The CIRI Foundation
The CIRI Foundation is a private foundation based in Anchorage, Alaska. Established in 1982 by Cook Inlet Region, Inc., it supports education and career development for Alaska Native beneficiaries and funds projects that preserve Alaska Native culture and heritage.
The CIRI Foundation at a glance
In short: The CIRI Foundation gave $2.3M across 250 grants in 2024 (avg $9K), mostly in Alaska. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,255,023
- -31.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 250
- -69.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $9,020
- +122.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $63,872,272
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Alaska (64% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The CIRI Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing says online applications are required for general semester scholarships, merit awards, vocational training grants, fellowship awards, and other scholarships and grants. Paper applications may be used for internships, village and Raven programs, and other project grants. Its Heritage Project Grant page lists an application form, project proposal, budget form and narrative, proposal narrative describing goals, timeline and expected impact, signed grant agreement, and W-9 as required materials. Heritage projects must be located in the Cook Inlet region; eligible applicants include tribes, nonprofits, and community groups. Non-Native organizations must show how a project benefits CIRI shareholders or their descendants. Projects receiving 25% or more of their funding from state or federal sources are ineligible. Heritage grants do not fund endowments, building projects, equipment purchases, grants to private foundations or funds for redistribution, or completed projects. The foundation’s filing directs applicants to its website for program details and deadlines.
- Review Cycle
- The Heritage Project Grants page lists the next deadline as TBD. The filing directs applicants to the foundation’s website for deadlines.
- Deadline
- The Heritage Project Grants page lists the next deadline as TBD.
- Contact
Application contact: The Ciri Foundation
Mailing address: 3201 C Street Suite 506, Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 793-3575
Website: https://thecirifoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
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
Deadline not published
Achievement Annual Scholarship Grant
The CIRI Foundation
Amount
Up to US $8,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
CIRI Foundation: Cap Lathrop Scholarship
The CIRI Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The CIRI Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Grants Less Than 5000 ($552K). Together the top 10 received $701K.
Organizations only. It also paid 231 grants to individuals ($1,497,959), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
3,028 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3,027 grants of 3,028 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s project grant programs include work in Alaska. Heritage Project Grants must take place in the Cook Inlet region, while the Journey to What Matters grant supports projects throughout Alaska. In 2024, 64% of grant dollars went to recipients in Alaska; the next largest state shares were Washington at 5%, California at 4%, Oregon at 3%, and Florida at 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 250 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The CIRI Foundation gives
- Giving fell 21% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 121% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.3M (2024) to $3.3M (2023). In 2024 it made 250 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grants Less Than 5000 Anchorage, AK | General Funding | $551,574 |
| 38 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $327,364 |
| Southcentral Foundation Anchorage, AK | Arts and Cultural Award | $20,000 |
| Museums Alaska Inc Anchorage, AK | Arts and Cultural Award | $20,000 |
| Chickaloon Native Village Chickaloon, AK | Arts and Cultural Award | $20,000 |
| Organized Village of Kwethluk Kwethluk, AK | Arts and Cultural Award | $15,000 |
| Salamatof Tribe Kenai, AK | Arts and Cultural Award | $15,000 |
| Bunnell Street Arts Center Homer, AK | Arts and Cultural Award | $15,000 |
| Quinhagak Heritage Incorporated Quinhagak, AK | Arts and Cultural Award | $15,000 |
| Museum of the Aleutians Association Unalaska, AK | Arts and Cultural Award | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The CIRI Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $63,872,272 | $4,136,799 | $3,868,715 | $2,255,023 | 250 | $3,638,491 | $2,911,478 | $3,009,988 |
| 2023 | $59,623,492 | $4,765,798 | $4,942,346 | $3,274,554 | 808 | $5,136,019 | $3,180,292 | $2,850,677 |
| 2022 | $55,325,069 | $2,733,822 | $4,455,621 | $2,543,167 | 626 | $4,118,713 | $1,363,242 | $2,907,516 |
| 2021 | $68,131,766 | $5,973,660 | $4,563,772 | $2,839,082 | 671 | $4,251,464 | $3,930,507 | $3,308,628 |
| 2020 | $65,227,557 | $3,809,706 | $4,499,524 | $2,763,923 | 673 | — | $2,514,086 | $2,944,783 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The CIRI Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to foster individual self-development and economic self-sufficiency through education while preserving the culture and legacy of Alaska Natives who are original CIRI shareholders and their lineal descendants. Its stated goals include supporting education and career development and perpetuating Alaska Native cultural heritage.
