National Alpaca Foundation

The National Alpaca Foundation’s Youth Impact Grant helps create meaningful learning opportunities for young people in the alpaca community.

Grant recipient Kaitlynn Alexander used her Youth Impact Grant to attend the 2026 Mazuri AOA National Alpaca Show in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she showed three alpacas in Youth Halter, participated in performance, and continued building her knowledge of alpaca care.

While at Nationals, Kaitlynn also spoke with a Mazuri feed representative and learned more about alpaca nutrition and herd health.

“This was my second time showing in Youth Halter. Showing three alpacas helped me become more confident and improve my showmanship skills,” Kaitlynn shared.

The Youth Impact Grant supports youth involvement through Alpaca Owners Association affiliate organizations, 4-H, Future Farmers of America, and alpaca-related projects that help young people gain hands-on experience, confidence, and knowledge.

Thank you, Kaitlynn, for sharing your experience with us. We are proud to support the next generation of alpaca breeders and leaders.

Learn more about the Youth Impact Grant and how you can support future opportunities for youth in the alpaca industry: www.nationalalpacafoundation.org/youth-impact-grant

The Jerry & Libby Forstner Marketing Education Fund is a new initiative through the National Alpaca Foundation dedicated to strengthening the future of alpaca marketing in America. Thanks to a generous $20,000 matching gift from Jerry and Libby Forstner, every donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar — up to $20,000 — helping create a $40,000 investment in the growth of the alpaca industry.

This fund will support marketing education, outreach, tools, and campaigns that help alpaca farms, products, and the industry reach new audiences and consumers. From promoting alpaca fiber and products to supporting industry-wide education and awareness, these efforts help build a stronger future for alpaca owners across the country.

Every gift, no matter the size, helps expand the visibility of alpacas and supports the long-term success of the industry.

Double Your Gift: https://givebutter.com/jerry-libby-forstner-matching-gift

Good news—deadline extended 🎓 The Dawn Stewart Memorial program has been extended to May 15, 2026, giving more time to support both future and current alpaca veterinarians.

🎓 $3,000 scholarship for veterinary students (2nd–4th year)
📅 New deadline: May 15, 2026

🎓 $1,500 continuing education grant for practicing veterinarians
📅 Deadline: May 15, 2026

If you know a student or veterinarian ready to grow their expertise in alpaca care, this is a meaningful opportunity to take that next step.

Learn more and apply:
www.nationalalpacafoundation.org/dawn-stewart-memorial-scholarship