Boosting Support: Alaska Airlines donates nearly $150,000 to nonprofits in Alaska, Hawaii and Washington

New mid-year grants will support local youth and education efforts

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Jul 25, 2016, 11:00 ET

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alaska Airlines Foundation has awarded $145,000 in grants to 12 nonprofit organizations throughout the states of Alaska, Hawaii and Washington. This is the first time the Alaska Airlines Foundation is adding a mid-year grant to complement its traditional end of year cycle.

For nearly 20 years, the Alaska Airlines Foundation has distributed cash grants to locally-based nonprofit organizations that support youth, work-force development and educational efforts. The Foundation grants supplement the company's corporate giving program that donated over $11 million in cash and in-kind gifts in 2015.

In the first half of 2016, grants were made to 12 nonprofits, including the following:

Covenant House Alaska – CHA is the largest provider of services to homeless, runaway and trafficked youth in Alaska. This grant will provide funding for CHA's school-to-work transition program designed to keep students in school through graduation and help them transition into the workplace in quality jobs.

Friends of Hawaii Robotics – Friends of Hawaii Robotics operates FIRST robotics programs throughout Hawaii. Over 8,000 students currently participate in the program, which exposes them to real-world problem-solving and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) applications.

Washington's Environmental Science Center – THE ESC's Science Literacy: Let Nature Teach program will engage K-12^th grade students in studying ocean habitat. Program participants include students of low-income and racially diverse backgrounds within the South King County area, ensuring that all students and citizens have access to quality environmental education.

"The Alaska Airlines Foundation is committed to investing in our communities," said board chair Joe Sprague. "These organizations are working hard to make sure that today's youth have the skills and knowledge needed for tomorrow's environment."

The Alaska Airlines Foundation was established in 1998 as a 501 c (3) private foundation as a way to supplement Alaska Airlines' overall corporate giving program by providing cash grants to public charities in Alaska, Hawaii and Washington. Grants typically focus on educational and workforce development efforts that serve a unique need or value to a community.

Eligible nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit a letter of inquiry by Sept. 15, 2016, for consideration in November.

Alaska Airlines, together with its regional partners, flies 32 million customers a year to more than 110 cities with an average of 970 daily flights throughout the United States, including Hawaii, Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico. With Alaska's 17 global airline partners, customers can earn and redeem miles to more than 800 destinations worldwide. Onboard, customers are invited to make the most of their flight with amenities like power outlets at every seat, streaming entertainment direct to your device, Wi-Fi and an inspired food and beverage selection featured on most flights. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for nine consecutive years from 2008 to 2016. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report for the last three consecutive years. Alaska Airlines is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). Learn more on the airline's newsroom, blog, alaskaair.com, @AlaskaAir, facebook.com/alaskaairlines and linkedin.com/company/alaska-airlines.