Biography

Matt Rafferty is a Partner at Alaska Venture Fund. He came to Alaska to explore its wild places but has stayed because of its inspiring people. With two decades of conservation experience in Alaska, Matt is currently focused on elevating issues related to Indigenous sovereignty and creating equal access to philanthropy as the moral, just, and most effective way to ensure stewardship of Alaska’s lands and waters and provide resiliency from climate change for people and the planet.

Before joining Alaska Venture Fund, Matt was the Project Director of the Alaska Engagement Partnership and Alaska Wild Salmon Fund, served as a Program Officer at the Alaska Conservation Foundation, and was the Deputy Director of the Alaska Public Radio Network. He is an Alaskan Salmon Fellow and graduate of the University of Massachusetts and Leadership Anchorage Program. An avid builder of community, Matt helped launch, grow and host Arctic Entries, a monthly storytelling event, and co-created and hosted the Borealis Bluegrass Breakdown, a weekly radio program, for 10 years.