The Bristol Bay Foundation is a corporate foundation of the Bristol Bay Native Corporation based in Anchorage, Alaska. Established in 1995, the foundation is dedicated to supporting education and preserving the cultural heritage of the Bristol Bay region and its indigenous peoples. The organization operates with a staff of 8 employees and serves Alaska Native shareholders and descendants of Bristol Bay Native Corporation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$40.8M
+15.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$988K
+10.1% YoY
Grant Count
290
+4.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
+5.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To provide support for 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.
Vision: Cikiqucaaraq (sharing culture, experiences, food, knowledge, subsistence, philanthropy, caring)
Core Values:
- Liicugtua/Elicugtua/Duhdeldih Yineszen (I want to learn)
- Quyurrluteng (coming together, family, supportive, giving, taking care of each other, community)
- Yaghelich' (the "right way")
- Piniq' (strength, resilience, empowering our people)
Program Areas:
The foundation operates across two primary focus areas:
Educational Scholarships & Support
- Higher Education/Vocational Education (HE/VE) Scholarships for high school seniors
- H. Noble Dick Scholarship (up to $1,000 for college juniors/seniors majoring in accounting or business management)
- Wells Fargo - BBNC Scholarship
- Career-Focused Vocational Education (CFVE) Scholarship Program
- Emergency aid for students experiencing hardship
Cultural Heritage & Preservation
- Community culture camps
- Teacher training in cultural competency
- Educational pathways for high school students and paraprofessionals interested in teaching careers
- Support for revitalization and education of Bristol Bay region's unique cultural heritage
Grantmaking
Ready to take the next step with Bristol Bay Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds educational opportunities and cultural programs in:
- Bristol Bay region, Alaska
- Throughout Alaska
- The Lower 48 states
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $40,794,034
- Total Revenues: $6,317,713
- Total Expenses: $4,857,195
- Total Giving: $955,088
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $35,381,792
- Total Revenues: $5,003,475
- Total Expenses: $3,474,399
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $40,794,034 | $35,381,792 | $29,810,952 |
| Revenue | $6,317,713 | $5,003,475 | $2,557,051 |
| Expenses | $4,857,195 | $3,474,399 | $2,303,388 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,078,015 | $2,000,016 | $2,177,806 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,310,450 | $976,421 | $795,068 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | $1,509,525 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
152 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Bristol Bay Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lake and Peninsula School District ($16,000), Bryant Shanigan ($15,000), Smithsonian Institution ($14,766).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA ANCHORAGE, AK | PROMOTE, PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF BRISTOL BAY | $8,000 |
| BRISTOL BAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NAKNEK, AK | PROMOTE, PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF BRISTOL BAY | $500 |
| BRISTOL BAY HERITAGE LAND TRUST DILLINGHAM, AK | PROMOTE, PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF BRISTOL BAY | $7,810 |
| BRISTOL BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY NAKNEK, AK | PROMOTE, PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF BRISTOL BAY | $8,500 |
| CHIGNIK LAGOON VILLAGE COUNCIL CHIGNIK LAGOON, AK | PROMOTE, PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF BRISTOL BAY | $5,400 |
| CLARKS POINT VILLAGE COUNCIL CLARKS POINT, AK | PROMOTE, PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF BRISTOL BAY | $7,960 |
| LAKE AND PENINSULA SCHOOL DISTRICT KING SALMON, AK | PROMOTE, PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF BRISTOL BAY | $16,000 |
| NUSHAGAK CLASSIC WESTERN ALASKA CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SLED ASSOCIATION DILLINGHAM, AK | GENERAL OPERATING | $7,627 |
| PHILANTHROPY NORTHWEST SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM CHYTHLOOK | CHAIR | 2.5 | — |
| DANIEL CHEYETTE | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| ANGRIA AGLI | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| PATRICK E PATTERSON III | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| CAMERON POINDEXTER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PAUL MCDONOGH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JAYME SELANOFF | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TERRENCE SHANIGAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JASON METROKIN | DIRECTOR, JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 2024 | 2 | — |
| HAZEL NELSON | DIRECTOR, JANUARY TO OCTOBER 2024 | 2 | — |
| WASSILIISIA BENNIS | DIRECTOR, OCTOBER 2024 TO PRESENT | 2 | — |
| ALEESHA TOWNS-BAIN | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $225,867 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation celebrated 30 years of supporting students in their educational goals in 2022. Each year, the Bristol Bay Foundation supports more than 250 students to pursue their educational and vocational training goals.
2024 Fall Bristol Bay Foundation News**Alumni Giving Circle:** The foundation launched the 2026 Alumni Giving Circle (March 1-31, 2026), inviting scholarship recipients from the 1990s onward to contribute at a level of $250 or more. This initiative aims to expand scholarships and cultural programs for future generations.
Graduates supported by the foundation work in a wide range of careers serving the Bristol Bay region.
2024 Fall Bristol Bay Foundation NewsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bristol Bay Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To provide support for 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. **Vision:** Cikiqucaaraq (sharing culture, experiences, food, knowledge, subsistence, philanthropy, caring) **Core Values:** • Liicugtua/Elicugtua/Duhdeldih Yineszen (I want to learn) • Quyurrluteng (coming together, family, supportive, giving, takin…
How do I apply for a grant from Bristol Bay Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • In 2023, the foundation issued scholarships to 273 students • In 2022, the foundation awarded 213 individual student scholarships • Emergency aid was provided to 27 students in 2023 • Typical award amounts range from $200 to $905,231 **Active Opportunities:** • Bristol Bay Foundation: Higher Education Scholarship Program • Career-Focused Vocational Education (CFVE) Scholarship Program **Eligibility:** Applicants must be Alaska Native shareholders of Bristol Bay Native Corp…
Where does Bristol Bay Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds educational opportunities and cultural programs in: • Bristol Bay region, Alaska • Throughout Alaska • The Lower 48 states
What size grants does Bristol Bay Foundation award?
In 2024, Bristol Bay Foundation awarded 290 grants totaling $988K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bristol Bay Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Mat-Su Crime Stoppers Inc
PALMER, AK
Assets
$123K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Valley Hospital Association Inc
WASILLA, AK
Assets
$435.1M
Grants
127
Total Given
$21.5M
United Way of Anchorage
ANCHORAGE, AK
Assets
$12.0M
Grants
21
Total Given
$915K
Edna P Mccurdy Scholarship Foundation
UNALASKA, AK
Assets
$223K
Grants
17
Total Given
$145K
Thomas and Cindy Massie Foundation
ANCHORAGE, AK
Assets
$23.2M
Grants
17
Total Given
$906K
Nea Alaska Inc
JUNEAU, AK
Assets
$21.2M
Grants
6
Total Given
$83K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Bristol Bay Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Bristol Bay Foundation to a real strategy.