More charities sign up for part of dividend

ANCHORAGE — More Alaska charities are signing up to get a piece of residents’ Permanent Fund Dividends.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reporter that nearly 390 nonprofit organizations are signed up in the state’s “Pick. Click. Give.” for 2011. That’s an increase of 6 percent from the previous year.

The program was launched in 2009 allowing taxpayers to check a box on their Permanent Fund Dividend application and divert a portion of their dividend to various charities.

Last year, about 9,500 taxpayers gave up all or part of their dividend as part of the program. Organizers are hoping to raise $1.5 million this year — an increase of 50 percent.

Alaskans could begin filing for their 2011 dividends on Saturday.