Doyon Foundation Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,000,000 (in scholarships, 2024)
• Total Assets: $44,648,504
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: Varies by program; first-come, first-served for basic awards
• Grant Range: $1,600 - $12,500 (scholarships); up to $3,000 (Daaga' Award)
• Geographic Focus: Interior Alaska
• Eligibility: RESTRICTED to Doyon, Limited shareholders and descendants of original enrollees only

Contact Details

Address: 3702 Cameron St, Fairbanks, AK 99709

Phone:

• Local: 907-459-2048
• Toll Free: 888-478-4755
• Scholarships: 907-459-2048 option 1

Email:

• Scholarships: scholarships@doyon.com
• Workforce: workforce@doyonfoundation.com

Website: https://doyonfoundation.com

Scholarship Portal: https://doyonfoundation.academicworks.com

Overview

The Doyon Foundation, established in 1989 as the private foundation of Doyon, Limited, serves as the philanthropic arm of Alaska's largest Alaska Native regional corporation. With total assets of approximately $44.6 million and annual giving of $2 million, the Foundation exclusively supports Doyon shareholders and descendants of original enrollees. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $16.7 million to 18,215 students pursuing educational opportunities. The Foundation focuses on three strategic priority areas: scholarships, workforce development, and language revitalization. In 2024, the Foundation awarded $2 million to 469 students across its various scholarship programs. The Foundation operates in Interior Alaska, serving Alaska Native people of primarily Alaskan Athabaskan descent across the vast Doyon region, which encompasses an area from the Brooks Range in the north to the Alaska Range, and from Alaska's border with Canada in the east extending westward nearly to the shores of Norton Sound.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Competitive Scholarships (Application deadline: May 15)

• Undergraduate: $8,500
• Graduate/Master's: $10,500
• Doctorate: $12,500
• 25 competitive scholarships awarded annually, totaling $243,000 (depending on available funds)
• Selected through independent committee review and scoring process

Full-Time Awards (Rolling basis, first-come, first-served)

• $2,400 per semester
• Requires 12+ credits for undergraduates, 9+ credits for graduates
• Deadlines: March 15 (summer), May 15 (fall), November 15 (spring)

Part-Time Awards (Rolling basis, first-come, first-served)

• $1,600 per semester
• Requires 3-11 credits for undergraduates, 2-8 credits for graduates
• Deadlines: March 15 (summer), May 15 (fall), November 15 (spring)

Career & Technical Awards

• Up to $7,200 per calendar year
• For non-degree-seeking vocational/technical programs

High School Awards

• Up to $1,000
• For high school students taking college credits

Daaga' Award (Rolling applications year-round)

• Up to $3,000 per funding period
• Promotes healthy, clean, and sober Alaska Native communities
• Since 1990, more than $280,000 awarded
• Should be considered supplemental funding; matching funds strengthen applications

Language Revitalization Grants

• $5,000 grants for local language revitalization projects
• Support for nine endangered Doyon region languages

Priority Areas

Education & Scholarships:

• College degrees (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral)
• Vocational and technical training
• Part-time and full-time students
• High school students taking college-level courses
• Career development and workforce training

Language & Cultural Preservation:

• Language revitalization programs
• Online language learning tools (Doyon Languages Online partnership with 7000 Languages)
• Language teacher development
• Traditional Native values and skills (beadwork, artwork, hunting, trapping)

Workforce Development (launched 2023):

• Training and employment opportunities
• Job placement support
• Career pathway development
• Personalized assistance connecting individuals with opportunities

Community Wellness:

• Programs promoting healthy, clean, and sober communities
• Projects integrating spiritual, social, and economic needs
• Community healing initiatives grounded in traditional values

What They Don't Fund

The Doyon Foundation has strict eligibility restrictions:

• Only Doyon, Limited shareholders enrolled to the corporation OR children of original enrollees are eligible
• Gifted or inherited shares do NOT qualify an individual for scholarship eligibility
• Non-Doyon shareholders cannot apply
• Organizations or individuals outside the Doyon shareholder community are not eligible

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Mariah Pitka-Jenkins, Executive Director (since October 2022)

• First Doyon, Limited Class C shareholder to serve as a general manager in the Doyon family of companies
• Former Doyon Foundation board member (2019-2022)
• Former Doyon Foundation scholarship recipient

Mariah Pitka-Jenkins has stated: "I am humbled at the experience to work with our shareholders via the Doyon Foundation. Early in my career, I received the support of the Doyon Foundation to further my education and I am excited at the opportunity give back."

Regarding language preservation initiatives, she noted: "This project represents a powerful step forward in our mission to preserve our Native languages."

Board of Directors

Dr. Charleen C. Fisher, Board Chair

• Assistant Professor at University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Elected to Doyon, Limited Board of Directors in 2021, re-elected with term ending 2027
• Serves on shareholder relations committee and Doyon Natural Resources Development Corporation board

Board Composition: Six-member board including Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and two additional members

Historical Leadership:

• Jennifer Fate served as Foundation board president and contributed significantly over 18 years (departed March 2024)
• In 2019, Lanien Livingston served as board president, with Marie Cleaver and Aaron Roth joining as new board members

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Scholarships:

1. Create account at https://doyonfoundation.academicworks.com
2. Complete general application (required for all applicants)
3. Allow up to three business days for shareholder status verification
4. Submit required documents:
   • Official transcript (sent directly from institution)
   • Proof of academic enrollment (class schedule plus document showing degree program and field of study)
   • If child of original enrollee: certified (notarized) copy of original birth certificate

