Building for a More Abundant Alaska

Hello Friends,

In this month's newsletter, you'll find work rooted in Alaska’s abundance and built for the long term. Tribes and scientists gather to build a shared understanding of the Chilkat Valley. Cordova’s decade-long bet on hydropower. A new analysis asking whether federal land policy can do more for the climate. Taken together, they point to the same goal: Alaskans building genuine independence and resilience.

The Alaska Venture Fund Team

Alaska Venture Fund - News & Views

Updates, stories and perspectives that inspire our work.

Reflections from the Chilkat Biodiversity Forum

The Chilkat Valley is home to all five Pacific salmon species and the world’s largest congregation of bald eagles, as well as being a cultural cornerstone for the Chilkat and Chilkoot people. This spring, Tribal citizens and staff joined scientists, researchers, conservation groups and seasonal guides in Haines for the first-ever Chilkat Valley Biodiversity Forum. Bringing together Indigenous knowledge and Western science, the forum grounded the valley both as a place of rich biodiversity and a living system with deep roots and relationships.

Our colleagues Dr. Natalie Dawson, Shawna Hotch and Bill Kane reflect on the gathering and a new small grants program, launched alongside the forum and already funding local biodiversity research.

Stewarding Alaska's Largest Lake—And Millions of Salmon

Indigenous Guardians programs are taking root across the United States, including in Alaska. The Bristol Bay Guardians brings that knowledge to work building regional resilience and opportunity through partnerships led by the people who know these places best. “This isn't the middle of nowhere,” says founding member Mary Hostetter. “This is the middle of my everywhere.”

Rural Utility, Global Market:
How Cordova’s Renewable Bet Is Paying Off

For Cordova, an islanded community where business margins are tight and household costs are high, a spike in diesel prices or a weather-related outage can be deeply disruptive. Cordova Electric Cooperative, the community’s member-owned utility, has spent years responding to that reality by investing steadily in hydropower and energy storage. As former AVF Alaska Fellow Simran Bhathal writes, these investments in clean energy are paying off in a big way for Cordova’s communities and businesses.

New Report: Managing Alaska’s Federal
Public Lands for Climate Benefit

Alaska holds an outsized amount of the nation’s carbon stores in its federal public lands. How these millions of acres are managed is critical to mitigating climate impacts. Yet federal agencies currently operate without a clear framework directing them to prioritize climate benefits. During her fellowship at AVF, Maggie Bryan undertook research on one of the most consequential questions in Alaska land policy: how can existing federal law be used to manage public lands for climate benefit. Read the Report.

Welcoming Matt Newman

We are excited to welcome Matt Newman as AVF’s Senior Advisor for Tribal Law and Policy. Matt brings a decade of work as staff attorney at the Alaska office of the Native American Rights Fund, where he represented tribal clients in major campaigns. He grew up in interior Alaska and has worked alongside our team for many years. His passion for defending the rights of Tribes and Indigenous communities is grounded in both deep legal expertise and lived experience. We're thrilled to have him join us.

In Case You Missed It

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In honor of a Southeast Alaska community leader, nonprofits in Southeast Alaska are collaborating to support recreation and restoration projects across the region. AVF is proud to be supporting the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition’s habitat restoration projects as part of this work, and provided them with a $50K contribution to help them realize their 2026 goals. [Juneau Independent]

◊	Alaska Native voters represent one of Alaska’s most powerful voting blocs. As voting turnout has declined, a Native-led group is working to boost Alaska Native participation. [Alaska Beacon]

◊	Annual drone trainings in Kwinhagak bridge traditional ecological knowledge and aerial tech to support resource management, safety and workforce development. [KYUK]

◊	FEMA has announced its plans to provide disaster-mitigation funding for four Alaska communities, including $1.2M for the Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan. [KHNS]

◊	Southcentral Alaska Tribes are partnering with the USDA to advance agriculture and mariculture projects and improve access to local foods. [Alaska Public Media]

Community Spotlight: Klukwan

Klukwan (Tlákw Áan) sits on the Chilkat River, 22 miles northwest of Haines. It's home to the Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan, one of the communities we've partnered with as part of our long-term, place-based investment strategy. In this video, Shawna Hotch, AVF’s Indigenous Networks Coordinator and Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan Tribal council member, takes you on a tour of the community she loves and calls home.

Watch Video

Alaska Ven‌ture Fu‌nd
Denali Tower North
2‌5‌5‌0 Denali Street
Suite 7‌2‌3
Anchorage, Alaska ‌99503‌

Alaska Venture Fund is a project of the New Venture Fund. New Venture Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

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