2025 Explore Fairbanks Golden Heart Giving Sponsorship Program Overview

The Explore Fairbanks Golden Heart Giving Sponsorship Program is designed to allow nonprofits, businesses and individuals within the Fairbanks North Star Borough to apply for funding for projects, events and activities that align with the following primary objectives:

1. Improve the quality of life for the residents of Fairbanks.
2. Enhance the visitor experience and strengthen Fairbanks as a destination.
3. Support innovative ideas fostering community engagement and development.

To help create this impact, the Explore Fairbanks Community Engagement Committee has at its disposal $100,000 to support the program. There will be one funding cycle with sponsorship awards not exceeding a $10,000 limit per applicant.

Successful applicants will receive their funding in early September and will have 12 months upon receipt of the funds to expend them, with any unused funds returned to Explore Fairbanks.

Examples of eligible initiatives could include, but not limited to, any of the following:

• Community festivals or cultural events that celebrate local heritage, traditions, or the arts.
• Public art installations (e.g., murals, sculptures) that beautify community spaces and promote local identity.
• Educational programs or workshops that highlight Fairbanks’ history, Indigenous cultures, or natural environment.
• Seasonal or special events that draw visitors during the shoulder season months of September-October and April-May when there is less visitor volume.
• Interactive exhibits or enhancements to existing attractions that make them more engaging for both residents and tourists.
• Visitor information tools or resources, such as self-guided tour apps or wayfinding signage in popular areas.
• Youth engagement initiatives tied to tourism, culture, or civic pride (e.g., student-led tourism ambassador programs).
• Collaborative projects between nonprofits and tourism businesses that highlight Fairbanks’ culture.
• Accessibility improvements to community venues that make them more welcoming to all residents and visitors with diverse abilities and backgrounds.
• Initiatives that support sustainable tourism practices or promote environmental stewardship in visitor-facing areas.

Application Process

Interested applicants must submit all of the items indicated under Section II of the Program Application Process and Form.

Eligibility

This RFP is open to:

• Non-profit organizations.
• For-profit businesses.
• Individual applicants.

Requests for the following will not be considered for funding: loans, deficits, debt reduction, endowments, scholarships, or activities that are not open to all participants.

Employees of Explore Fairbanks as well as current members of the Explore Fairbanks Board of Directors and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply for funding.

Criteria for Selection

The committee will allocate funds based on the merit of proposals and adherence to the above outlined criteria.

• Community Engagement Committee reviewers will first look to see that all the information has been provided in order to be eligible for scoring. Original applications that are not complete will not be considered for funding.
• There will be no opportunity for applicants to ask questions or add new or additional information to their proposals once the applications are submitted.
• No promotional items such as pens, bags or trinkets should be included with the application.
• All successful applicants awarded funds will be required to report on expenditures with supporting documents to Explore Fairbanks at the end of the funding cycle along with a short narrative of the positive impacts achieved through the award. Expenditures submitted under the signed agreement may not be submitted to another party for funds. A select number of applicants may be asked to give a brief presentation on their outcome at an Explore Fairbanks partnership event.

Timeline

• June 30, 2025: Program goes live
• August 1, 2025 @ 5pm: Deadline for submission of proposals
• August 4-15, 2025: EF Community Engagement committee reviews and scores proposals
• August 25, 2025: EF Finance and Planning committee reviews Community Engagement committee recommendations and approves forwarding to the EF Board of Directors
• August 27, 2025: EF Board of Directors approves recommendations
• August 28-29, 2025: All applicants notified of decision
• September 5, 2025: Funds dispersed 

Upon receipt of funds, applicants will have 12 months to spend.

Contact Information

For questions or to submit your proposal, please contact Charity Gadapee at cgadapee@explorefairbanks.com or calling (907) 459-3758.

We look forward to partnering with creative and dedicated individuals and organizations to elevate Fairbanks as an extraordinary place to live, work, and visit!

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