Welcome to Chugiak Eagle River Foundation

Our History

Springing from an idea proposed in 1992, the Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce established the Chugiak-Eagle River Foundation following the community's highly successful staging of the 1996 Arctic Winter Games. Early funding for the Foundation's ambitious intentions came from a $45,000 surplus transferred to the Foundation from the Games Host Society. Substantial additional funding was provided in 2004 through a bequest from the estate of Mary Lou Briggs, pioneer of Eagle River.  In 2026, the Chugiak Eagle River Foundation (CERF) became an Affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation, which allows the foundation to focus on community impact and growing our community endowments for future generations to come.

Our Purpose

The purposes of the Foundation are to make lasting improvements to our community and its residents; to foster the tradition of neighbors helping neighbors; and to promote a healthy and productive community. Activities include provide grants to the Chugiak-Eagle River community organizations, educational scholarships, the latter a legacy of the Briggs family. Guiding the Foundation is a commitment to honesty, compassion, respect, and stewardship.  By growing our endowments, our community will have the resources to thrive now and forever.

Our Mission

The Chugiak-Eagle River Foundation, an Affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation, is dedicated to improving the quality of life and to address emerging needs in the community of Chugiak/Eagle River, Alaska by providing grants and scholarships from a permanent endowment.

Our Advisory Board

Affairs of the Foundation are advised by a board of thirteen community who solicit donations for the Chugiak Eagle River Foundation Endowments, receive and advise on applications for grants to benefit approved activities, award scholarships, and remain informed about needs within our growing community.

Link here for the Foundation By-Laws.

Contact Information 
Telephone: 907.862.0319                                                        Email: [email protected] •
Mailing address:
Chugiak Eagle River Foundation
P.O. Box 770301
Eagle River, AK 99577

The Chugiak-Eagle River Foundation is an Affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation.