Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation
Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation is a public charity based in Palmer, Alaska. It supports projects that develop and improve trails, parks, and recreation sites in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation at a glance
In short: Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation gave $708K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $59K), mostly in Alaska. 8% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $707,577
- +88.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $58,965
- +25.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $40,989
- Total assets
- $1,497,438
- -13.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Alaska (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website directs applicants to apply through its grants process and says applications are considered competitively each quarter as funding allows. Its published guidelines describe a grant application and supporting project information, including a project description, budget, location information where needed, and relevant permits or landowner authorizations. The guidelines say permits must be submitted before an award is made.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 652, Palmer, AK 99645
Phone: (907) 746-8757
Website: https://matsutrails.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Alaska Trails ($169K). Together the top 10 received $686K.
Grant Size Distribution
53 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 39 grants of 53 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 filing describes its program as supporting an integrated network of trails and parks throughout the 25,258-square-mile Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Southcentral Alaska. All 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Alaska.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 12 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $50K; repeat grants $60K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $38K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $242K (2021) to $708K (2025). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $708K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Trails Anchorage, AK | Talkeetna Mountains Planning Project; Pioneer Peak Trail Phase 2; Denali State Park Trail Improvements; Conference and Events Sponsorships | $168,815 |
| Mat-Su Borough Palmer, AK | Jonesville Public Use Area Phase 1; Government Peak Recreation Area Signage; ME Segelhorst Trail Improvements; Matanuska Greenbelt Trail Improvements | $133,497 |
| Hatcher Alpine Xperience Palmer, AK | Snow Groomer Purchase | $95,500 |
| Student Conservation Association Anchorage, AK | Summer 2025 MSB Corps Team | $62,332 |
| City of Houston Houston, AK | Parks and Playground Master Plan | $50,000 |
| Willow Area Community Organization Willow, AK | Summer Trail Maintenance Equipment; Winter Grooming Equipment | $44,478 |
| City of Wasilla Wasilla, AK | Lake Lucille Trail Improvements | $37,500 |
| Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center Palmer, AK | Avalanche Awareness Signage; Snowmachine purchase for motorized avalanche forecasting | $34,291 |
| Mat-Su Ski Club Palmer, AK | GPRA Planning and Trailhead Revitalization; event sponsorship | $34,200 |
| Meadow Lakes Community Development Wasilla, AK | Community Bike Park; event sponsorship | $25,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,497,438 | $1,633,984 | $1,713,819 | $707,577 | 12 | $49,371 |
| 2024 | $1,729,436 | $1,435,090 | $1,388,891 | $375,846 | 8 | $26,694 |
| 2023 | $2,025,900 | $1,114,025 | $1,248,668 | $468,743 | 12 | $34,717 |
| 2022 | $2,170,327 | $728,619 | $645,058 | $396,899 | 12 | $4,742 |
| 2021 | $839,556 | $1,144,110 | $1,225,625 | $241,824 | 9 | $7,497 |
| 2020 | $910,001 | $897,707 | $588,074 | $289,659 | 11 | $23,445 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “To promote trails and parks in the Matanuska Susitna Borough.” Its website describes its mission as being the trails and parks resource for a healthy community in Mat-Su.
The foundation considers funding for new trails and parks; physical improvements to trails, trailheads, parks, and recreation sites; amenities, equipment, and signage; and planning and surveying. Its stated priorities include connecting trails and parks, building partnerships, promoting equitable and accessible outdoor recreation for different users and abilities, and supporting stewardship and maintenance of public spaces.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, Alaska Native nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribes, government entities or community councils, religious organizations, and service organizations. Applicants must be legal entities with an EIN and provide services or benefits to Mat-Su area residents. The foundation’s website excludes individuals, for-profit organizations, private foundations, and certain organizations engaged in political activity or discrimination.
Among the 2025 grantees, Alaska Trails describes its mission as building partnerships and trails and strengthening trail organizations’ capacity. Hatcher Alpine Xperience says it develops and maintains a regional ski area in Hatcher Pass, with an emphasis on skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and downhill biking. Mat-Su Ski Club says it provides Nordic skiing opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages and skill levels.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave 12 grants totaling $707,577. Grants ranged from $10,234 to $168,815, with a median of $40,989. The largest grants included $168,815 to Alaska Trails for trail planning and improvements and sponsorships; $133,497 to the Mat-Su Borough for public-use, recreation-area, and trail improvements; and $95,500 to Hatcher Alpine Xperience for a snow groomer purchase. Other grants included $62,332 to the Student Conservation Association for a summer Mat-Su Borough Corps team and $50,000 to the City of Houston for a parks and playground master plan.
The foundation’s website says it considers applications competitively each quarter, as funding allows. It identifies legal-entity status, an EIN, and benefits to Mat-Su area residents as eligibility requirements. Its stated exclusions include private trails or parks, projects on private property without a legal easement, loans, endowments, fundraising events, reimbursement for completed or already-purchased items, and ongoing operations or program funding. Published grant guidelines describe matching requirements: no match is required for requests of $20,000 or less, though match is encouraged; requests from $20,001 to $50,000 require a 3:1 match; and requests from $50,001 to $100,000 require a 2:1 match. The guidelines also limit the in-kind portion of the match. The foundation’s 2024 filing says grantees must submit interim and final reports describing project progress and outcomes and detailing grant expenditures.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Taylor Raftery as Executive Director; George Hoden as Board President; Susan Lemons as Board Vice-President; Lorraine Cordova as Treasurer; and Brian Ekiss as Secretary. It also lists Bob Charles, Talis Colberg, Josh Leutzinger, Ryan Maroney, and Tom Quimby as directors.
Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation is led by Taylor Raftery, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Taylor Raftery
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$75K (2024) → $86K (2025)
George Hoden
Board President
Board Vice P → Board President, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bob Charles
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Winnestaffer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josh Leutzinger
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Maroney
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Troy Shelden
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Talis Colberg
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Quimby
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lorraine Cordova
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Ekiss
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Lemons
Board Vice President
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Kathryn Swartz (2020–2024) — Board Vice President
- Former: Susie Lemons (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Ryan Mollnow (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Chelsea Hedrick (2023–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Paul Clark (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sam Adams (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Cara Durr (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Randall Kowalke (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Deidre Berberich (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Dot Helm (2020) — Director
- Former: Steve Charles (2020) — Director
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 $86K, to Taylor Raftery (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation
How much does Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation give each year?
Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation gave $708K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $376K across 8 grants.
What is Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation's typical grant size?
Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $40,989, and its average grant was $58,965, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation that year got $50K on average.
Where does Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation give grants?
Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation gives mostly in Alaska: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Palmer, AK (5 grants), Wasilla, AK (3 grants) and Anchorage, AK (2 grants).
Does Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation's largest grantees?
Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Alaska Trails ($168,815), Mat-Su Borough ($133,497) and Hatcher Alpine Xperience ($95,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation?
Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.6M.
What does Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “To promote trails and parks in the Matanuska Susitna Borough.” Its website describes its mission as being the trails and parks resource for a healthy community in Mat-Su. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation?
The foundation’s website directs applicants to apply through its grants process and says applications are considered competitively each quarter as funding allows. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation's EIN?
Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 90-0699180. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation funds
Recreation & Sports Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mat-su-trails-and-parks-foundation-morg_17006c2db1d54dbabde82842403f78e2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_900699180_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mat-Su Trails \& Parks Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mat-su-trails-and-parks-foundation-morg_17006c2db1d54dbabde82842403f78e2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Mat-Su Trails & Parks 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.
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