Alaska Airlines Foundation Accepting Grant Request Applications for 2016 Funding

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, March 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alaska Airlines Foundation is currently accepting grant request applications from non-profits in the states of Alaska, Washington and Hawaii. The deadline for mid-year consideration is April 15, 2016.

Each year the Alaska Airlines Foundation distributes cash grants to support youth and educational efforts in the states of Alaska, Washington and Hawaii. In 2015, the Alaska Airlines Foundation gave a record $250,000 to twenty non-profits in these areas, including the following:

• CHOICES Education Group – Based in Seattle, CHOICES provides an interactive decision making workshop that focuses on empowering teens to achieve academic success in pursuit of their career and life aspirations.
• Sitka Sound Science Center – The SSSC provides science education programs in the community of Sitka, Alaska, engaging youth in fun, hands-on learning experiences and exposing them to a variety of scientific disciplines and potential careers.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii – Big Brothers Big Sisters' youth mentoring program pairs more than 1,400 at-risk youth with volunteer mentors throughout the state of Hawaii. These mentors help children avoid risky behavior, achieve educational success and develop higher aspirations and hope for their futures.

"The Alaska Airlines Foundation stands firm in our commitment to youth, educational, and workforce development opportunities in Alaska, Washington and Hawaii," said Tim Thompson, Alaska Airlines Foundation's executive director. "This year, we are offering two grant cycles in order to meet the needs of those non-profits supporting our communities. This expanded giving period allows us to provide grants to agencies in a timelier manner."

The Alaska Airlines Foundation was established in 1998 as a 501 c (3) private foundation as a way to supplement the Alaska Airlines' overall corporate giving program by providing cash grants to public charities in Alaska, Hawaii and Washington. In addition to the Alaska Airlines Foundation's donation in 2015, Alaska Airlines contributed $11.9 million in monetary and in-kind donations to nonprofits across its route network.

The Alaska Airlines Foundation approves grants twice per year. Letters of inquiry must be received by April 15 for mid-year consideration and by September 15 for consideration before the end of the calendar year. More information on the Alaska Airlines Foundation and how to apply for grants can be found at https://www.alaskaair.com/content/about-us/social-responsibility/alaska-airlines-foundation.aspx.

Editor's note: Download photos of 2015 grant recipient check presentations at http://alaskasworld.com/newsroom/ASNews/photos_temp.asp.

About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves more than 100 cities through an expansive network in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for eight consecutive years from 2008 to 2015. Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power 2014 and 2015 Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines