Spruce Root Inc
Spruce Root Inc. is a Native-founded nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution headquartered in Juneau, Alaska. It supports economic resilience in Southeast Alaska through small-business lending, business development services, and the Sustainable Southeast Partnership, a collaborative network working on community sustainability.
Spruce Root Inc at a glance
In short: Spruce Root Inc gave $659K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $55K), mostly in Alaska. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $658,529
- -27.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $54,877
- -3.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $44,674
- Total assets
- $38,810,332
- +27.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (2 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Alaska (86% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Spruce Root Inc
- Next open deadline
- January 9, 2027 (Master Class Grant)
- Contact
Mailing address: One Sealaska Plaza 400, Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 586-1512
Website: https://spruceroot.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Spruce Root Inc
Who Spruce Root Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Sitka Conservation Society ($134K). Together the top 10 received $634K.
Grant Size Distribution
57 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 57 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Spruce Root is based in Juneau and states that it prioritizes Southeast Alaska businesses and communities. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Alaska (86%) and Oregon (14%). The 2024 awards listed include recipients in Sitka, Hoonah, Juneau, Klawock, Skagway, Anchorage, and Craig, Alaska, as well as Portland, Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Spruce Root Inc open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 12 grantees (17%) 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 $30K; repeat grants $60K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $45K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $372K (2022) to $905K (2023). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $659K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sitka Conservation Society Sitka, AK | Sustainable Southeast Partnership Catalyst - Program Funding | $134,000 |
| Ecotrust Portland, OR | Sustainable southeast partnership catalyst - program & project funding | $89,080 |
| Hoonah Indian Association Hoonah, AK | Sustainable southeast partnership catalyst - program & project funding | $87,000 |
| Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida Juneau, AK | Sustainable Southeast Partnership Program & Project Funding | $55,000 |
| Klawock Cooperative Association (KCA) Klawock, AK | Sustainable Southeast Partnership Catalyst - Program Funding | $53,468 |
| Aware Juneau, AK | Sustainable southeast partnership catalyst - program & project funding | $47,347 |
| Skagway Development Corporation Skagway, AK | Sustainable Southeast Partnership Catalyst - Program Funding | $42,000 |
| Renewable Energy Alaska Project Anchorage, AK | Sustainable Southeast Partnership Catalyst - Program Funding | $42,000 |
| Kootznoowoo Incorporated Juneau, AK | Sustainable Southeast Partnership Catalyst - Program Funding | $42,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Alaska Chapter Anchorage, AK | Sustainable Southeast Partnership Catalyst - Program Funding | $41,933 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $38,810,332 | $12,064,509 | $5,040,398 | $658,529 | 12 | $801,932 |
| 2023 | $30,397,018 | $8,914,190 | $3,997,069 | $905,298 | 16 | $674,961 |
| 2022 | $21,033,643 | $20,825,542 | $2,913,388 | $371,764 | 9 | $2,585 |
| 2021 | $2,965,503 | $3,464,933 | $3,457,340 | $379,525 | 12 | $-23,159 |
| 2020 | $2,882,638 | $1,991,162 | $1,883,433 | $388,750 | 8 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
In its 2024 filing, Spruce Root describes its mission as assisting Southeast Alaska’s people, businesses, and communities in reaching long-term economic, social, and environmental resilience, and improving local economic conditions through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. It says it provides micro and small-business loans to eligible borrowers.
The organization’s programs include lending, business and client services, the Path to Prosperity business competition, and the Sustainable Southeast Partnership. The partnership brings organizations and individuals together to strengthen cultural, ecological, and economic prosperity, sustainability, and resilience. Spruce Root’s website describes its business services as including coaching, workshops, and other support for local business owners.
Its 2024 grants supported organizations with varied missions. Sitka Conservation Society says it educates the public about conservation issues; Ecotrust describes work at the intersection of equity, the economy, and the environment; and AWARE says it provides shelter and supportive services for survivors of domestic or sexual violence. Other grantees include Skagway Development Corporation, which promotes local economic development, and Renewable Energy Alaska Project, which works to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency in Alaska.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Spruce Root reported 12 grants totaling $658,529. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $134,000, with a median of $44,674. The stated purposes for the listed awards concern Sustainable Southeast Partnership program, project, or catalyst funding.
