Alaska News

Alaskans have already pledged $1 million from PFDs via Pick.Click.Give

Alaskans have already pledged more than $1 million from their 2013 Permanent Fund Dividends to charities through the Pick.Click.Give online donation system, the program announced on Wednesday.

Pick.Click.Give was started in 2009 as an easy way for Alaskans to share part of their PFD with the charity of their choice. Each year has seen significant gains in the number of donors and amount donated through the system.

In 2012, the program raised more than $2.2 million for nonprofits, University of Alaska campuses and community organizations from more than 23,000 people. 2012's campaign represented an increase of nearly 50 percent from 2011, with the number of donors increasing by 4,000 people and donations increasing by well over half a million dollars.

While 4.2 percent of Alaskans used the donation system in 2012, the program estimates that around 15 percent of Alaskans are "interested in sharing part of their dividend through Pick.Click.Give," said program manager Heather Beaty. So far in 2013, the participation rate is up to 4.7 percent of PFD filers.

This year there are 471 nonprofits in 48 communities across Alaska that are eligible to receive contributions through the program. All money donated through the system goes directly to charity.

Residents still have until March 31 to file their PFDs. And folks are still able to make donations after they have filed.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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