No Pick and Click, but You can Still Give!

In 2008 a new law was passed that enables Alaskans who receive the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) to directly allocate some (or all) of that dividend to their favorite Alaska charity in 2009 - some 330 non profits are now registered and eligible which is terrific, particularly given the current state of the national economy and recent declines in philanthropic endowments.

Unfortunately the Alaska SeaLife Center is not eligible to be on that list.

So why can't we pick, click and give to ASLC?


The requirements to participate in this program were set out by the Alaska Legislature in the new law and included provisions such as being a designated 501(c)(3) in AK for at least 2 years. The ASLC meets all of those requirements, except for the provision relating to Board membership - the law requires that the charity must be... "directed by a voluntary board of directors or local advisory board whose members are residents of the state". (see http://www.pickclickgive.org/)



Two of our ASLC Board members are not Alaskan residents - one, who works for an Alaskan corporation and is a regular visitor to AK, is based out of MD and the other is a senior scientist at the Monterey aquarium in CA. Both provide expertise and knowledge which is not readily available in Alaska and also serve to connect us with the larger national marine and education community which is important given the ecosystems we share. We don't think it reasonable nor advantageous to 'drop them' from our Board despite the potential attraction of being eligible for PFD funding.


So I'd ask us all to remember two things when you contemplate your own charitable giving or are discussing charitable giving with your friends and family. First, the ASLC is no less an Alaskan institution by not being on this list - our work benefits Alaskans first and foremost. Second, even though you can't give to us via the PFD online system, our fundraising team is open for business 363 days a year to explain why our work matters, what our priorities are and accepts checks, cash and online donations directly via our website!