Youth Cultural Activities Grant

The Youth Cultural Activities Grant, offered by the Alaska Children's Trust, aims to enhance youth mental health through cultural engagement. Eligible organizations can apply for up to $1,000 to support activities such as subsistence practices, traditional arts, language learning, and cultural celebrations. With rising mental health concerns among Alaska's youth, this funding will empower communities to foster cultural connections and provide supportive environments for young people, ensuring they thrive as the future of Alaska.

Promoting access to cultural activities helps strengthen two of the strongest protective factors associated with youth mental wellbeing:
a connection to one’s culture and community andthe presence of a caring adult outside of one’s immediate family.
Promoting protective factors can also be fun! From organizing fun events to help youth celebrate cultural holidays to hosting Alaska Native youth dance groups, organizations across Alaska are finding exciting ways to promote mental wellbeing, strengthen youths’ cultural connectedness, and build healthy relationships.
Building the protective factors that strengthen youth mental health is especially important today. Alaska’s high school students report rising levels of sadness and hopelessness, and Alaska’s teen suicide rate is increasing. To strengthen mental wellbeing and increase protective factors for youth, the Alaska Children’s Trust will provide up to $1,000 to support work that engages youth in cultural activities. Project ideas include (but are not limited to) activities that:
Engage youth in subsistence activities;Teach youth traditional arts and crafts;Promote language learning;Engage youth in cultural celebrations.
Funding
Applicant can apply for up to $1,000 in funding.

Eligibility

Applications are accepted from qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, or equivalent organizations located in the state of Alaska. Equivalent organizations may include tribes, local or state governments, schools, or regional educational attendance areas.

Ineligibility

Individuals, for-profit, 501(c)(4) or (c)(6) organizations, non-Alaska based organizations, and federal government agencies are not eligible for competitive grants. Applicants with outstanding and past due grant requirements are ineligible for funding.