Daaga' Award:

• Fill out online submission form at www.doyon.com
• Applications accepted and reviewed year-round
• Allow at least one month for consideration before funds are needed
• Provide detailed budget showing matching funds and other funding sources

Decision Timeline

Scholarships:

• Shareholder verification: Up to 3 business days for first-time applicants
• Competitive Awards: Applications must be received by May 15; notification timeline not publicly specified
• Full-Time and Part-Time Awards: First-come, first-served basis; processed as received until funds exhausted
• Deadlines: March 15 (summer semester), May 15 (fall semester), November 15 (spring semester)

Daaga' Award:

• Rolling review year-round
• Allow at least one month for consideration
• Depending on proposals received, awards may not always be funded for full amount requested

Success Rates

Quantitative Data:

• In 2024: 469 students received awards totaling $2 million
• Competitive Awards: 25 scholarships awarded annually (totaling $243,000)
• Since 1989: More than $16.7 million awarded to 18,215 students
• Historical data: More than 750 scholarships and 607 grants in a recent year (specific year not stated)

Success rate percentage: Not publicly disclosed. The Foundation does not publish the total number of applications received, making it impossible to calculate acceptance rates.

Reapplication Policy

Competitive Scholarship Recipients:

• Must reapply by November 15 deadline for spring semester funding continuation
• Can reapply annually if continuing education

General Reapplication:

• Students can apply each semester for Full-Time and Part-Time Awards
• No waiting period specified for unsuccessful applicants
• First-come, first-served awards available each semester cycle

Application Success Factors

Critical Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be enrolled Doyon, Limited shareholder OR child of original enrollee - this is non-negotiable
• Gifted or inherited shares do not qualify
• For children of original enrollees: must provide certified birth certificate
• Maintain minimum GPA: 2.0 (undergrad), 3.0 (graduate/master's), 3.25 (specialist/doctorate)

Application Completeness:

• Late and incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered - this is strictly enforced
• Apply early for first-come, first-served awards
• Ensure all required documents are submitted: official transcripts, proof of enrollment, class schedule
• Account for 3-day verification period when planning submission

For Competitive Awards:

• Additional application requirements beyond basic awards
• Independent committee reviews and scores applications
• Competition for 25 awards annually

For Daaga' Award:

• Evidence of matching funds strengthens applications
• Provide detailed budget showing all funding sources
• Demonstrate alignment with Daaga' values: healing through local people, traditional values, spiritual/social/economic integration
• Focus on projects promoting healthy, clean, sober communities
• Consider Daaga' as supplemental funding, not sole source

Strategic Timing:

• Apply as early as possible for first-come, first-served awards (funds can be exhausted)
• Submit Competitive Award applications well before May 15 deadline
• For Daaga' Award: allow at least one month before funds needed

Documentation Best Practices:

• Official transcripts must be sent directly from institution
• Provide comprehensive proof of enrollment including degree program and field of study
• For Daaga' Award: detailed budget demonstrates project planning and sustainability

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Eligibility is strictly limited to Doyon, Limited enrolled shareholders and children of original enrollees - no exceptions for gifted/inherited shares; verify eligibility before investing time in application
• First-come, first-served awards favor early applicants; funds can be exhausted before deadlines
• Application completeness is critical - late or incomplete applications are automatically rejected without review
• For competitive scholarships, only 25 are awarded annually from entire applicant pool; strong academic record (higher GPAs) and complete applications are essential
• For Daaga' Award grants, demonstrating matching funds and detailed budgets significantly strengthens applications; think of it as supplemental support
• Account for processing time: shareholder verification takes up to 3 business days; Daaga' Award needs one month minimum review time
• The Foundation values giving back - Executive Director Pitka-Jenkins herself was a scholarship recipient, demonstrating the Foundation's commitment to supporting future generations of shareholders

References

1. Doyon Foundation Official Website - https://doyonfoundation.com - Accessed February 4, 2026
2. Doyon Foundation About Us Page - https://doyonfoundation.com/about-us/ - Accessed February 4, 2026
3. Doyon Foundation Scholarships Overview - https://doyonfoundation.com/scholarships/ - Accessed February 4, 2026
4. Doyon Foundation Workforce Development - https://doyonfoundation.com/workforce/ - Accessed February 4, 2026
5. Doyon, Limited Shareholder Funding Information - https://www.doyon.com/shareholders/funding/ - Accessed February 4, 2026
6. Doyon Daaga' Award Program - https://www.doyon.com/daaga-award/ - Accessed February 4, 2026
7. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Doyon Foundation (EIN 94-3089624) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943089624 - Accessed February 4, 2026
8. Cause IQ Doyon Foundation Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/doyon-foundation,943089624/ - Accessed February 4, 2026
9. "Doyon Foundation Announces New Executive Director" - Doyon Foundation News, October 2022 - https://doyonfoundation.com/2022/10/doyon-foundation-announces-new-executive-director-3/ - Accessed February 4, 2026
10. Doyon, Limited Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doyon,_Limited - Accessed February 4, 2026
11. Doyon Foundation Language Programs - https://doyonfoundation.com/language-programs/ - Accessed February 4, 2026

Key Quotes Sources:

• Mariah Pitka-Jenkins quote about being humbled to serve: Doyon Foundation Executive Director announcement, October 2022
• Mariah Pitka quote about language preservation: Doyon Foundation language initiative news
• Mission statement: Doyon Foundation About Us page, accessed February 4, 2026