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Foundation Awards $8.4M to Alaska organizations

Total dollars granted highest since economic downturn

December 2, 2011 – Rasmuson Foundation's Board of Directors met this week in Anchorage and awarded $8,356,282 in Tier II grants and investments for nonprofit projects in communities that stretch from Ketchikan to Togiak.

The dollar amount of awards made at the board meeting is the highest since July 2008 and reflects a moderate rebound in the assets available for new projects.

"We are thrilled with this announcement," said Diane Kaplan, president of Rasmuson Foundation. "It's taken a few years, but through planning and careful management of our funds, we are able to increase the amount of support we can provide to important community organizations.

"If things stay on course with the markets and the economy, the Foundation will be positioned to provide funding opportunities at levels higher than we've seen in the past couple of years," she added.

The projects receiving funding include:

Anchorage/Girdwood

• Alaska Botanical Garden (Anchorage) was awarded $337,000 to complete its East Garden.
• Institute of the North (Anchorage) was awarded $100,000 to produce the film "Alaska, the World and Wally Hickel."
• The Great Land Trust (Anchorage) was awarded $100,000 for development of the of Campbell Creek Estuary's infrastructure.
• Covenant House Alaska (Anchorage) was awarded $1,000,000 for the construction of a new Community Services and Crisis Center.
• Southcentral Foundation (Anchorage) was awarded $395,000 to construct an auditorium for the Family Wellness Warriors Initiative to increase its program capacity.
• Volunteers of America – Alaska (Anchorage) was awarded $350,000 to construct an affordable, multi-family housing property.
• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Girdwood) was awarded $200,000 to construct a wildlife shelter and intern housing complex.

Fairbanks

• University of Alaska Museum of the North (Fairbanks) was awarded $100,000 to purchase modular shelving and art racks for its Fine Art Collection.
• Retirement Community of Fairbanks (Fairbanks) was awarded $200,000 to purchase and install commercial kitchen equipment for the new Raven Landing Community Center.
• Tanana Chiefs Conference (Fairbanks) was awarded $450,000 to purchase a facility for housing chronically homeless alcoholics and medical patients traveling to Fairbanks for care.

Southeast

• Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (Juneau/Hoonah) was awarded $350,000 for construction of a new health clinic in Hoonah.
• Community Connections (Ketchikan) was awarded $395,000 to purchase and renovate a new office building that will consolidate their program services and operations.
• The Municipality of Skagway (Skagway) was awarded $100,000 to renovate and expand the Skagway Public Library.
• Wrangell Cooperative Association (Wrangell) was awarded $450,000 to renovate the Chief Shakes Tribal House.

Prince William Sound

• Alaska Sealife Center (Seward) was awarded $200,000 for an Alaska-based marine debris expedition and art exhibition in collaboration with the Anchorage Museum.

Kenai Peninsula

• Seldovia Village Tribe (Seldovia) was awarded $280,000 to construct a wellness center in Homer.

Bristol Bay

• The City of Togiak (Togiak) was awarded $354,282 to renovate Togiak's old school building for use as a community learning center and library.

Mat-Su

• Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults (Wasilla) was awarded $495,000 to construct a new services and operations facility.

These grant awards were made from Rasmuson Foundation's Tier 2 program, which supports large capital (building) projects, projects of demonstrable strategic importance or innovative nature, or the expansion or start-up of innovative programs that address issues of broad community or statewide significance. The Board of Directors considers Tier 2 grants, which are more than $25,000, twice a year at its board meetings. Letters of inquiry are required and accepted year-round.

In addition to the Tier 2 awards, the Foundation allocated $2 million to support an ongoing philanthropy initiative, and $500,000 for costs associated with program related investments.

About the Foundation
The Rasmuson Foundation was created in May 1955 by Jenny Rasmuson to honor her late husband "E.A." Rasmuson. Through grantmaking and initiatives, the Foundation is a catalyst to promote a better life for all Alaskans.