In the Community

The Alaska Railroad has been an important part of Alaska's communities since it all began in 1915. To keep with this tradition, the Railroad donates funds to railbelt communities and organizations. We also support non-profits that enhance educational opportunities, community quality of life, economic health, community services and business development.

How to Apply

The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) focuses the majority of its charitable giving in the form of in-kind contributions. This includes rail tickets, prints and posters, used ties, used equipment and transportation services, such as freight transportation or special charters. Links to in-kind contribution forms are below.

ARRC also provides sponsorships, membership fees and other cash-based contributions to charitable and civic organizations. Such support is determined each year as part of ARRC's budget planning process.
NOTE: Cash grant program suspended indefinitely.

Donation of the Denali Business Car is administered separately. Links to Denali Car Charitable Donation Procedures and associated forms are also below.

Corporate Contribution Request Forms and Guidance Documents

GUIDANCE:

 

FORMS:

Partnering with Alaska Schools
Government Hill Elementary School Partnership

In 1995, ARRC developed a partnership with Government Hill Elementary School in Anchorage. Through this partnership, great programs have been put in place:

  • Railroad tutor program: Railroad employees tutor students in varying subjects
  • Annual Science Fair: ARRC sponsors a science fair in which both students and Railroad employees participate.
  • Annual Back-to-School Picnic: Railroad employees prepare and serve hot dogs and drinks to students, parents and teachers.

The Tour Guide Program:

The Railroad has long standing partnership arrangement with the Anchorage and Fairbanks School Districts. A hallmark of this partnership has been the Tour Guide Program through which high school students are trained each spring to become tour guides on the summer passenger trains.

The Tour Guide Program is one of the most successful school business partnerships in the nation. In fact, the Alaska Railroad was presented with an award by the National Partners in Education. The program has resulted in numerous positive letters from people all over the country that have taken the train while on a trip in Alaska. The student tour guides have received high marks for knowledge, friendliness and quality customer service. 

School Links:

Tour Guide Program Website
School Business Partnership Website
Government Hill Elementary School Website

Commemorative Art Print Program & History

Each year, the Alaska Railroad Corporation commissions an artist to produce artwork that is the basis for a limited edition print, poster and lapel pin and other gifts and materials. The annual Alaska Railroad artwork is a favorite among rail fans and Alaska art collectors. These collector's items are available for sale through the Anchorage Historic and Fairbanks depots, as well as the online Gift Shop. The Railroad typically produces 250 signed and numbered prints and 2,500 posters, along with matching lapel pins. 

2025 Commemorative Art Print Contest and Artist Selection

For 2025, ARRC commissioned its official commemorative posters & prints with artist Scott Clendaniel, which will be for sale in early January 2025. Alaska Railroad Buddies depicts some of Alaska's favorite animals aboard a GoldStar coach. For more information please visit the Art Print page.
 

Annual Art Print Contest Details - contest now closed

The 2025 Art Print Contest and Artist selection is now closed with artist Scott Clendaniel and his artwork titled Alaska Railroad Buddies selected as the winner. We anticipate opening the 2026 art print contest for submissions in late-January 2025. 

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The Alaska Railroad is seeking Alaska artists to submit their ideas for the 2025 Art Print Contest. Entries will be accepted between January 30, 2024 and April 5, 2024. The selected artist will create artwork for the 2025 art print / poster.

Information about the 2025 artwork selection process can be found below.  

The news release on artwork selection and production provides details and a schedule for the 2025 program and contest. Artist ideas must have an Alaska Railroad theme depicting an ARRC train along one of our iconic routes. 

Annually, the Alaska Railroad seeks an artist to create 2-dimensional artwork (painting, drawing, pen-and-ink, etc.) to become the basis for the next official Alaska Railroad commemorative art print and poster. The 2025 print will be the 47th since the program began in 1979 (a print was not done in 1984 and two (2) were commissioned in 2023).

Alaska artists who wish to compete in the 2025 Alaska Railroad Art Print Contest should keep these dates in mind:

  • Tuesday, January 30, 2024 – the contest entry period begins.
  • Friday, April 5, 2024 – print contest submissions must be received by 5:00 p.m.
  • Mid-April 2024 – Committee review complete; winning entry selected.
  • Late-April 2024 – Artists notified of contest results.
  • Friday, May 17, 2024 – Submissions must be retrieved by the artist (or mailed in self-addressed envelope)
  • Friday, May 24, 2024 – Submissions not retrieved will be discarded
  • Friday, Aug. 9, 2024 – Chosen artist must deliver completed artwork to the Alaska Railroad
  • November 2024 – January 2025 - Art print and poster are released for sale to the public and chosen artist participates in sale-and-signing events

The Alaska Railroad retains all and exclusive rights to the artwork, which becomes the basis for producing up to 250 signed and numbered prints, up to 3,000 posters and matching lapel pins, as well as other merchandise sold exclusively by the Alaska Railroad Gift Shop.

The artist chosen to design the annual artwork is paid $5,000, and is given 10 artist proofs and 20 posters. The artist must agree to participate in sale-and-signing events in Anchorage and in Fairbanks, typically organized in during the last quarter of the calendar year. Additional community locations may be added depending upon the subject of the artwork (travel expenses paid by the railroad).

The successful artist will be notified by telephone and by mail. The selected artist can request access to Alaska Railroad property for research purposes by contacting External Affairs Director Meghan Clemens at (907) 265-2357. Safety is of paramount concern at the Alaska Railroad, and coordination is required before entering Alaska Railroad property. The selected artist must complete the artwork by early August. Prints are typically made available to the public by early November.

Artwork that is not selected as the basis for the print will be returned to the submitting artists. In order to be returned by mail, submissions must include a self-addressed envelope. Artwork can also be retrieved in person.