Chugach Heritage Foundation (CHF) is an Anchorage, Alaska-based private foundation that supports education and cultural heritage programs for Chugach Native people. Its work includes scholarships and education support for eligible Alaska Native students, cultural programming, and efforts to preserve and promote the heritage of the Chugach region.
Key facts about Chugach Heritage Foundation
In short: Chugach Heritage Foundation gave $737K across 158 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Alaska. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 92-0116128
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $736,615
- Grants made (2025)
- 158
- Average grant
- $4,662
- Median grant
- $4,646
- Total assets
- $41,881,564
- Primary geography
- Alaska (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Scholarship, class, and camp applications are available online or in person. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Deadlines vary by term and scholarship type; the filing lists the last Fridays of August, December, March, May, and…
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$41.9M
+11.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$737K
-0.5% YoY
Grant Count
158
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-0.5% YoY
How Chugach Heritage Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+7%). Method
- In 2022 it paid out 72% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
CHF’s mission is to support the self-determination of Chugach Native people through education of original shareholders and descendants, and to utilize, preserve, and promote the tradition and cultural heritage of the Chugach region.
Its scholarship and education programs provide scholarships and other support to eligible Alaska Native students who are Chugach Alaska Corporation original shareholders or direct lineal descendants of shareholders. CHF also operates Nuuciq Spirit Camp at the historical village site of Nuchek, where students, elders, and instructors share and learn about Chugach regional arts, lifestyle, and language. Other cultural programs offer opportunities to learn traditional knowledge and skills, including history, crafts, dance, music, traditional boat construction, and regional languages and dialects.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, CHF reported 158 grants totaling $740,227. Awards ranged from $175 to $14,600, with a median of $3,808. The listed grants were scholarships to individuals; all grant dollars went to recipients in Alaska. Among the largest awards were $14,600 to Bradley Samakin, $14,116 to Cameron Moon, and $12,175 to Ailie Johnson, each for a scholarship.
Review Cycle
Deadlines vary by term and scholarship type; the filing lists the last Fridays of August, December, March, May, and June.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported grant dollars in filing year 2024 went to recipients in Alaska. CHF’s stated cultural and education work focuses on the Chugach region.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 158 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $683K (2021) to $823K (2023). In 2025 it made 158 grants totaling $737K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bradley Samakin ($17K). Together the top 10 received $103K.
Grant Size Distribution
768 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 767 grants of 768 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bradley Samakin Available Upon Request, AK | Scholarship | $17,100 |
| Tyler Horton Available Upon Request, AK | Scholarship | $12,100 |
| Madison Vu Available Upon Request, AK | Scholarship | $12,100 |
| Taylor Judah Available Upon Request, AK | Scholarship | $10,875 |
| Easton Snider Available Upon Request, AK | Scholarship | $9,375 |
| Payton Crampton Available Upon Request, AK | Scholarship | $8,765 |
| Sean McMullen Available Upon Request, AK | Scholarship | $8,625 |
| Allison Carl Available Upon Request, AK | Scholarship | $8,191 |
| Sydney Vu Available Upon Request, AK | Scholarship | $8,098 |
| Malina Marleau Available Upon Request, AK | Scholarship | $8,066 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $37,621,182 | $4,281,268 | $1,930,973 | $740,227 |
| 2023 | $35,377,096 | $1,720,305 | $2,052,859 | $822,844 |
| 2022 | $32,887,349 | $2,116,003 | $1,324,008 | $688,343 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $41,881,564 | $37,621,182 | $35,377,096 |
| Revenue | $1,908,550 | $4,281,268 | $1,720,305 |
| Expenses | $1,966,950 | $1,930,973 | $2,052,859 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,766,254 | $1,788,813 | $1,827,155 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,943,509 | $3,956,173 | $1,223,197 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sheri Buretta as president; Marchele Espe as vice president; Violet Yeaton as treasurer/secretary; Matt McDaniel as trustee; and Connie Hedrick and Lauren Johnson as president/executive director.
Chugach Heritage Foundation is led by Lauren Johnson, President & Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lauren Johnson
President & Executive Director
Executive Director → President & Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$102K (2020) → $149K (2025)
Sheri Buretta
President
Chairman → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Connie Hedrick
President & Executive Director
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marchele Espe
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Violet Yeaton
Treasurer & Secretary
Treasurer → Treasurer & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Matt McDaniel (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Stephen J. Grantier (2020–2022) — Program Manager
- Former: Michael McCanna (2020) — Chairman
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $149K, to Lauren Johnson (President/Executive Director).
Contact
Application contact: Program Manager
Mailing address: 3800 Centerpoint Drive 1200, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 563-8866
Website: https://chugachheritagefoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Chugach Heritage Foundation
How much does Chugach Heritage Foundation give each year?
Chugach Heritage Foundation gave $737K across 158 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $740K across 158 grants.
What is Chugach Heritage Foundation's typical grant size?
Chugach Heritage Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $4,646, and its average grant was $4,662, across 158 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Chugach Heritage Foundation give grants?
Chugach Heritage Foundation gives mostly in Alaska: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Available Upon Request, AK (158 grants).
Does Chugach Heritage Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 158 grants with a stated purpose on Chugach Heritage Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (158 grants).
Who are Chugach Heritage Foundation's largest grantees?
Chugach Heritage Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Bradley Samakin ($17,100), Tyler Horton ($12,100) and Madison Vu ($12,100), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 6% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Chugach Heritage Foundation?
Chugach Heritage Foundation reported $41.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $1.9M.
What does Chugach Heritage Foundation fund?
CHF’s mission is to support the self-determination of Chugach Native people through education of original shareholders and descendants, and to utilize, preserve, and promote the tradition and cultural heritage of the Chugach region. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chugach Heritage Foundation?
Scholarship, class, and camp applications are available online or in person. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Chugach Heritage Foundation's EIN?
Chugach Heritage Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-0116128. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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