The CIRI Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1982 by the ANCSA Corporation Cook Inlet Region, Inc. Board of Directors. Headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, the foundation operates as a non-operating foundation with a staff of 7 employees. The organization serves as a grantmaking entity dedicated to supporting Alaska Native communities, particularly those affiliated with Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$63.9M
+7.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
-31.1% YoY
Grant Count
250
-69.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+122.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The CIRI Foundation's mission is to promote individual self-development and economic self-sufficiency through education and to maintain pride in culture and heritage among Alaska Natives who are original enrollees of the Cook Inlet region and their descendants.
The foundation pursues two primary goals:
Education and Career Development – Encouraging the education and career development of Alaska Native beneficiaries through post-secondary scholarships and grants, research, and other education projects.
Cultural Preservation – Perpetuating and enhancing the heritage of Cook Inlet region's Alaska Native people through programs that foster appreciation and understanding by the general public. The foundation supports living traditions through heritage publications, books, videos, and media productions that celebrate Alaska Native cultures.
Grantmaking
The CIRI Foundation administers multiple grant programs:
Grant Range
of $3,000 to $6,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The CIRI Foundation primarily funds organizations in Alaska and Alaska Native communities. Grantmaking reaches organizations across multiple states, with primary focus on Alaska, Illinois, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $63.9 million
- Annual Revenue: $10.9 million
- Total Revenues (2024): $4.1 million
- Total Expenses (2024): $3.9 million
Historical Growth:
- Total assets grew from $48 million in 2011 to $59.6 million in 2023
- Annual giving increased from $2.8 million in 2021 to $5.1 million in 2022
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $63,872,272 | $59,623,492 | $55,325,069 |
| Revenue | $4,136,799 | $4,765,798 | $2,733,822 |
| Expenses | $3,868,715 | $4,942,346 | $4,455,621 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,638,491 | $5,136,019 | $4,118,713 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,911,478 | $3,180,292 | $1,363,242 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,009,988 | $2,850,677 | $2,907,516 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from The CIRI Foundation
A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Art & Culture Project Grant
The CIRI Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Achievement Annual Scholarship Grant
The CIRI Foundation
Amount
Up to US $8,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
CIRI Foundation: Cap Lathrop Scholarship
The CIRI Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Connie Wirz – Principal Officer
- Deanna S – Board Member
The foundation is governed by 15 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONNIE WIRZ | CEO | 40 | $159,676 |
| JEFF GONNASON | CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | $6,250 |
| RYAN NEWTON | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 0.5 | $5,350 |
| DEANNA SACKETT | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | $4,250 |
| JESSICA GREINER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | $4,000 |
| SUSAN WELLS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | $3,500 |
| KYLA MORRIS | VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | — |
| LOUIS NAGY JR | VICE CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | — |
| CHERYL WILGA | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CYNTHIA MULLER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| RAYNA BIRD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DANIEL MITCHELL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DONNA JAMES | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DAVID WIGHT | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The CIRI Foundation has recently launched improvements to its operations and programs:
Implementation of an improved online application system for grant submissions
The CIRI Foundation Launches Improved Online Application System - CIRIUpdates to the TCF Scholarship Program and application portal
TCF Scholarship Program and Portal Updates - CIRIExpansion of the CIRI Tribal Grant Program
CIRI in the Community: CIRI Tribal Grant Program - CIRICelebration of 2024–2025 scholarship recipients
Celebrating TCF\u2019s 2024-2025 Scholarship Recipients - CIRIThe foundation continues to actively accept grant applications and maintains recent grant activity across its multiple funding programs.
CIRI in the Community: CIRI Tribal Grant Program - CIRISubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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