Alaska Wilderness League’s late executive director, Adam Kolton, was deeply inspired not only by wild Alaska landscapes, but also by the Alaskans that call the state home. To help honor Adam’s passion for storytelling, the League has established a new grant program — the Adam Kolton Alaska Storytelling Grant — aimed at elevating authentic Alaskan stories outside the state, so that others may also be inspired to protect Alaska’s wildest lands and waters.
This newly established program is directly supported by the Adam Kolton Memorial Fund, created in recognition of Adam’s tenacious leadership. Learn more and contribute to the Fund here.
Overview
Alaska Wilderness League will award one grant annually in the fall, ranging from $5,000 to 20,000, to an individual that seeks financial support to share their Alaskan story. An awarded project will take numerous shapes, from works of art, to videos, writings, and even in person performances or interactions. The grant award will support the numerous funding needs associated with telling a story for all to hear, including a person’s time, travel, equipment and more.
On top of financial support toward its creation, this grant program will offer a partnership with Alaska Wilderness League to help elevate the story that is supported by the grant. Alaska Wilderness League — the organization Adam led until his passing in 2021 — works to bridge the gap between Alaska and Washington, D.C., with a special focus on the authentic elevation of Alaska issues nationally. When the grant is awarded, it will include a pledge to elevate the story where it can make a difference, in a manner co-created and in partnership with the storyteller.
An application process will be unveiled in 2022. The first grant recipient will be selected in fall of that same year.
To learn more about this grant, or to be notified when applications will be expected, please email info@alaskawild.org.
