Autumn Update
October 2026
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Trust Improving Lives Conference
A big thanks to the more than 400 partners and beneficiaries who joined us for the 2026 Trust Improving Lives conference in Anchorage last month. The event was a huge success, featuring 28 presentations including keynote addresses, plenary panels and numerous breakout sessions.
The conference also created great opportunities to network, share ideas, and get energized around the essential work of improving the lives and health outcomes of Trust beneficiaries. To review conference presentations and a photo gallery, visit: improvinglivesalaska.org.
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Final Weeks!
Fall Land Sale Auction
Have you perused the parcels available for bid in this year's Trust Fall Land Sale Auction? It's not too late! Bids are due by 4:30PM AKST on Monday, November 16.
This year's sale includes parcels both on and off the road system, as well as some waterfront offerings. Visit our webpage to learn more about the parcels and how to place a bid. All revenues generated from the sale of Trust lands help support Trust grantmaking and work on behalf of beneficiaries.
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$3.6M in Trust Grant Awards Announced
Our Board of Trustees approved $3.6M in grants to beneficiary-serving organizations in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027. Trust grants are awarded quarterly to Alaska nonprofits, Tribal entities, government agencies, and service providers that serve Trust beneficiaries.
From Mary Wilson, MD, our CEO, “each of these Trust grants represent an investment in stronger, more responsive systems of care for Trust beneficiaries. By supporting partners who are innovating, building capacity, and strengthening our workforce, we’re helping ensure that Trust beneficiaries can access the resources they need to thrive."
You can learn more about each grant award in our latest report, linked below.
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The Trust
Strategic Plan
New Priority webpage are
now live!
Interested in learning more about the type of beneficiary programs and services supported by the Trust's priorities defined in our strategic plan? Take a look at our new webpages devoted to each.
Trust priority areas:
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Crisis Now Video
Since 2018, the Trust has been working with partners across Alaska to improve behavioral health crisis response. We're grateful to all of the organizations that are helping ensure that Alaskans in crisis get the right care, in the right setting, when they need it.
While there remains work ahead, let's celebrate how for we've come in implementing enhanced and new behavioral health crisis services in Alaska. To learn more about this work, or find out how your community can get involved, visit: alaskamentalhealthtrust.org/crisisnow.
Watch The New Video
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Trust Land Office & Fort Knox
A portion of the Fort Knox Gold mine near Fairbanks, operated by Kinross through Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc., sits on Trust lands; and these lands continue to be one of the Trust's most significant revenue-generating mineral assets. In the last fiscal year, the Trust received a royalty payment of approximately $6.4 million attributable to calendar year 2025 operations, subject to future audit and reconciliation. This revenue joins the more than $35M to-date in revenues for the Trust generated by royalties from Fort Knox production.
Looking ahead, the Trust Land Office is actively working with Kinross on lands authorizations to support the mine's infrastructure improvements, increased operational capacity, and potential mine-life extensions in response to favorable gold market conditions. We appreciate our long-standing partnership with Kinross and look forward to future revenues to support our work on behalf of Trust beneficiaries.
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Partner Highlight:
Northern Hope Center
Noelle is an employment specialist at the Northern Hope Center in Fairbanks, a Trust partner organization which provides adults across Interior Alaska with peer support, case management, and recovery services. Noelle knows that for individuals experience a mental illness, a job goes a long way in breaking down stigma, building confidence, and instilling a sense of community. We appreciate partners like Northern Hope Center and Noelle for all they are doing to connect Trust beneficiaries to employment opportunities that support meaningful engagement and independence, and reduce isolation.
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The Trust on Line One
This month our COO Katie Baldwin Johnson had the chance to participate in Alaska Public Media's "Line One: Your Health Connection" radio call in show along with partners from the Anchorage Fire Department and Providence Alaska to discuss advances in crisis response and services in the state.
Learn more about the program and listen HERE.
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ADRD Awareness Makes a Difference
November is Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) Awareness Month. Because early detection can help improve long term ADRD outcomes, now is a great time to familiarize yourself with some common ADRD symptoms.
A little forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, but some changes may signal something more. Early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia can include memory loss that disrupts daily life, difficulty completing familiar tasks, confusion about time or place, and changes in mood or personality. Recognizing these signs early can help individuals and families seek support and plan for the future.
Concerned about yourself or someone you love?
Talk with a healthcare provider. Early conversations can make a difference.
Learn more about ADRD Resources in Alaska
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Get the Latest with the Our Crisis Initiative
Our October 2026 Implementation update offers the latest news and highlights from efforts to improve behavioral health crisis response in Alaska.
This initiative continues to be a priority for the Trust. Through our and partners' coordinated investments we are helping communities reduce reliance on emergency departments and law enforcement for psychiatric crises while improving access to timely, compassionate behavioral health support.
Read our Implementation Update
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Trust Advisor Surveys
Our partners at the Alaska Commission on Aging is soliciting feedback to support the development of the State Plan for Senior Services. If you are 55 or older, please complete their survey for individuals. The commission also wants to hear from representatives of organizations that serve seniors and elders - if that's you, please complete the survey for providers.
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Upcoming Trust Meetings
The Board of Trustees will hold its next regular meeting November 18-19, 2026, in Anchorage. All regular board meetings are open to the public and include an opportunity for public comment, which can be provided in person, virtually, or in writing. We'd love to hear from you!
Visit our website for more information about upcoming trustee meetings.
Sign Up HERE for Trust meeting notifications
Trust Partner Boards
To stay up-to-date on issues important to Trust beneficiaries and those who care for them, you can also tune in to the meetings of our statutory partner advisory boards:
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Grant Opportunity Report
Twice a month, the Trust posts a new Grant Opportunity Report on our Grant Proposal Development Resources webpage. In addition to serving as a grant-maker ourselves, the Trust also supports beneficiary-serving agencies in pursuing other grant funding.
The bi-weekly Opportunity Reports detail a curated list of grant funding opportunities, including forecasted opportunities, that intersect with Trust beneficiary populations. The reports are intended to serve as a resource for Trust partners.
The latest report was posted on October 23, 2026 - take a look!
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