Bristol Bay Foundation
Bristol Bay Foundation is an Anchorage-based private foundation that supports educational opportunities for Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC) shareholders and their descendants and works to preserve the Bristol Bay region’s cultural heritage. The foundation says it was founded in 1992 and describes its purpose as connecting to the past and investing in the future.
Bristol Bay Foundation at a glance
In short: Bristol Bay Foundation gave $988K across 290 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Alaska. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $987,800
- +10.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 290
- +4.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,406
- +5.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $40,794,034
- +15.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Alaska (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Bristol Bay Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests; eligible entities can submit a proposal through its online grant application process. The 2024 filing states that application materials are available on the foundation’s website and gives a rolling deadline.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Next open deadline
- October 16, 2026 (Bristol Bay Foundation Career-Focused Vocational Education (CFVE) Scholarship)
- Contact
Application contact: Aleesha Towns-Bain
Mailing address: 111 W 16Th Ave Ste 400, Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 265-7875
Website: https://bristolbayfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Bristol Bay Foundation
Bristol Bay Foundation Career-Focused Vocational Education (CFVE) Scholarship
Bristol Bay Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
October 16, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Bristol Bay Foundation Higher Education Scholarship
Bristol Bay Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Expected ~October
Based on past cycles
Bristol Bay Foundation Native Place Names Grant Program
Bristol Bay Foundation
Amount
Awards ≤$8,000 reviewed internally; >$8,000 reviewed quarterly by the Board
Deadline
Rolling
Who Bristol Bay Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lake and Peninsula School District ($16K). Together the top 10 received $92K.
Organizations only. It also paid 277 individual scholarships ($885,269), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
809 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 807 grants of 809 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Alaska (76%), followed by Washington (9%), Oregon (3%), Georgia (2%), and California (2%). Its filing states that organizations applying for grants must be located in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska or demonstrate benefit to Bristol Bay shareholders.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 290 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Bristol Bay Foundation gives
- Giving grew 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2022 it paid out 144% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $786K (2021) to $988K (2024). In 2024 it made 290 grants totaling $988K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lake and Peninsula School District King Salmon, AK | Promote, preserve and strengthen the cultural heritage of bristol bay | $16,000 |
| 40 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $311,675 |
| Smithsonian Institution Washington, AK | General Operating | $14,766 |
| Bristol Bay Historical Society Naknek, AK | Promote, preserve and strengthen the cultural heritage of bristol bay | $8,500 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska Anchorage, AK | Promote, preserve and strengthen the cultural heritage of bristol bay | $8,000 |
| The Evergreen State College Foundation Olympia, WA | General Operating | $8,000 |
| Southwest Alaska Vocational & Educational Center King Salmon, AK | General Operating | $7,968 |
| Clarks Point Village Council Clarks Point, AK | Promote, preserve and strengthen the cultural heritage of bristol bay | $7,960 |
| Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust Dillingham, AK | Promote, preserve and strengthen the cultural heritage of bristol bay | $7,810 |
| Nushagak Classic Western Alaska Championship Dog Sled Association Dillingham, AK | General Operating | $7,627 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing lists 290 grants in 2024 and 277 in 2023.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $40,794,034 | $6,317,713 | $4,857,195 | $987,800 | 290 | $2,078,015 | $1,310,450 | — |
| 2023 | $35,381,792 | $5,003,475 | $3,474,399 | $897,127 | 277 | $2,000,016 | $976,421 | — |
| 2022 | $29,810,952 | $2,557,051 | $2,303,388 | $905,231 | 1 | $2,177,806 | $795,068 | $1,509,525 |
| 2021 | $34,167,034 | $3,535,334 | $1,868,018 | $785,709 | 1 | $1,667,354 | $2,063,835 | $1,587,665 |
| 2020 | $30,554,925 | $2,044,102 | $1,685,653 | $792,855 | 240 | — | $794,462 | $1,352,832 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support and encourage BBNC shareholders and descendants to pursue educational opportunities, and to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the Bristol Bay region, its Indigenous people, and subsistence way of life. Its website identifies education and culture as areas where it seeks impact.
Its cultural grant programs are the Piniq’ Grant Program and the Native Place Names Grant Program. The Piniq’ program supports cultural heritage projects that connect the past to the present in the Bristol Bay region. Scholarship programs support higher education and career-focused vocational training for BBNC shareholders and direct lineal descendants.
