Help us save Inspiring Girls* Expeditions Alaska 2025!
Two weeks ago, one of our program’s largest supporters cut off our funding because of the White House’s executive orders against diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Their support would have provided the bulk of the costs for our Girls* on Ice Alaska expedition and salaries for our year-round staff through 2028. We are heartbroken by this huge financial loss and angry at the attempts to erase programs that support girls* in field science and the outdoors.
Though our funding has been taken away, we are determined to host both Girls* on Ice Alaska and Girls* on Water this summer as planned. We know that women and people of marginalized genders remain underrepresented in and are often excluded from fully participating in field science and outdoor spaces. We also know that our programs make a difference: in a recent survey of alumni who have participated in Inspiring Girls* Expeditions Alaska between 2012-2022, 55% said they went on to pursue a major or career in STEM, with three-quarters of those alumni specifically reporting that our program influenced their path. Beyond introducing youth to science and outdoor careers, our programs also build leadership skills and foster lifelong friendships and social connections.
How can you help? Our goal is to raise $36,000 by April 1, 2025 to ensure we can host both Girls* on Ice Alaska and Girls* on Water this summer. Participants do not pay anything to join our programs beyond a small contribution towards their travel expenses to and from Fairbanks. We are tuition-free because cost is a huge barrier to many youth participating in programs like ours; three-quarters of our alumni said that the expedition being tuition-free was an important reason or their main reason for participating. Raising $36,000 for our expeditions will help us cover food, gear, supplies, transportation, and instructor salaries to support nine participants on our Girls* on Ice Alaska expedition for 12 days on Gulkana Glacier in the Eastern Alaska Range. The good news is that since January 30th, we have already raised $6,720 from our amazing community! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support
Help us fill our water bottle for Inspiring Girls* Expeditions Alaska! We will be sharing our fundraising efforts on social media with this graphic. Stay up-to-date with our progress and share our goal with your friends and family!
Here’s how you can help us:
Donate! Every gift from $5 to $500 (or more!) helps us reach our goal of $36,000 to host both of our expeditions this summer. (Important note: When donating, please specify that your gift is for “Inspiring Girls Expeditions” to ensure it is processed accurately!)
Tell your friends and family! Share our story with people you know who might be interested in helping us reach our goal, and let them know why you donated. Check out our toolkit and shareable materials here!
Engage with our posts on social media! Every comment, share, and like on our posts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn helps our fundraiser gain visibility.
Thank you for supporting our program!!
Sincerely,
Inspiring Girls* Expeditions Alaska Team
(Joanna, Sarah, Kara)
*We welcome cisgender girls and transgender, agender, Two Spirit, nonbinary, intersex, and genderqueer youth, and youth who demonstrate allyship with these communities.
