Philanthropy in Alaska: businesses giving back to the community.

• Author: Barbour, Tracy
• Position: SPECIAL SECTION: PHILANTHROPY IN ALASKA

With more than 73,500 licensed businesses, Alaska has a considerable base of philanthropic resources to support its communities. These corporate citizens provide substantial financial donations for nonprofit organizations that include religious, artistic, cultural, social and recreational groups. Many Alaska businesses also donate time and other resources, which are equally as valuable to the community. Their generosity not only provides vital support for Alaska's 6,000 or so registered nonprofits, but also fosters good will that strengthens the state as a whole. This article presents only a minuscule sampling of how various businesses are giving back throughout Alaska.

GIVING BACK FINANCIALLY

One of the most common ways Alaska businesses give back to the community is by donating funds to diverse charities and worthy causes. For example, First National Bank Alaska supports a variety of Alaska-based nonprofit organizations and charitable causes in four main areas: community or public service; health and education; arts and humanities; and youth and senior citizens, according to Senior Vice President Branch Lending and Administration Division Doug Longacre.

First National donates funds, as well as volunteer hours and expertise, to many nonprofit organizations in the communities where it operates. "Our employees live in these communities," Longacre said. "They own homes, raise their families and pursue their dreams of success in Alaska communities. They are eager to help make those communities safe, healthy and friendly places to raise their families and pursue their banking careers."

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Over the past five years, the bank has given more than $5 million in cash to Alaska nonprofit organizations, with countess number of employee volunteer hours donated to civic, school and charitable causes. "First National Bank employees step up to donate their expertise as bankers, home loan professionals and fundraisers, rolling up their sleeves to work shoulder-to-shoulder with their neighbors to get the job done," Longacre said.

In particular, the bank has played a long-time leadership role in the United Way in Alaska. "We encourage our employees to donate to the United Way in their community, Longacre said. "We assign employees to help with the United Way campaign at our bank, and the bank matches employee donations made to the United Way."

Wells Fargo Bank is also an avid contributor to United Way and other nonprofits in Alaska. Recently, its team...