See the latest news and updates around federal funding across Alaska.
ADN – May 11, 2025 – Trump administration cuts endanger critical science programs in Alaska, researchers say
Scientific work that has long benefited Alaskans is in the crosshairs as President Donald Trump’s administration moves to slash funding for climate and environmental studies, Alaska scientists say. Read more
KTOO – May 8, 2025 – Federal cuts could limit Alaska library services and hours at Juneau branches
Libraries in Alaska may no longer be able to request books from out of state, or mail books and other media to Alaskans who don’t live near a library. Trump administration cuts to federal staff that distributes funding for libraries means has left funding for the state’s Interlibrary Loan services and the Alaska Library Extension program are uncertain after the end of June. Read more
Alaska Beacon – May 8, 2025 – Trump-proposed cut to federal Essential Air Service would fall on rural Alaska
A program that has subsidized commercial aviation rural routes and that is particularly significant in Alaska is a target for a more than 50% reduction in funding under President Donald Trump’s budget proposal. Read more
KTOO – May 8, 2025 – Arctic sea ice has been hitting record lows. Scientists just lost a critical tool for studying it.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced on Tuesday that it will defund a program that catalogs decades sea ice data in Alaska. Scientists say the program’s termination could create a gap in climate research at a time when polar ice is dwindling to historic lows. Read more
ADN – May 2, 2025 – AmeriCorps cuts abruptly end service projects across Alaska as dozens of volunteers are told to halt work
At least 87 federally funded AmeriCorps volunteers were notified this week that their current or upcoming service work in Alaska was abruptly canceled. They include out-of-state volunteers set to work at Girl Scout Camps in Chugiak this summer, and local aspiring teachers planning to tutor young Alaskans. Read more
KTOO – April 28, 2025 – Proposed NOAA cuts could shutter research institutes that train the next generation of Alaska scientists
Alaska could lose several research institutions and a pipeline into science for budding researchers in the state if the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s budget become a reality. Read more
KTUU – April 28, 2025 – Feds lift pause on over a million in funding for rural Alaska federal emergency radio warning upgrades
After expressing public safety concerns, nine rural Alaska public radio stations are now back on track to receive federal grants to pay over a million dollars in emergency warning system upgrades, after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a funding hold had been lifted. Read more
Alaska Beacon – April 23, 2025 – Sen. Murkowski makes pitch for renewable energy’s value in Alaska communities
While the Trump administration emphasizes fossil fuel extraction and pauses funding for renewable projects, the Alaska senator describes renewables as key to energy independence. Read more
ADN – April 22, 2025 – Federal leader of Alaska’s Denali Commission says she is fighting for the agency’s survival
The federal leader of the Denali Commission said she is trying to save long-planned Alaska infrastructure projects now threatened by the Trump administration — and the life of the independent federal commission itself. Read more
Politico – April 15, 2025 – Federal judge orders immediate thaw of climate, infrastructure funds
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that EPA, the Interior and Energy Departments and other agencies unlawfully froze funds under Democrats’ climate and infrastructure spending laws, ordering the agencies to immediately resume disbursing the money. Read more
ADN – April 9, 2025 – ‘Devastating’ DOGE cuts hit museums, cultural centers and libraries all over Alaska
Over the last few weeks, museums, libraries and cultural organizations across Alaska have started receiving notice that funds promised to them through federal programs are being terminated in order to align government spending with a recent Trump administration order and the Department of Government Efficiency. In some cases, the money has already been spent, and small, local organizations are struggling to figure out if they’ll be reimbursed. Read more
Juneau Empire – April 9, 2025 – Trump executive order seeks to block states and municipalities from enforcing their climate policies
An executive order blocking enforcement of climate change and other environmental policies by states and municipalities was signed late Tuesday by President Donald Trump, expanding on multiple previous orders that among other things mandate the elimination of all federal regulations that inhibit maximum utilization of Alaska’s natural resources. Read more
Plastics Recycling Update – April 9, 2025 – Federal funding uncertainty hits recycling projects
Alaska Plastic Recovery had been receiving funding from the U.S. EPA for collecting recyclable plastics to use in its Grizzly Wood composite lumber. But under the Trump administration, such funding is uncertain. In a recent letter to customers, Simpson said, “Due to recent changes in federal funding, we now need to accelerate our timeline and achieve breakeven within the next 9 months,” instead of the originally planned 18 months. The company also is raising prices for its lumber, and sales of Grizzly Wood also will need to double in 2025 to meet sustainability goals. Read more
Alaska Public Media – April 4, 2024 – Juneau considers setting aside money to support Mendenhall Glacier staffing
With Juneau’s cruise ship season less than two weeks away, Juneau officials are proposing to set aside city money to hire staff for one of the city’s main tourist attractions: the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The jobs were formerly filled by federal workers, and city leaders say the proposal would act as a safety net in the face of further uncertainty at the federal level. Read more
ADN – March 30, 2025 – Federal cuts hurt food security programs in several Alaska Native villages