The largest awards were $134,000 to Sitka Conservation Society, $89,080 to Ecotrust, $87,000 to Hoonah Indian Association, $55,000 to the Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, and $53,468 to Klawock Cooperative Association. Other awards included $47,347 to AWARE, $42,000 each to Skagway Development Corporation, Renewable Energy Alaska Project, and Kootznoowoo Incorporated, $41,933 to The Nature Conservancy Alaska Chapter, $18,701 to Shaan Seet, and $6,000 to Southeast Conference.
The filing says grants were distributed under Path to Prosperity competition rules or Sustainable Southeast Partnership agreements. Funds were disbursed to award recipients after documentation of covered expenditures, or paid directly to third-party vendors for authorized goods or services. Spruce Root’s website describes Path to Prosperity as an annual competition for businesses with positive economic, environmental, and community impacts in Southeast Alaska. It awards $20,000 to each of two winning businesses annually. Its 2026 competition cycle was limited to Alaska Native applicants whose businesses had at least 51% Alaska Native ownership; applications closed May 31, 2026, so that cycle has passed. The website says applicants for that cycle needed to be Southeast Alaska residents, and that 501(c)(3) nonprofits were not eligible.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Leslie Isaacss as chair; Chris Perez as president and finance committee member; Joe Nelson as secretary and Sustainable Southeast Partnership steering committee member; Anthony Mallott as board member and treasurer; La Quen Naay Tsiits Git Anee as board member and finance committee and Sustainable Southeast Partnership steering committee member; and Sarah Dybdahl and Robert Allen as board members on the senior loan advisory committee. It also lists Alana Peterson as executive director, Laurel Stark as finance director, and Ashley Snookes as client services director.
Spruce Root Inc is led by Alana Peterson, Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alana Peterson
Executive Director
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$106K (2020) → $158K (2024)
Chris Perez
President & Finance Committee
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Isaacss
Chair
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Snookes
Client Services Director
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$103K (2024)
Laurel Stark
Finance Director
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$121K (2024)
Anthony Mallott
Board Member & Treasurer
Director → Investment Committee & Ssp Steering Committee, 2022
Investment Committee & Ssp Steering Committee → Board Member & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Nelson
Secretary & Ssp Steering Committee
Board Secretary → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Secretary & Ssp Steering Committee, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Dybdahl
Board Member & Senior Loan Advisory Committee
Board Member & Investment Committee → Board Member, 2023
Board Member → Board Member & Senior Loan Advisory Committee, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
La Quen Naay Tsiits Git Anee
Board Member, Finance Committee & Ssp Steering Committee
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Allen
Board Member & Senior Loan Advisory Committee
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Norman Cohen (2020–2023) — Treasurer & Finance Committee
- Former: La Quen Naay Liz Medicine Crow (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Christopher Perez (2020–2021) — Board President
- Former: Leslie Issacs (2020–2021) — Board Chair
- Former: Liz La Quen Naay Medicine Crow (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Susan Bell (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $158K, to Alana Peterson (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Spruce Root Inc
How much does Spruce Root Inc give each year?
Spruce Root Inc gave $659K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $905K across 16 grants.
What is Spruce Root Inc's typical grant size?
Spruce Root Inc's median grant in 2024 was $44,674, and its average grant was $54,877, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Spruce Root Inc that year got $30K on average.
Where does Spruce Root Inc give grants?
Spruce Root Inc gives mostly in Alaska: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Oregon (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Juneau, AK (4 grants) and Anchorage, AK (2 grants).
Does Spruce Root Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Spruce Root Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Sustainable Southeast Partnership Catalyst - Program Funding" (7 grants).
Who are Spruce Root Inc's largest grantees?
Spruce Root Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Sitka Conservation Society ($134,000), Ecotrust ($89,080) and Hoonah Indian Association ($87,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Spruce Root Inc?
Spruce Root Inc reported $38.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.1M.
What does Spruce Root Inc fund?
In its 2024 filing, Spruce Root describes its mission as assisting Southeast Alaska’s people, businesses, and communities in reaching long-term economic, social, and environmental resilience, and improving local economic conditions through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Spruce Root Inc?
Spruce Root Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check spruceroot.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Spruce Root Inc's EIN?
Spruce Root Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4295940. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Spruce Root Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Spruce Root Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/spruce-root-inc-morg_904702aaff664b8ea29d21d6934a7d55
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_454295940_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Spruce Root Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/spruce-root-inc-morg_904702aaff664b8ea29d21d6934a7d55},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. 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 Spruce Root Inc'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.
Spruce Root Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?