Kawerak Inc
Kawerak Inc. is a nonprofit tribal consortium based in Nome, Alaska, representing 20 federally recognized tribes in the Bering Strait Region. The organization provides over 40 different programs serving the Inupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yupik, and Yup'ik people across 16 communities in western Alaska. Founded in 1974, Kawerak operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity with tax-exempt status since November 1977.
Key facts about Kawerak Inc
- EIN
- 92-0047009
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $17,727,823
- Grants made (2024)
- 29
- Average grant
- $611,304
- Median grant
- $195,226
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (13 of 29, 2024)
- Total assets
- $96,964,582
- Primary geography
- Alaska (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Kawerak Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Kawerak Inc's 29 itemized 2024 grants were Alaska (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Nome, AK (6 grants), Anchorage, AK (5 grants), Teller, AK (2 grants) and Unalakleet, AK (2 grants). None of its 29 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Federal Pass Through" (24 grants) and "Assistance" (5 grants).
Is Kawerak Inc open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 29 grantees (45%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $365K; repeat grants $812K. How we count
Medians: $39K first-time, $275K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$97.0M
+0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$17.7M
+335.9% YoY
Grant Count
29
+31.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$611K
+230.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: "Advancing the capacity of our People and Tribes for the benefit of the region."
Kawerak's work is guided by collaboration with all 20 tribes, the regional medical center, and Elder wisdom. The organization operates through multiple divisions addressing distinct service areas:
Community Services Division: Provides public safety and wellness services, programs to improve economic development, financial management, and infrastructure. Includes services addressing the needs of children and families throughout the Bering Strait Region, as well as comprehensive transportation services.
Natural Resources Division: Conducts research projects and advocates for tribes' continued subsistence uses in federal and state resource management decision-making. Encourages integration of traditional knowledge regarding natural resources, ecosystem, land, fish, animals, and birds.
Education and Employment Supportive Services Division: Designed to increase the number of trained, educated, and employed tribal members and provide early childhood services to address the needs of children and families.
Primary funding focus areas include Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, Human Services, and Health Care.
Grantmaking
Kawerak distributes grants with typical award ranges of $450 to $4,968,481. As of the most recent filing, the organization reported total giving of $21,033,658.
Ready to take the next step with Kawerak Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Kawerak primarily funds programs and services in Alaska, specifically serving 16 communities in the Bering Strait Region of western Alaska. The organization also has documented activity in the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 29 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $96,501,696
- Total Revenue: $56,234,294
- Total Expenses: $56,884,891
- Total Liabilities: $46,300,000 (approximately)
- Total Giving: $21,033,658
Workforce: 380 employees (as of 2023)
The organization maintains a Four-Star rating with a 94% overall score based on Accountability & Finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $96,964,582 | $96,501,696 | $98,128,143 |
| Revenue | $86,867,929 | $56,234,294 | $68,440,519 |
| Expenses | $86,167,052 | $56,884,891 | $54,418,416 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,347,643 | $1,640,037 | $252,396 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
114 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Stebbins Community Association ($4,968,481), Native Village of Koyuk ($3,034,356), Native Village of St Michael ($2,049,106).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| STEBBINS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Stebbins, AK | FEDERAL PASS THROUGH | $4,968,481 |
| NATIVE VILLAGE OF KOYUK Koyuk, AK | FEDERAL PASS THROUGH | $3,034,356 |
| NATIVE VILLAGE OF ST MICHAEL St Michael, AK | FEDERAL PASS THROUGH | $2,049,106 |
| ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE CENTER INC Anchorage, AK | FEDERAL PASS THROUGH | $1,347,900 |
| NATIVE VILLAGE OF BREVIG MISSION Breving Mission, AK | FEDERAL PASS THROUGH | $980,836 |
