Alaska Center Education Fund (ACEF)
The Alaska Center Education Fund (ACEF) is the charitable education arm of the Alaska Center, an environmentalist advocacy group. In 2024, ACEF received a large portion of its funding from the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, 1 the League of Conservation Voters, 2 and the Unite America Institute. 3
Contents
Background
According to its tax records, the Alaska Center Education Fund was formed in 1971. 4 It is the fundraising arm to the Alaska Center, a 501(c)(4) environmental advocacy group. 5
Programs
Alaska Center Education Fund has several programs. The Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) was created in 1998 by six teenagers from Kodiak and Anchorage. The program trains teenagers through immersive programs, community campaigns, and youth-led advocacy. 6
AYEA hosts a youth organizer summit where “youth build community, learn organizing and advocacy skills, and explore climate and environmental justice issues that impact their lives and communities.” At the conclusion of the summit, the participants become AYEA organizers , leading monthly meetings and conducting campaigns. There is also a civics and conservation summit which aims to teach participants about state government and have them meet with legislators. The group sponsors various other forms of training for its members. 6
ACEF sponsors the Rise and Represent Alaska program which provides leadership training and encourages them to serve on local and state boards and commissions. 7
ACEF’s Democracy for All Alaskans program produces voter guides on Alaska elections and seeks to increase voter turnout among traditionally Democratic Party-aligned demographics such as, “youth, BIPOC communities, and those in rural and Indigenous communities.” The program also opposes voter-integrity measures and calls on the government to make it easier to vote. The program also provides information on upcoming elections, voter registration deadlines, and guides on how to vote in those elections. 8
ACEF’s Trailside Discovery Camp program was founded in 1982. The program began as a summer camp offering environmental education to children between the ages of five and 14. The program has since expanded to offer camps during winter break, spring break, and certain holidays. The program also offers an after-school camp at the Winterberry Charter School. 9
Financials
On its 2024 tax return, Alaska Center Education Fund reported $3,144,083 in revenue, $3,379,617 in expenses, and $1,234,420 in net assets. 10
Funding
In 2024, ACEF received $60,000 from the League of Conservation Voters. 11 In 2024, ACEF received $36,920 from the Alaska Conservation Foundation, 12 $80,000 from the Alaska Public Interest Research Group, 13 $155,200 from Alaska Children’s Trust, 14 $281,000 from the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, 1 and $300,000 from the Unite America Institute. 3
In 2024, ACEF generated $1,346,452 in revenue from its outdoor programs and its camps. The group also generated $928,414 in revenue from its bingo gaming programs before expenses. 10
In 2024, the ACEF sent a grant of $650,790 and an “administrative fee” of $132,500 to the Alaska Center. 10
Leadership
As of 2026, Chantel de Alcuaz was the co-executive director of the Alaska Center and the Alaska Center Education Fund. She previously worked in fundraising for Alyse Gavin’s (I-AK) campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018. 15
As of 2026, Victoria Long-Leather was the co-executive director of the Alaska Center and the Alaska Center Education Fund. She was previously a teacher before joining the group. 15
Board of Directors
As of 2026, Sarah Alvarez was the board chair of ACEF. At that time, she was a senior fundraising consultant for CCS Fundraising, a nonprofit fundraising firm. She is also a Teach for America alum. 15
As of 2026, Raegan Nicholson was the board vice chair of ACEF, a position she had held since 2024. She works in grants management at the Mat-Su Health Foundation. 15
As of 2026, Harry Need was the treasurer of the Alaska Center and ACEF. He was vice president of the South Addition Community Council and has held past leadership roles on the Fairview Community Council and with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Alaska Chapter. 15
As of 2026, Gail Cheney was a board member of ACEF. She was also a senior director of Organizational Development at Tlingit and Haida Central Council. 15
As of 2026, Becky Judd was a board member of ACEF and had been since 2021. She worked in youth development and at that time had her own business, Strength-Based Strategies. 15
As of 2026, Shayne Nuesca was a board member of ACEF. She is a communications professional. 15
As of 2026, Tolani Seabrook was a board member of ACEF. 15
Financial Statistics
Total Assets
Total Revenue
Total Expenses
| Year | Total Assets | Total Revenue | Total Expenses | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,461,445 | $3,144,083 | $3,379,617 | View |
| 2023 | $1,791,223 | $2,765,106 | $2,622,079 | View |
| 2022 | $1,648,031 | $2,681,480 | $2,767,431 | View |
| 2021 | $1,662,766 | $2,979,648 | $2,869,576 | View |
| 2020 | $1,895,689 | $2,954,225 | $2,642,375 | View |
Prior year filings: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Revenue Detail
Expenses Detail
Employee Compensation
- Number of Employees: 83
Highest Earning Employees
| Employee | Title | Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Vicki Long-Leather | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $72,492 |
| Chantal De Alcuaz | CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | $60,410 |
Grant Activity
All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:
- Total Grant Value: $14,124,233
- Number of Grants: 305
- Number of Funders: 58
Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years:
All-time grants given statistics from Candid dataset:
- Total Grant Value: $8,233,760
- Number of Grants: 13
- Number of Recipients: 3
Selection of highest value grants given from the last seven years: