As many of you know, disruptions to federal funding and the federal workforce have created unprecedented challenges for nonprofits like ours and the partners we work alongside. Though the pace of change has been rapid and continues to evolve, I’d like to share some updates about KMTA’s current outlook.
Since the federal funding freeze first took effect, we lost all of our appropriated funding and subsequently regained access to about half of it. The status of our remaining funds is unclear. We are now bracing for the possibility of a significant or complete loss of future federal support, including grants, contracts and appropriations.
Compounding this uncertainty, several of our open privately funded, non-federal grants are now under review for alignment with recent Executive Orders. If deemed out of compliance, these grants may be terminated, and we could be required to return funds we have already allocated to vital community programs.
We are simultaneously navigating the impacts of federal workforce reductions. KMTA operates through a highly effective public-private partnership model that relies on federal volunteers and agency partners to make our programs possible. Without them, our planned initiatives are now at risk. This includes our year-round education initiatives that serve more than 1,000 children from Anchorage to Seward, annual events that engage nearly 400 people, and key partnership projects in trail maintenance, environmental stewardship, and cultural interpretation. In response, we are actively adjusting our operating plans to adapt our programs and services so that we can continue serving our communities to the best of our ability.
Despite these challenges, our commitment to our mission remains unwavering. This National Heritage Area is more than just a designation—it is a living connection to our region’s history, culture, and landscapes. It is a shared legacy that belongs to all of us.
Our education programs are not just field trips—they offer youth rare opportunities to connect with Alaska’s rich heritage and develop a sense of belonging to the lands that have shaped generations before them. They connect kids with caring adults whose identities reflect their own, who see their potential, and who help them envision a future for themselves in Alaska.
Our events are not just races and gatherings—they are powerful moments of community building. They create space for people of all ages to celebrate the unique stories of this region, support one another, and strengthen their connection to each other and the communities they call home.
Our partnerships aren’t just transactions. They are relationships and friendships. They are the fabric of our communities: teachers, neighbors, schools, federal workers, local businesses, tribal leaders, beloved community members.
For over 15 years, we’ve worked quietly behind the scenes, investing over $1.5 million into this region and the people who call it home. We are proud of what we’ve built, and we’ve long known that our next chapter needed to focus on sustainability. Our newly developed five-year plan was designed to strategically diversify our revenue sources, but now we will have to accelerate that work at an unprecedented pace.
We will continue to keep you informed as we navigate this dynamic situation.
At this critical moment, we ask for your support:
Send a letter to our congressional delegation using this template advocating for KMTA.
Make a donation to help sustain our programs and operations using this link.
Your support has always been essential to our success. Now, more than ever, we need your help to ensure we can continue our work. Thank you for standing with us during this uncertain time.
With gratitude, Rachel Blakeslee Executive Director Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area
