2021
IN REVIEW
Now Is Alaska's Moment
At Alaska Venture Fund, we pursue bold ideas and new ways of working, expanding the idea of what is possible–in Alaska and beyond.
We believe right now is Alaska’s opportunity to build a better future. One that embraces our cultural heritage, grows sustainably, and looks out for everyone’s wellbeing.
The time for action is here.
Scroll down to see what we have accomplished during 2021.
2021 Highlights
Alaska Venture Fund Awarded $10M by the Bezos Earth Fund to advance climate and environmental justice work
With the generous support of the Bezos Earth Fund, Alaska Venture Fund is able to scale up its portfolio of environmental and climate justice ventures and partnerships with Alaska Native leaders, tribes, and organizations to advance new work in this field. The grant will be used to secure resources for Indigenous-led, place-based environmental justice projects; ensure Alaska Native communities receive an equitable share of the benefits accruing from federal investments; and support the next generation of Tribal leaders working to solve systemic vulnerabilities and create emergent opportunities within their communities. For more information, click here.
Indigenous Peoples Ecosystem Stewardship Virtual Exchange Program
Throughout the fall of 2021, Alaska Native leaders gathered virtually to envision the future of ecological stewardship projects across Alaska. This program, which was facilitated by Alaska Venture Fund, featured Indigenous peers from around the world who’ve successfully led large-scale land and marine-based stewardship projects. Such projects, which provide social, ecological, and economic benefits to people and ecosystems while formally recognizing Indigenous values and sovereignty, have enormous potential in Alaska. The exchange program generated significant ideas and momentum for new Alaska-based initiatives while also creating space for the dialogue and connections necessary to bring them to life.
Alaska Venture Fund publishes groundbreaking papers exploring the opportunities and impacts of climate change response efforts for Alaska
With 53% of the nation’s stored carbon held in our lands and our climate warming more than twice as fast as the rest of the US, Alaska has a critical role to play in efforts to tackle climate change. In 2021, Alaska Venture Fund commissioned a series of papers exploring how Alaska can lean in to this role and the potential benefits of doing so for Alaskans. Click here for more information and to read the papers.
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DOE Language Revitalization Grant awarded for the Iliamna region
Building on years of work by Igiugig Village Council to uplift Dena’ina and Yup’ik languages, the Department of Education has awarded the community a $2.1M grant to expand these efforts across the Lake and Peninsula Borough School District. Through this investment, Igiugig will be able to employ three full-time and six part-time language coordinators, create new opportunities for remote language learning, help students develop the skills they need to build careers in language revitalization, and create a virtual cultural curriculum for language learning in local schools.
Bristol Bay Defense Fund celebrates progress towards protections
The last 12 months have delivered a string of hard-fought wins in the effort to protect Bristol Bay from the threat of Pebble Mine, including reinstatement of a process to apply Clean Water Act protections. The Bristol Bay Defense Fund continues its public-facing campaign to ensure the EPA makes a final protective decision in summer 2022, while also pursuing parallel legal and legislative pathways toward permanent protections for the region. Join the fight to protect Bristol Bay here.
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Venture Updates
Publications 2021
Exploring climate-related opportunities for leadership and economic opportunity in Alaska.
This paper examines the emerging issues and solutions to address climate change through Indigenous perspectives while centering Alaska Native peoples and communities.
A peer-reviewed synthesis paper underlining Alaska's global significance for climate change & conservation.
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS
Our work would not be possible without your generous support.
We believe in the future of Alaska. Thank you for believing in us.