As an Affiliate of The Alaska Community Foundation, the Cordova Community Foundation’s (CCF) goal is to support projects that enhance the quality of life for Cordova residents, addressing immediate needs while working toward long-term improvements. We are continually listening and learning about what is important to you.
We use proceeds from our growing permanent endowment to award yearly grants to support charitable organizations and programs in Cordova. Grant awards support healthy communities by addressing a variety of needs, including: health and wellness, compassionate health care, innovative education, community enrichment, active enjoyment of the natural environment, and arts and cultural expression. We seek projects that have the potential to impact a broad range of local residents and show collaboration with other organizations in our hometown. New applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please feel free to contact any member of the Advisory Board if you have a project you hope we’ll support.
2023 Grants Awarded
Cordova Community Foundation’s (CCF) 2023 competitive grant cycle closed on October 13, 2023. Numerous applications from qualified, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organizations (or equivalents, such as Tribal entities, schools, and faith-based organizations) that support charitable projects and programs in Cordova were reviewed by a grant committee consisting of the seven CCF Advisory Board Members and five other members of the community. Grants were awarded as follows:
Cape St. Elias Lightkeepers Association – $2,600 for Cape St. Elias Boathouse Restoration. The Cape St. Elias Lighthouse complex is historically important to Cordova, and we enjoy the display of the original Fresnel lens that is highlighted in The Cordova Museum windows facing First Street. Phase One of the boathouse renovation project was completed in the summer of 2023 and included stripping off the old cedar siding and wrapping the building in a breathable waterproof membrane. Phase One was completed using in-kind donations of material and volunteer labor. This grant will support Phase Two of the project during the summer of 2024 and will consist of replacing/installing the historically correct cedar shingles.
Cordova Iceworm Swim Team – $1,425 for Swimmer Supplies. Iceworm Swim Team coaches expected to have around 45 swimmers sign up for swim team in 2023 and were surprised to have over 60 children wanting to participate. This taxed the already short supply of items such as swim bridges and junior kick boards. Pool rental was also going to be a large expense, if the team were to successfully host a swim meet in Cordova this year. The grant will cover the necessary supplies and pool rental for an in-town swim meet, allowing all local swimmers to participate.
Cordova 4H Music Camp – $1,000 for Increased Instrumentation. Each year around 30 younger students enjoy a week of Hawaiian Music Camp while around 70 older students participate in Bluegrass Music Camp in Cordova. The 4H Music Camp board has worked continually to expand the capacity for these camps, as they draw not only many students from Cordova, but others from all over the state and country. This grant will allow the acquisition of more violins or perhaps even a student-sized cello for use in the camps. These instruments then continue to be put into students’ hands as part of the Morning Music Program during the school year.
Cordova Jr/Sr High School Close Up Program – $1,500 for Hostel Expenses in New York City. For the last 16 years, Cordova high school students, in addition to being immersed into our national governmental structure and processes for a week at Close Up, have been able to spend 4 days experiencing the culture of New York City. For many, it is a trip of a lifetime with visits to the Statue of Liberty, the Stock Exchange, and Broadway shows, not to mention navigating the subway system and NYC eateries. Parents and students do the bulk of the fundraising for this monumental trip. This grant will help with the lodging cost during the New York City portion of the trip.
Copper River Watershed Project – $2,600 for Increased Aluminum Recycling. While CRWP has been a leader in the push for aluminum can recycling in Cordova since 2002, this latest project has the potential to double the amount of aluminum can recycling that is currently happening. CRWP acquired a baler with funding from The Rasmuson Foundation which is currently used by CRWP to bale recycle fishing web and by the City of Cordova to bale aluminum cans. The bales of aluminum are being shipped with the web, and are helping defray the cost of shipping both the cans and the web. This grant will support the purchase of signage on recycle dumpsters, the purchase of recycle containers that can be used at community events to collect cans (the Cordova Chamber of Commerce will house and loan these cans out), and the identification and removal of barriers to recycling for the high volume can producers in Cordova (i.e. bars, restaurants, fish processors).
Are you inspired by these grants that are supporting the quality of life in Cordova? Do you or your organization have a great idea that could use a little funding? Keep your eyes open for Cordova Community Foundation’s next competitive grant cycle which will open September 3rd, 2024.
Please direct general questions to CCF’s Program Manager, Gayle Groff, at ggroff@alaskacf.org. Please direct eligibility and technical questions about the online grant system to The Alaska Community Foundation’s Affiliate Program Staff at affiliate@alaskacf.org or 907-334-6700.
Grant Applicant Resources
Grantee Resources
If you are a current grantee and need to complete a grant report or other follow-up, please note that these are completed using the online grant system.
Online Grant Reporting Tutorial
2023 Cordova CF Grant Report Questions
If you are looking for resources on how best to promote or share about the Cordova CF grant your organization received, please see communication guidelines and logos below.
Communication Guidelines for Cordova CF Grantees
2019-2023 Grant Awards
| Grantee | Project Name | Amount |
| Copper River Watershed Project | Increased Aluminum Recycling | $2,600 |
| Cordova Jr/ Sr High School | Close Up – New York City Hostel | $1,500 |
| Cordova 4H Music Camp | Increased Instruments | $1,000 |
| Cordova Iceworm Swim Team | Swimmer Supplies | $1,425 |
| Cape St. Elias Lightkeepers Association | Cape St. Elias Boathouse Restoration | $2,600 |
| Mavis Island Project (thru PWS Economic Development District) | Recreational Use Improvement | $1,700 |
| Alaska Hummingbird Project | Banding Demonstration Equipment | $1,300 |
| Cordova 4H Music Camp | Course Expansion + | $2,000 |
| Cordova Trail and Covered Spaces | Strategic Planning | $2,000 |
| Cordova Arts & Pageants, Ltd. | Event Tent Purchase | $3,000 |
| Prince William Sound Science Center: Discovery Room | Science Education Field Trips | $3,000 |
| Copper River Watershed Project | Net Recycling | $2,860 |
| Cordova Jr/Sr High School: Art Class | Collaborative Mural | $2,000 |
| Prince William Sound Science Center | Capital Campaign | $2,250 |
| Copper River Watershed Project | Net Recycling | $2,250 |
| Salvation Army | Food Bank | $7,500 |
| Native Village of Eyak | Food Bank | $2,500 |
| Cordova Jr/Sr High School | Close Up | $1,000 |
| Mt. Eccles Elementary Swim Program | Youth survival suits | $1,000 |
Photo credit: Loren Bank