Alaska Local Grants

This grant provides funding to community organizations in Soldotna for programs and events that enhance the cultural, economic, and overall quality of life for residents, particularly focusing on public welfare and community growth.

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) accepting applications Juneau Affordable Housing Fund (JAHF) to promote the creation of affordable housing in the Capital City. Donor Name: City and Borough of Juneau State: Alaska County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/23/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Program Goals and Objectives  The primary purpose for establishing the JAHF is to direct financial resources for creation of affordable (0% to 80% area median income (AMI)) and middle-income housing units (80% to 120% AMI) in the City and Borough of Juneau through the following activities: Funding capital costs of rental and ownership housing; Funding for capacity‐building activities of non‐profit housing developers; Leveraging CBJ investments with other fund sources to maximize the number of quality affordable and middle-income housing units that are created or preserved. Funding Priorities The following are priorities of the JAHF in line with the priorities of the CBJ Housing Action Plan. Use of Capital to Develop Housing Units: Funding for capital costs for acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, or preservation of affordable or middle-income housing, senior housing, and possibly homeowner opportunities. Long‐Term Affordability: Units created using JAHF funds that include affordability covenants or that are permanently affordable are preferred. Downtown Housing Development: Units developed within the boundaries established by the Downtown Juneau Residential Tax Abatement Map, Ordinance 2021-01(c)(am) . Funding Information Funds will typically be made available in the following forms: Grants for non-profit organizations and public housing authorities targeting households in the affordable housing range (0% to 80% AMI), and; Low-interest loans for private developers building affordable or middle-income housing; Long-term rental units, with restrictions on short-term rentals; and Qualifying projects are eligible for grants and loans up to $50,000 per housing unit created and for other eligible uses on a similar per-unit basis. For profit-developer projects utilizing JAHF funds for middle-income housing must reserve at least 20% of units for tenants with gross incomes at 80% or less AMI for at least ten years or the life of the loan. Uses of Funds Funding is available for the following uses: For acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, or preservation of affordable housing located within the City and Borough of Juneau, including activities such as: Purchase of developable real estate; Fees for architects and other professionals; Demolition to make way for affordable or middle-income housing; Building materials and labor costs. Costs incurred by nonprofit organizations to develop or implement a specific affordable or middle-income housing project. Examples include: Capacity building such as training, legal, and accounting costs; Technical assistance such as development consultants. Eligibility Criteria  Public and regional housing authorities Non-profit organizations Tribal governments For-profit developers. For more information, visit CBJ.

The Storefront Improvement Program (SIP) is to revitalize Soldotna’s commercial areas by stimulating additional private investment in the local economy. Donor Name: City of Soldotna State: Alaska City: Soldotna Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: By partnering with local business owners and lessees to share the cost of beautifying the exterior of a business, the program aims to boost traffic, increase property values, and improve the overall look and vitality of the city’s commercial districts. The program was established in 2012 to meet several goals of Envision Soldotna 2030, the City’s long-range plan, including: Promoting development of the “downtown area” to attract both visitors and residents; Encouraging redevelopment of key areas, particularly along the river and major highways; Ensuring a healthy economy by supporting a diversity of local businesses; and Improving the streetscape along the Sterling and Kenai Spur Highways. The SIP is a discretionary reimbursement grant, which can be used for exterior improvements to businesses in the City of Soldotna.  Funding Information The amount available for each property is 50% of the cost of eligible improvements, up to a maximum of $7,500. Eligible Work  Rehabilitation of building facades that are visible to the street, including the following elements: storefronts; windows; exterior lighting; canopies and awnings; painting and masonry work; permanent landscaping; decorative, artistic or unique signs and graphics and accessibility improvements. The emphasis of the grant program is to encourage the transformation of building facades through improvements to one or more of the elements listed above.  Greater weight is awarded to projects that incorporate multiple elements.  The grant program is not intended to provide financial assistance for routine upkeep and maintenance (e.g., painting) or to satisfy required updates (e.g., signage resulting from change in ownership or business type, franchise requirements to change paint scheme, etc.). Applications are competitive and the highest ranking proposals will be funded first. Eligibility Criteria Eligible participants include property owners and business lessees. Ineligible participants Properties primarily in residential use (ex. apartments or condominiums); Structures not facing or visible from the right-of-way; Government offices and agencies (non-governmental tenants are eligible); New construction, less than 5 years old. For more information, visit COS.

The Beautification Commission is accepting a second round of applications for the 2024 Beautification Matching Grant Program. Donor Name: City of Valdez State: Alaska City: Valdez Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Valdez Beautification Matching Grant Program offers a financial incentive designed to assist local businesses or commercial property owners in improving the business setting for investors as well as providing an overall upgrade in appearance for residents and visitors. 2024 will be the ninth year of the program and continues with the expansion of eligible properties outside the core downtown district. The 2024 matching grant program’s goal is to improve the overall aesthetics of Valdez through: Improving the overall quality of building/structure façades in order to attract more local residents and visitors to shop, eat, and do business in Valdez. Encouraging businesses to invest in additional aesthetic and design improvements including landscaping and art. Encouraging and incentivizing property/business owners to reinvest in community. Encouraging grant applicants to strengthen the local economy through utilizing local vendors, contractors, and materials. Funding Information Applicants can apply for a grant rebate to pay for up to 50 percent of the cost of improvements, with a maximum reimbursement of $12,500 per building. Projects involving corner buildings or spanning more than one lot/parcel may request larger grant amounts, not to exceed a maximum reimbursement of $25,000. Eligible Properties Properties located in the following zoning districts1 are eligible to apply for funding: Central Business District, General Commercial, Waterfront Industrial and Light Industrial. Properties must be used primarily for a business purpose to be eligible for grant funding. Properties must be up to date on their property taxes and may not have open code violations to apply. For more information, visit City of Valdez.

The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council is pleased to announce the CBJ Major Grants. Donor Name: Juneau Community Foundation State: Alaska City: Juneau Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council administers the City’s funding for the arts. These funds are intended to provide operating support for local arts non-profit organizations whose work helps to cultivate vibrant arts and cultural opportunities, helping to build a strong, prosperous community where creativity and innovation thrive. Funding may be for a specific project or for season support. Subject Community Art Encouragement and Support Project Period July 1, 2024 – June 30 2025. Eligibility Criteria local non-profits Grant review criteria:  Project and organization’s compatibility with JAHC’s core values Artistic quality of the project;  Community benefit from the project; Ability to manage programs and events;  Number of individuals served by project  Project evaluation process;  Prior compliance with JAHC grant policies  Realistic budget and evidence of sound program management;  Current with all licenses and registrations.  Core Values:  Build community  Educate through arts and cultures  Encourage creativity and innovation  Enrich Juneau’s quality of life  Promote Creative Economy  Serve Juneau and surrounding Southeast Alaska communities  Welcome inclusivity For more information, visit JAHC.