Atwood Foundation Incorporated - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,350,806 (2024)
• Success Rate: Information not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly board meetings (March, June, September)
• Grant Range: $1,500 - $235,000
• Median Grant: $12,000
• Geographic Focus: Anchorage, Alaska and vicinity
• Total Assets: $56.6 million
• Number of Awards: 87 grants in 2024, 96 in 2023

Contact Details

Address: 301 West Northern Lights Boulevard, Suite 440, Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone: (907) 274-4900

Email: atwoodfoundation@gci.net

Website: www.atwoodfoundation.org

Executive Director: Sara Perman (as of July 2024)

Pre-Application Consultation: Required for first-time applicants - must call at least two weeks before deadline

Overview

The Atwood Foundation was established in 1962 by Robert Atwood, the long-time editor and publisher of the Anchorage Times, and his wife Evangeline Atwood, a historian, activist, and philanthropist. The foundation was created to benefit and advance the community of Anchorage, Alaska, particularly its young people, by financially assisting the initiation, completion, and maintenance of non-profit organization projects and programs in the fine arts, journalism, history, and other civic enterprises.

With assets of $56.6 million and annual giving of approximately $2.35 million, the Atwood Foundation is recognized as the sixth-greatest annual distributor of grants in Alaska according to the Grantsmanship Center's "Top Ten Giving Foundations" list. The foundation has been a major financial supporter of arts and education in Anchorage for over 60 years, continuing the Atwood family's legacy of philanthropy. In 2024, Sara Perman assumed the role of Executive Director, succeeding her father Ira Perman who led the foundation for many years. The Atwood Concert Hall, the largest theater in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage, is named in honor of Evangeline Atwood, recognizing her significant contributions to the arts community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grant Program: $1,500 - $235,000 (median: $12,000)

• Rolling application process with quarterly board review
• Supports projects and programs serving Anchorage residents and visitors
• Applications accepted via email, mail, or hand delivery

Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism Grants: Two specialized programs

• Alaska Arts Reporting Initiative: Up to $5,000 per grant ($19,000 total funding pool)
• Alaska Impact Reporting Initiative: Up to $10,000 per grant ($10,000 total funding pool)

Educational Support Programs:

• Two scholarships in the Department of Journalism and Public Communications at University of Alaska Anchorage
• Endowed chair position in journalism at UAA
• Scholarships at Alaska Pacific University

Priority Areas

The Arts: The foundation has a strong commitment to supporting arts organizations in Anchorage, including dance, theater, music, writing, and arts education. Evangeline Atwood was a founder or early advocate of the Anchorage Opera Association, Anchorage Community Theatre, Alaska Repertory Theatre, and Alaska Light Opera Theatre.

Journalism: A cornerstone of the foundation's mission, reflecting Robert Atwood's career as a newspaperman. The foundation supports journalism education, professional development, and quality journalism initiatives through the Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism.

History: Projects that preserve and promote Alaska's history and heritage, honoring Evangeline Atwood's work as a historian and her recognition as Alaska Historical Society's Historian of the Year in 1975.

Military Community: Support for active-duty military personnel and their families, with programs that engage and benefit service members in the Anchorage area.

Youth and Family Engagement: Activities that engage families and educate youth, with a particular emphasis on serving young people in the Anchorage community.

What They Don't Fund

• Geographic Restrictions: Organizations not based in Anchorage or not serving Anchorage residents and visitors
• Non-501(c)(3) Organizations: Applicants must provide IRS tax exemption letter as part of the application

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• David Tobin - Chair
• Carolyn Heyman - Vice Chair
• Spencer Shroyer - Secretary/Treasurer
• Maria Downey - Trustee
• Jeannette Lee - Trustee
• Megan Olson - Trustee
• Tim Thompson - Trustee
• Natasha Von Imhof - Trustee

Executive Leadership

Sara Perman - Executive Director (July 2024 - present)

Sara Perman brings eight years of experience in public affairs, having served most recently as State Government Relations Manager for the University of Alaska. She worked with the Atwood Foundation for five years prior to becoming Executive Director, managing grants and fostering relationships with grantees. She succeeded her father, Ira Perman, who led the foundation for many years.

Ira Perman - Former Executive Director (retired July 2024)

Ira Perman was the only compensated member of the board with an annual salary of $130,000. His advice to applicants and the community: "Try something you haven't tried before. Reach out, go beyond your comfort zone and explore." Perman was known for being "always happy and willing to take calls and emails to discuss the possibility of a grant."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Methods:

• Email: Scan and email applications to atwoodfoundation@gmail.com
• Mail: Send to Atwood Foundation, 301 West Northern Lights Boulevard, Suite 440, Anchorage, AK 99503
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to the above address

Required for First-Time Applicants: Call the foundation at least two weeks before the next grant deadline to discuss your project idea. According to the foundation's guidance, "First time applicants who do not consult with the foundation in advance are usually not funded." This pre-application consultation is essentially a prerequisite for successful first-time applications.