| KING ISLAND NATIVE COMMUNITY Nome, AK | FEDERAL PASS THROUGH | $835,165 |
| NATIVE VILLAGE OF WHITE MOUNTAIN White Mountain, AK | FEDERAL PASS THROUGH | $591,979 |
| NATIVE VILLAGE OF SHAKTOOLIK Shaktoolik, AK | FEDERAL PASS THROUGH | $578,979 |
| QUINTILLION SUBSEA OPERATIONS LLC Anchorage, AK | FEDERAL PASS THROUGH | $496,776 |
| NATIVE VILLAGE WALES Wales, AK | FEDERAL PASS THROUGH | $446,868 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key executives include:
- Melanie Bahnke (Principal Officer)
- Debbie Peacock (Chief Financial Officer)
- Cheri McConnell (Senior Vice President Infrastructure)
- Tiffany Martinson (Vice President Human Resources)
- Pamela Cushman (Community Education Department Director)
- Kendra Nichols (Tribal Housing Director)
- Eva Dickson (Land Management Services Program Director)
- Mathew Michels (Facilities Maintenance Director)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melanie Bahnke | President | 37.5 | $603,415 |
| John Bioff | General Counsel | 40 | $362,704 |
| Donna Ray | CFO | 37.8 | $347,695 |
| Mary David | Executive VP | 30 | $263,174 |
| William Gemar | Controller | 43 | $223,037 |
| Deborah Trowbridge | Headstart Director | 40 | $219,398 |
| Julie Raymond-Yakoubian | Social Science PD | 43.6 | $211,791 |
| Debbie Peacock | CFO | 38.5 | $193,643 |
| Frank Katchatag | Chairman | 13.4 | $96,300 |
| Anna M Oxereok | 2ND Vice Chair | 8.5 | $43,860 |
| Barbara J Gray | Treasurer | 7.5 | $38,700 |
| Jill B Campbell | Sergeant-At-Arms | 6.3 | $32,250 |
| Benjamin Payenna | Director | 4.8 | $24,510 |
| Ben Pungowiyi | Director | 4.7 | $24,115 |
| Robert Keith | 1ST Vice Chair | 4.5 | $23,220 |
| Merlin Koonooka | Director | 3.3 | $16,770 |
| Charlie Fitka Jr | Director | 3.3 | $16,770 |
| Lucy H Oquilluk | Director | 2.8 | $14,190 |
| Gilbert Tocktoo | Director | 2.1 | $10,820 |
| Matilda Hardy | Director | 2 | $10,320 |
| Shawn Bergamaschi | Director | 2 | $10,320 |
| Samantha Ozenna | Director | 2 | $10,320 |
| Theresa Kobuk | Director | 2 | $10,195 |
| Agatha Foxie | Director | 1.9 | $9,675 |
| Jerry Okbaok | Director | 1.9 | $9,675 |
| Stella Havatone | Director | 1.9 | $9,675 |
| Irene Navarro | Director | 1.8 | $9,030 |
| Richard Nassuk Sr | Director | 1.4 | $7,095 |
| Anthony Haugen | Director | 0.9 | $4,515 |
| Preston Rookok | Director | 0.8 | $3,870 |
| Dawn Warnke | Director | 0.8 | $3,870 |
| Lola Hannon | Director | 0.6 | $3,225 |
| Jacob Martin | Director | 0.6 | $3,225 |
| Allison Johnson | Director | 0.5 | $2,580 |
| Bernice Brown | Director | 0.5 | $2,580 |
| Kirsten Timbers | Secretary | 0.4 | $1,935 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Kawerak earned a three-year grant for the Backhaul Alaska Program (2021)
Kawerak Earns Three Year Grant For Backhaul Alaska Program - KNOM Radio MissionThe organization secured its first federal grant for the Caleb Scholars program, with plans for an Annual Gathering in Utqiaġvik (2024)
Kawerak's Caleb Scholars program sets sights on Annual Gathering in Utqia\u0121\Kawerak announced plans to open a recycling facility in Nome to address a longstanding community need (2024)
Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership \u2013 KawerakThe organization participates in the Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership
Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership \u2013 KawerakKawerak administers higher education scholarships and supportive services
Higher Education - Kawerak, Inc.Frequently Asked Questions
What does Kawerak Inc fund?
**Mission:** "Advancing the capacity of our People and Tribes for the benefit of the region." Kawerak's work is guided by collaboration with all 20 tribes, the regional medical center, and Elder wisdom. The organization operates through multiple divisions addressing distinct service areas: • **Community Services Division:** Provides public safety and wellness services, programs to improve economic development, financial management, and infrastructure. Includes services addressing the needs of c…
How do I apply for a grant from Kawerak Inc?
Kawerak distributes grants with typical award ranges of $450 to $4,968,481. As of the most recent filing, the organization reported total giving of $21,033,658.
Where does Kawerak Inc make grants?
Kawerak primarily funds programs and services in Alaska, specifically serving 16 communities in the Bering Strait Region of western Alaska. The organization also has documented activity in the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Kawerak Inc award?
In 2024, Kawerak Inc awarded 29 grants totaling $17.7M — an average of about $611K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Kawerak Inc's EIN?
Kawerak Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-0047009. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.