34K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $17K repeat.
- 78% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2020) to $2.4M (2021). In 2024 it made 87 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Community Foundation Girdwood, AK | Alaska center for excellence in journalism and Alaska press club | $210,000 |
| Anchorage Museum Association Anchorage, AK | Education programs, exhibit, north x north, seed lab and atwood archive center | $175,000 |
| Alaska Pacific University Anchorage, AK | Atwood Merit Scholarships | $150,000 |
| Anchorage Opera Anchorage, AK | 2024-25 Season Support | $125,000 |
| Anchorage Symphony Orchestra Anchorage, AK | Season Support | $120,000 |
| Anchorage Concert Association Girdwood, AK | Season Support | $100,000 |
| Alaska Junior Theater Anchorage, AK | Season Support | $70,000 |
| Cyrano's Theater Company Anchorage, AK | Operating Support for 2024 Season | $65,000 |
| Foraker Group Anchorage, AK | Capacity Building Services for Atwood Grantees | $60,000 |
| Northern Culture Exchange Anchorage, AK | Multiple Music Projects | $60,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $56,653,256 | $5,667,985 | $3,120,216 | $2,350,806 | 87 | $2,635,547 | $6,505,509 | $2,569,817 |
| 2023 | $50,822,342 | $3,840,802 | $2,918,018 | $2,373,906 | 96 | $2,567,573 | $4,485,480 | $2,356,903 |
| 2022 | $46,993,471 | $965,536 | $2,576,792 | $2,140,799 | 82 | $2,308,534 | $683,344 | $2,464,913 |
| 2021 | $56,847,487 | $7,483,051 | $3,182,612 | $2,431,485 | 85 | $2,596,850 | $6,013,730 | $2,603,287 |
| 2020 | $47,358,500 | $4,312,028 | $1,725,022 | $1,445,500 | 56 | — | $4,084,934 | $1,949,133 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Atwood Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to benefit and advance Anchorage, particularly its young people, by financially assisting nonprofit organizations’ projects and programs in the fine arts, journalism, history, and other civic enterprises. Its website says it awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations serving Anchorage residents and visitors. It also supports post-secondary journalism education at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and scholarships at Alaska Pacific University.
The 2024 grants illustrate support for journalism, education, and performing arts. The Alaska Community Foundation grant supported the Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism and Alaska Press Club. Alaska Pacific University received support for merit scholarships, and the University of Alaska Foundation received support for Elaine Atwood journalism scholarships. The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra describes its mission as supporting, producing, and promoting symphonic music in the Anchorage area; Anchorage Concert Association says it seeks to inspire and enhance the community through the performing arts. Alaska Junior Theater describes its mission as presenting live theater to young people in Anchorage and Alaska.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 87 grants totaling $2,350,806. Individual grants ranged from $1,500 to $210,000, with a median of $14,350. Among the largest were Alaska Community Foundation, $210,000; Anchorage Museum Association, $175,000; Alaska Pacific University, $150,000; Anchorage Opera, $125,000; Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, $120,000; and Anchorage Concert Association, $100,000. Other notable awards included $70,000 to Alaska Junior Theater, $60,000 each to Foraker Group and Northern Culture Exchange, and $50,000 each to Anchorage Downtown Partnership and the University of Alaska Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists David Tobin as chairman; Carolyn Heyman as vice chair; Spencer Shroyer as treasurer/secretary; and Maria Downey, Natasha von Imhof, Tim Thompson, Jeannette Lee Falsey, and Megan Olson as directors. It lists Ira Perman as executive director until July 2024 and Sara Perman as executive director. The foundation’s website announced Sara Perman as the new executive director, with a transition from retiring long-time executive director Ira Perman.
Atwood Foundation Inc is led by Ira Perman, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ira Perman
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
29 hrs/week
$98K (2020) → $135K (2024)
Sara Perman
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
29 hrs/week
$55K (2024)
David Tobin
Chairman
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeannette Lee Falsey
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Downey
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Olson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Natasha Von Imhof
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Thompson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Heyman
Vice Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Spencer Shroyer
Treasurer & Secretary
Director → Treasurer & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Edward Rasmuson (2020) — Chairman
- Former: Nancy Harbour (2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $135K, to Ira Perman (Executive Director Until July 2024). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Atwood Foundation Inc
How much does Atwood Foundation Inc give each year?
Atwood Foundation Inc gave $2.4M across 87 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.4M across 96 grants.
What is Atwood Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Atwood Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $14,350, and its average grant was $27,021, across 87 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Atwood Foundation Inc that year got $12K on average.
Where does Atwood Foundation Inc give grants?
Atwood Foundation Inc gives mostly in Alaska: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Anchorage, AK (70 grants), Girdwood, AK (7 grants), Sitka, AK (3 grants) and Anchorage, CA (2 grants).
Does Atwood Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Atwood Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 87) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Season Support" (6 grants) and "2024-2025 Season Support" (3 grants).
Who are Atwood Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Atwood Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Alaska Community Foundation ($211,500 across 2 grants), Anchorage Museum Association ($175,000) and Alaska Pacific University ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($12,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Atwood Foundation Inc?
Atwood Foundation Inc reported $56.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Atwood Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to benefit and advance Anchorage, particularly its young people, by financially assisting nonprofit organizations’ projects and programs in the fine arts, journalism, history, and other civic enterprises. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Atwood Foundation Inc?
The foundation’s website says applications must be submitted online. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Atwood Foundation Inc's EIN?
Atwood Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-6002571. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
Rasmuson Foundation
Anchorage, AK
Rasmuson Foundation funds Alaska nonprofits, tribes, and local governments across a broad range of community needs, from small purchases to major capital and strategic projects. Grants range from $50 to $1 million, with a 2024 median of $5,000; Tier 1 awards are up to $35,000, Community Support grants up to $250,000, and Legacy grants exceed $250,000. Tier 1 applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis; strategic grants are by invitation.
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The Alaska Community Foundation
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The Alaska Community Foundation supports Alaska nonprofits and other eligible applicants through grants for community needs, youth programs, skills development, and other charitable work, as well as scholarships. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,019 to $1,359,483, with a median of $10,750; its Vocational Fund grants $10,000–$50,000. Competitive grants generally require applicants to serve Alaska, and applications are accepted through specific grant opportunities, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
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Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation
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The Carr Foundation Inc
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Frances & David Rose Foundation
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Atwood Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/atwood-foundation-inc-morg_81521b3239294a789b8e26ed14d5db48
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_926002571_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Atwood Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/atwood-foundation-inc-morg_81521b3239294a789b8e26ed14d5db48},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Atwood Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Atwood Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?