The foundation’s 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. Bristol Bay Historical Society Inc. describes its work as collecting, preserving, researching, and sharing educational experiences of Bristol Bay Indigenous cultural lifeways and maritime heritage. Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust describes its work as conservation, conservation education, habitat preservation in Bristol Bay watersheds, and scientific research. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska describes programs for children focused on recreation, enrichment, prevention, mentoring, academic success, character, leadership, and healthy lifestyles. The Evergreen State College Foundation describes its work as securing philanthropic funds to support students and the college’s public service.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 290 grants totaling $987,800. Grant amounts ranged from $200 to $16,000, with a median of $2,500. The foundation’s largest reported grant was $16,000 to Lake and Peninsula School District in King Salmon, Alaska, for promoting, preserving, and strengthening Bristol Bay cultural heritage. Other large grants included $14,766 to the Smithsonian Institution for general operating support and $8,500 to Bristol Bay Historical Society Inc. for cultural heritage work. The filing also lists multiple individual recipients receiving scholarships for vocational or higher education.
The foundation’s website says Piniq’ and Native Place Names grant proposals are submitted online. Awards of $8,000 or less can be reviewed internally and typically take about one month; awards of $8,001 or more are reviewed by the board at quarterly meetings. The foundation encourages eligible entities to submit proposals. The 2024 filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and states that organizations must be located in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska or demonstrate benefit to Bristol Bay shareholders. Application materials are available on the foundation’s website.
The foundation also operates scholarships for BBNC shareholders and direct lineal descendants. Its Higher Education Scholarship supports four-year or advanced-degree study, while its Career-Focused Vocational Education Scholarship supports career-focused training. The next listed deadlines are October 16, 2026, for Spring 2027 higher-education funding and the third-quarter vocational scholarship application.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing were William Chythlook, chair; Daniel Cheyette, vice president; Angria Agli, secretary; and Patrick E Patterson III, treasurer. Directors listed were Cameron Poindexter, Paul McDonogh, Jayme Selanoff, and Terrence Shanigan. Jason Metrokin was listed as a director from January to February 2024, and Hazel Nelson from January to October 2024.
Bristol Bay Foundation is led by Aleesha Towns-Bain, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 12 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Aleesha Towns-Bain
President & CEO
Executive Director → Education Foundation Director, 2023
Education Foundation Director → President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$214K (2020) → $226K (2024)
William Chythlook
Chair
Director → President, 2023
President → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Metrokin
Director & January to February
Director → Director & January to February, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jayme Selanoff
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terrence Shanigan
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cameron Poindexter
Director
Director & October to Present → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hazel Nelson
Director & January to October
Director & October to Present → Director & January to October, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul McDonogh
Director
Director & October to Present → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wassiliisia Bennis
Director & October to Present
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angria Agli
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Cheyette
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick E. Patterson III
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Michelle Ravenmoon (2020–2023) — Director & January to October
- Former: Marie Paul (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Rayn Aaberg (2020) — Director
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 $226K, to Aleesha Towns-Bain (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Bristol Bay Foundation
How much does Bristol Bay Foundation give each year?
Bristol Bay Foundation gave $988K across 290 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $897K across 277 grants.
What is Bristol Bay Foundation's typical grant size?
Bristol Bay Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $3,406, across 290 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Bristol Bay Foundation give grants?
Bristol Bay Foundation gives mostly in Alaska: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Washington (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were King Salmon, AK (2 grants), Dillingham, AK (2 grants) and Naknek, AK (2 grants).
Does Bristol Bay Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Bristol Bay Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 290) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship for Higher Education" (233 grants), "Scholarship - Emergency Funds" (28 grants) and "Scholarship for Vocational Education" (12 grants).
Who are Bristol Bay Foundation's largest grantees?
Bristol Bay Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Lake and Peninsula School District ($16,000), Smithsonian Institution ($14,766) and Bristol Bay Historical Society ($8,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 277 individual scholarships ($885,269), which are not listed by name. Together they received 4% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Bristol Bay Foundation?
Bristol Bay Foundation reported $40.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $6.3M.
What does Bristol Bay Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support and encourage BBNC shareholders and descendants to pursue educational opportunities, and to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the Bristol Bay region, its Indigenous people, and subsistence way of life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bristol Bay Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests; eligible entities can submit a proposal through its online grant application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bristol Bay Foundation's EIN?
Bristol Bay Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-0141709. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Bristol Bay Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bristol Bay Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bristol-bay-foundation-morg_59746fb76c0e445db0411d38c1e14948
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_920141709_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bristol Bay Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bristol-bay-foundation-morg_59746fb76c0e445db0411d38c1e14948},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Bristol Bay Foundation'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.
Bristol Bay Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?