he Best Corporate Citizen category is unique in the Best of Alaska Business awards. While our readers provide all of the nominations, the final unranked winners of this category are selected by the Alaska Business editorial team. We consider the number of votes provided by our readers, as well as our knowledge of how these companies choose to support communities across Alaska through volunteer efforts, charitable programs, in-kind donations, and direct funds. This year we’re excited to share a little more about the efforts of Alaska Airlines, Matson, and Wells Fargo to enrich the everyday lives of their Alaskan neighbors.

In total, ocean transportation and logistics company Matson contributed $1.4 million in cash and in-kind services in Alaska in 2024, spread among 110 community organizations and nonprofit programs. Of that, 43 percent was cash, and the remaining 57 percent was donated services or equipment. Approximately $1 million was directed to environmental stewardship through entities such as Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling, Matson’s Caring for Alaska program, Zender Environmental Health and Research Group (in support of Backhaul Alaska), and the Prince William Sound Science Center. Other large contributions went to the Alaska SeaLife Center, Food Bank of Alaska, education programs, Covenant House Alaska, and Special Olympics Alaska.

Over the last four years, Wells Fargo’s philanthropic giving in Alaska totaled approximately $4.8 million, and Wells Fargo employees in Alaska volunteered 6,700 hours of community service. Of note in 2024, the Wells Fargo Rural Alaska Disaster Relief fund, held at the Alaska Community Foundation, awarded more than $57,000 to organizations responding to natural disasters in Southeast; the Wells Fargo Foundation issued a $200,000 grant to Housing Alaskans to alleviate Alaska’s housing shortage; and Wells Fargo issued grants to the Alaska Small Business Development Center to enhance that nonprofit’s programs and services, to Alaska Resource Education for energy education outreach, to the Alaska Federation of Natives convention, and to the American Red Cross of Alaska’s Sound the Alarm campaign.

In 2024 alone, Alaska Airlines distributed $5 million in Alaska in both cash and in-kind donations in support of nonprofits, sponsorships, business partnerships, and community-focused events or items. The Alaska Airlines Foundation focuses on supporting youth, in particular those in underserved areas in Alaska and Hawai’i. The goal of grants issued by the Alaska Airlines Foundation is to empower and engage young people in their pursuit of careers through career exploration, mentorships, critical thinking, soft skills, leadership development, job training, or advanced degree or technical certification preparation. In addition to supporting youth, Alaska Airlines prioritizes donations to nonprofits working on care and belonging, environmental sustainability, and community resiliency.

Hope Community Resources
Hotel Captain Cook
MTA
Northern Hospitality Group
Northrim Bank
Nuvision Credit Union
Odd Man Rush Brewing
PeopleAK
Progressive Physical Therapy
Providence
Rage City Vintage
Rasmuson Foundation
Santos
Shadow Mountain Locksmith
Skinny Raven Sports
STAR Alaska
The Hungry Robot
This Alaska Life
Walmart
Watterson Construction