Recent federal budget cuts have led to the termination of key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants, jeopardizing food security programs in several Alaska Native villages. For instance, the Tyonek Grown community farm’s plans for a community food forest are now uncertain due to federal funding reductions. Read more
ADN – March 26, 2025 – Opinion: I live in Kotzebue. Here’s how the federal funding freeze is hurting our community
Today, decision-makers thousands of miles away are “freezing” these investments, setting back projects that were slated to break ground imminently and potentially derailing our goals of achieving energy independence and reducing the ever-increasing cost of keeping our families warm. In total, the administration has frozen $91 million in investments that could support long-term sustainability in a region that is critically important to the US for responsible mineral resource development and geopolitical defense. Read more
Alaska Public Media – March 12, 2025 – Experts say chaotic federal funding freezes are disrupting rural Alaska projects
Alaska experts on energy, housing and infrastructure said billions of dollars are in limbo from President Donald Trump’s funding freezes – and that uncertainty is affecting local communities. The Trump administration paused funding for several major federal programs back in January. Since then, the freeze has interrupted Alaska initiatives ranging from heat pump programs to major infrastructure projects that would protect communities from storm surges and tsunamis. Eight representatives from Alaska-based organizations discussed the disruptions during a joint virtual press conference on Tuesday. Read more
Alaska Public Media – March 7, 2025 – How uncertain federal funds impact local governments and nonprofits | Alaska Insight
The Trump administration’s freezes on funds that support infrastructure, food supplies, renewable energy and other needed services across the state has created instability and confusion for community nonprofits and local governments. On this Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend is joined by Laurie Wolf, President and CEO of the Foraker Group, and Nils Andreassen, Executive Director of the Alaska Municipal League, to discuss the impacts of the frozen funding and the uncertainty they bring. Read more
KFSK – March 5, 2025 – ‘Federal funding cuts aren’t just numbers’: Petersburg Borough sends letter of concern to Alaska’s congressional delegation
The Petersburg Borough is sending a letter to Alaska’s congressional delegation expressing concern over proposed federal funding cuts. That’s after the borough assembly voted in favor of the move at a meeting on March 3. Read more
KUCB – March 5, 2025 – Leading Alaska state lawmakers urge congressional delegation to act on federal budget cuts
Republican Senate President Gary Stevens and Independent House Speaker Bryce Edgmon co-authored an open letter Feb. 27 calling Alaska’s all-Republican congressional delegation to action. The letter, addressed to Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and House Rep. Nick Begich III, urges for “a reasoned approach” to the Trump administration’s budget-slashing initiatives. A copy was also sent to Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Read more
Foraker Group – February 25, 2025 – Crisis, Chaos, and Confusion: What we are Hearing from Nonprofits
A funding freeze for any length of time could affect the billions of dollars Alaska receives each year from the federal government. To better understand the impact of a freeze, Foraker conducted two surveys of nonprofits over the past month. We received close to 300 responses from a wide range of organizations that serve Alaskans. Here’s some of what we learned: Read the Report. We are hearing from many organizations in crisis. We want to help advocate for the important services you provide. Please provide us with updates so that we can share the impacts with our policymakers. Fill out this real-time consequences form to share your news. Read more
Alaska Beacon – January 29, 2025 – Uncertainty and confusion in Alaska as Trump attempts to freeze federal spending
President Donald Trump’s order to pause the spending of billions of dollars in federal grants triggered a wave of anxiety, fear and uncertainty on Tuesday in Alaska, a state dependent more than any other on federal spending. “For me, it was pandemic-level chaotic,” said Nils Andreassen, director of the Alaska Municipal League, which works with cities and boroughs statewide. Read more
Senator Murkowski Press Release – January 28, 2025 – Murkowski Releases Statement on Suspension of Federal Funding
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement on federal funding: “Alaskans have understandably been reaching out to my office all day, asking for clarity about what OMB’s memo ordering a pause in grants, loans, and other federal financial assistance means for them. At this point, we don’t have any more direction than what has been reported. Read moreDN
Enhancing Infrastructure Engagement: Build Alaska’s Future Upgrades GIS Map to Make Opportunities More Accessible to All Alaskans. Anchorage, Alaska – April 7, 2024 – Build Alaska’s Future Education Fund (BAFEF) released major improvements to its interactive infrastructure funding map, aimed at revitalizing engagement across Alaska. These strategic upgrades are part
While our work is centered in Alaska, it has inspired other locations across the United States. This broad impact is evident in the diverse donations we’ve received from all parts of the country, emphasizing the universal applicability of our model. We are pleased to share the achievements and milestones that
Anchorage, Alaska – Build Alaska’s Future Education Fund, a 501(c)3 educational non-profit organization dedicated to advancing good governance, public engagement, and civic participation while remaining non-partisan, is thrilled to announce the forthcoming launch of its one-of-a-kind interactive map, Mapping the Path to a Stronger Alaska. This initiative aims to engage Alaskans, researchers,
