On the evening of Wednesday, May 12, 2021 while residents of Buckland, Alaska were cooking dinner and settling in for the night, the river began to rapidly rise. Within a matter of minutes, water and ice rushed over the banks and into the community. An ice jam had formed roughly a half-mile downstream from the village, causing severe flooding that damaged homes, roads, and personal property. Even with funding from the state, the community was in need of immediate financial assistance to purchase gravel to complete repairs and ensure the health and safety of residents.

A generous donation from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to the Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation’s Climate Impact Response Fund supported a $10,000 grant to Buckland to help purchase gravel to repair homes and roads. The Climate Impact Response Fund supports Alaska Native people in rural communities during the times when they need it the most.  

As the Board of Directors and staff at the Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation (HANF) reflect on 2021, there was one theme that stood out above all others: Community. Throughout the year, HANF donors came forward repeatedly sharing a sentiment of “I want to do something to help.
And do something they did — in 2021, HANF donors did a lot to support Alaska Native people. HANF made over $900,000 in grant awards to more than 30 different projects which improved the health and wellness of the people we serve. Supporting philanthropic work occurring in your own community is a great way to make a difference. By definition, philanthropy demonstrates your “love of humankind.”
Click below to read the full 2021 Impact Report. And read about all the positive changes were made because of the collective generosity for Alaska Native people during our most recently completed fiscal year.

Sometimes, it can be the smallest acts of kindness that mean the most. Take four-year old Caius Ludwig whose face lit up when Theresa Philbrick, a nurse in Alaska Native Medical Center’s Day Surgery department, handed him a stuffed toy moose. A small gesture can make a big impact in the recovery of our youngest patients. Just like that, all his fears and anxiety were gone. Theresa says the soft, huggable toys are the best non-prescription medicine care providers have to offer. The impact of the Lori Lange Memorial Toy Fund is immediate.

4,820 TOYS DONATED

to ANMC pediatric patients, bringing comfort to 4,820 kids.