Application Materials:

• Grant application form (available on website)
• Application checklist (downloadable)
• IRS 501(c)(3) tax exemption letter
• Grant contract and reporting requirements acknowledgment

Decision Timeline

The board meets quarterly in March, June, and September to review grant applications. Board staff meetings occur throughout the year to discuss grant progress and review applications. The foundation appears to operate on a rolling basis with applications reviewed at the next scheduled quarterly meeting.

Notification Method: Specific notification procedures are not detailed in publicly available information.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available. However, the foundation's grant activity demonstrates robust support:

• 2024: 87 grants awarded totaling $2,350,806
• 2023: 96 grants awarded
• 2022: 82 grants awarded

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not available in public sources. Organizations should contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplication procedures.

Application Success Factors

Pre-Application Consultation is Critical: The foundation's most explicit guidance is that first-time applicants must call at least two weeks before the deadline to discuss their project. This is not optional - the foundation has stated that first-time applicants who do not consult in advance are usually not funded.

Demonstrate Service to Anchorage: Eligibility is strictly limited to nonprofits based in Anchorage that serve Anchorage residents and visitors. Applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed project will benefit the Anchorage community, particularly young people.

Align with Core Focus Areas: The foundation has maintained consistent priorities since 1962. Projects in the arts, journalism, history, and programs serving military families and youth have the strongest alignment. The foundation's history shows particularly strong support for arts organizations across multiple disciplines.

Build on the Atwood Legacy: Understanding the foundation's history can strengthen your application. Robert Atwood was a newspaper publisher and advocate for Alaska statehood. Evangeline Atwood was a historian, founder of arts organizations, and champion of civic engagement. Projects that reflect these values resonate with the foundation's mission.

Be Accessible and Open to Communication: Former Executive Director Ira Perman's advice to "try something you haven't tried before, reach out, go beyond your comfort zone and explore" suggests the foundation values innovation and willingness to take calculated risks.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• First-time applicants must schedule a consultation at least two weeks before the deadline - this is essentially mandatory for funding consideration
• Geographic focus is non-negotiable: Only nonprofits based in Anchorage serving Anchorage residents and visitors are eligible
• Grant size varies widely: With awards ranging from $1,500 to $235,000 and a median of $12,000, tailor your request to your actual project needs
• Quarterly review cycle: Plan your application timeline around the March, June, and September board meetings
• Youth focus strengthens applications: The foundation was explicitly established to benefit "particularly young people" in Anchorage
• Legacy matters: Demonstrate how your work continues the legacy of supporting arts, journalism, history, and civic engagement in Anchorage
• Relationship-building is valued: Treat the pre-application consultation as an opportunity to build a long-term relationship

References

• Atwood Foundation Official Website. "Grant Information." www.atwoodfoundation.org. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• Atwood Foundation. "Staff and Board Members." www.atwoodfoundation.org/board.html. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• Atwood Foundation. "2023 Donations - Grantees." www.atwoodfoundation.org/2023grants.html. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• Atwood Foundation. "Evangeline Rasmuson Atwood - Biography." www.atwoodfoundation.org/evangelinebio.html. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Atwood Foundation Incorporated." EIN: 92-6002571. projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/926002571. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• Instrumentl. "Atwood Foundation 990 Report." www.instrumentl.com/990-report/atwood-foundation-inc. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• Cause IQ. "Atwood Foundation." www.causeiq.com/organizations/atwood-foundation,926002571/. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• Anchorage Press. "PROGRESS: Atwood Foundation." February 25, 2018. www.anchoragepress.com/arts_and_entertainment/progress-atwood-foundation/article_dca43880-19d6-11e8-b4a5-4f67ef77fecd.html. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• Alaska Business Magazine. "Atwood Foundation Keeps Executive Director in the Family." www.akbizmag.com/industry/media-arts/atwood-foundation-keeps-executive-director-in-the-family/. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• University of Alaska Anchorage. "Donor Spotlight: Atwood Foundation." www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/deansdispatch/donor-atwood.cshtml. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• Inside Philanthropy. "Atwood Foundation." www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/alaska-grants/atwood-foundation. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• Alaska History. "Atwood, Robert 'Bob'." www.alaskahistory.org/biographies/atwood-robert-bob/. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• Alaska History. "Atwood, Evangeline (Rasmuson)." www.alaskahistory.org/biographies/atwood-evangeline-rasmuson/. Accessed February 24, 2026.
• University of Alaska Anchorage. "About Robert Atwood - Atwood Chair of Journalism." www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/journalism-and-communication/atwood-chair-of-journalism/about-robert-atwood.cshtml. Accessed February 24, 2026.