Its project grants support educational projects, research, cultural preservation, and artistic work. The Heritage Project Grant focuses on projects in the Cook Inlet region; the Journey to What Matters grant supports tangible Alaska Native art projects and intergenerational sharing of artistic knowledge. Eligible project applicants include nonprofit and tribal organizations, and, for some projects, organizations sponsoring an Alaska Native individual. On its website, Museums Alaska describes its mission as supporting Alaska museums and cultural centers and enhancing public understanding of their value. Southcentral Foundation says it works to improve Alaska Native health, educational, cultural, social, and economic conditions. An individual recipient Arts Center describes its work as strengthening Alaska communities through exhibitions, artist residencies, performances, arts education, and community engagement.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 250 grants totaling $2,255,023. Grants ranged from $3,000 to $551,574, with a median of $6,000. The largest listed awards with named recipients included $20,339 to Hydaburg City School District for an arts and cultural award; $20,000 each to Southcentral Foundation and Museums Alaska; and $15,000 each to the Organized Village of Kwethluk, Salamatof Tribe, an individual recipient Arts Center, Quinhagak Heritage Incorporated, and Museum of the Aleutians Association. The listed awards to Southcentral Foundation, Museums Alaska, and an individual recipient Arts Center were for arts and cultural awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Connie Wirz as CEO; Jeff Gonnason as chairman; Ryan Newton as secretary/treasurer; Kyla Morris as vice president; and Louis Nagy Jr. as vice chairman. It also lists Deanna Sackett, Jessica Greiner, Susan Wells, Cheryl Wilga, and Cynthia Muller as directors.
The CIRI Foundation is led by Connie Wirz, CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 6 of 14 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Connie Wirz
CEO
Director → President & CEO, 2023
President & CEO → CEO, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$126K (2023) → $160K (2024)
Jeff Gonnason
Chairman
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $6K (2024)
Deanna Sackett
Director
Director - at Large → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$3K (2022) → $4K (2024)
Donna James
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $0 (2024)
Jessica Greiner
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2023) → $4K (2024)
Susan Wells
Director
Director - at Large → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$500 (2021) → $4K (2024)
Rayna Bird
Director
Assistant Secretary & Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$3K (2021) → $0 (2024)
Cheryl Wilga
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Wight
Director
Director → Director - at Large, 2022
Director - at Large → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Muller
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Mitchell
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kyla Morris
Vice President
Vice President & Director of Programs → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$115K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Ryan Newton
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Louis Nagy Jr.
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Susan Anderson (2020–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Hallie Bissett (2020) — Secretary & Treasurer · Filing note: Thru 42820
- Former: Rayna Hartz (2020) — Assistant Secretary & Treasurer
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 $160K, to Connie Wirz (CEO). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The CIRI Foundation
How much does The CIRI Foundation give each year?
The CIRI Foundation gave $2.3M across 250 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.3M across 808 grants.
What is The CIRI Foundation's typical grant size?
The CIRI Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $6,000, and its average grant was $9,020, across 250 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The CIRI Foundation give grants?
The CIRI Foundation gives mostly in Alaska: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Anchorage, AK (5 grants), Unalaska, AK (2 grants) and Kodiak, AK (2 grants).
Does The CIRI Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 0% of The CIRI Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 250) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Post Secondary Education" (224 grants) and "Arts and Cultural Award" (25 grants).
Who are The CIRI Foundation's largest grantees?
The CIRI Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Grants Less Than 5000 ($551,574), Southcentral Foundation ($20,000) and Museums Alaska Inc ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 231 grants to individuals ($1,497,959), which are not listed by name. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The CIRI Foundation?
The CIRI Foundation reported $63.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The CIRI Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to foster individual self-development and economic self-sufficiency through education while preserving the culture and legacy of Alaska Natives who are original CIRI shareholders and their lineal descendants. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The CIRI Foundation?
The foundation’s filing says online applications are required for general semester scholarships, merit awards, vocational training grants, fellowship awards, and other scholarships and grants. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The CIRI Foundation's EIN?
The CIRI Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-0087914. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The CIRI Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The CIRI Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-ciri-foundation-morg_97686c59cd5e4d648e3e130ff462f783
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_920087914_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The CIRI Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-ciri-foundation-morg_97686c59cd5e4d648e3e130ff462f783},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 The CIRI 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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