Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation
The Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2007 and based in Anchorage, Alaska. The foundation was created by Richard Leonard Block (1937-2021) and Diane Melvina Lazzarino Block (1935-2018), who relocated to Alaska from California in 1975. Richard co-founded Alaska National Insurance Company in 1980, which expanded into a multi-state enterprise. The foundation combines the founders' commitment to Christian Science with their dedication to supporting the arts and addressing community needs in Alaska.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$35.4M
+5.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
-12.7% YoY
Grant Count
75
+15.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
-24.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To support The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts, and to support those resources in Alaska which can most effectively enhance the quality of life of Alaska's people; the young who will lead and power the state's future, the cultural organizations that inspire the community intellectually and artistically and the social service organizations that lift up the poor so they may permanently and independently share in Alaska's bounty.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Youth Development: Supporting young people who will lead and power Alaska's future
- Social Services: Organizations that address root causes of social challenges and lift up the poor toward permanent, independent self-sufficiency
- Arts and Culture: Organizations that inspire the community intellectually and artistically
- Religious Support: The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts
The foundation emphasizes a philosophy of addressing underlying causes of social challenges rather than providing temporary relief. For social service agencies, the foundation requires demonstration that they will address the causes of the needs they serve and make efforts to fix underlying problems.
Grantmaking
Online application system available through the foundation's website.
Grant Range
s:**
Review Cycle
have been announced in spring and fall.
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Alaska, with a secondary focus on California and Massachusetts. The vast majority of grantmaking (99%) supports organizations in Alaska, Massachusetts, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $35.4 million (2024)
- $33.4 million (2023)
- Growth from $6.4 million in 2011
Annual Giving:
- $3.8 million in total revenues (2024)
- $1.78 million in annual giving (2023)
- $1.36 million in total giving (2024)
Expenses:
- $1.89 million (2024)
- $1.95 million (2023)
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since October 2007; EIN 30-6136901
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $35,371,432 | $33,427,001 | $34,182,728 |
| Revenue | $3,838,216 | $1,195,519 | $1,419,519 |
| Expenses | $1,891,630 | $1,953,401 | $2,151,545 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,061,235 | $1,780,573 | $1,943,223 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,659,142 | $1,037,708 | $1,234,152 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,778,475 | $1,694,820 | $1,779,940 |
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
240 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Covenant House Alaska ($300,000), First Church of Christ Scientist ($167,000), American Red Cross - Anchorage Alaska Chapter ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AIDING WOMEN FROM ABUSE AND RAPE EMERGENCIES INC JUNEAU, AK | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| ALASKA ADOPTION SERVICES EAGLE RIVER, AK | Community Diaper Pantry | $5,000 |
| ALASKA ARTS EDUCATION CONSORTIUM INC FAIRBANKS, AK | General Operating Support directed at Rural Arts Initiative | $10,000 |
| ALASKA ASSOCIATION FOR CHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSING I ANCHORAGE, AK | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| ALASKA CHAMBER SINGERS ANCHORAGE, AK | General Operating Support | $5,000 |
| ALASKA CHILDRENS TRUST ANCHORAGE, AK | Pathways to Hope - An Indigenous Approach to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse | $25,000 |
| ALASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANCHORAGE, AK | Housing Alaskans Public Private Partnership fund | $250 |
| ALASKA HUMANITIES FORUM ANCHORAGE, AK | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY ANCHORAGE, AK | Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation scholarship fund | $10,002 |
| ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY ANCHORAGE, AK | Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation scholarship fund | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jennifer D. Green - Executive Director (daughter of the founders)
Contact Information:
- Email: jennifer@akblockfoundation.com
- General Inquiries: office@akblockfoundation.com
- Office Location: 821 N. Street #207, Anchorage, AK 99501
- Phone: 907-868-2977
Administrative Support: Foundation Source provides administrative support (c/o Benjamin Berge, 55 Walls Drive, Suite 302, Fairfield, CT 06824)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deborah Bellange | Trustee, Treas, Chair | 1 | $2,000 |
| Patrick Block | Trustee | 1 | $2,000 |
| Jennifer D Green | Trustee, Sec | 30 | $87,000 |
| Juliette Green | Trustee | 1 | $2,000 |
| Edward McCarty | Trustee | 1 | $2,000 |
| Mead Treadwell | Trustee | 1 | $2,000 |
| Amanda Weitman | Trustee, VP | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**November 2025:** West High Exceptional Teacher Awards announced
2023-24 West High Exceptional Teacher Awards Announced**October 2025:** Supporting Public Media Through Voices Across Alaska Fund initiative
**2024:** Spring and Fall grant cycles completed with grantees announced
2024 Spring Grantees Announced**2024:** West High Exceptional Teacher Awards program active
2023-24 West High Exceptional Teacher Awards AnnouncedSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** To support The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts, and to support those resources in Alaska which can most effectively enhance the quality of life of Alaska's people; the young who will lead and power the state's future, the cultural organizations that inspire the community intellectually and artistically and the social service organizations that lift up the poor so they may permanently and independently share in Alaska's bounty. **Primary Funding Ar…
How do I apply for a grant from Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation?
**Grant Ranges:** • Typical awards range from $100 to $305,000 • Recent grants have included awards of $50,000 to $300,000 **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Covenant House Alaska: $300,000 (Covey Academy Operations) • First Church of Christ Scientist: $167,000 (General & Unrestricted) • My House / Mat-Su Youth Housing: $50,000 (General & Unrestricted) **Grant Types:** • General & unrestricted grants • Excellent teacher awards • Youth homeless demonstration projects • Young Life expansions • S…
Where does Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Alaska, with a secondary focus on California and Massachusetts. The vast majority of grantmaking (99%) supports organizations in Alaska, Massachusetts, and California.
What size grants does Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation award?
In 2024, Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation awarded 75 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation's EIN?
Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-6136901. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Richard L and Diane M Block Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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