Organizations must be actively working in Alaska. Eligible organizations will either be an established 501(c)(3) (and classified as “not a private foundation”), or a local or Tribal government. Faith-based organizations may be eligible if their project has broad community impact. For nonprofit organizations, the 501(c)(3) status must have been obtained at least one year prior to the date of application, and at least one completed fiscal year of financials should be available. Individuals are not eligible.

An organization may have only have one active Tier 2 grant at the same time as a Tier 1 grant, provided they are for different projects.  

Rasmuson Foundation does not fund organizations that discriminate against any individual or class or individuals based upon any characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law. 

Tier 2 grants support capital projects, programs of strategic importance, and innovative solutions to issues of community or statewide significance. Examples of projects: 

• Construction, renovation, and furnishings 
• Large-scale creative works  
• Buildings, equipment, and vehicles  
• Historic preservation  
• Pilot projects or program expansion 
• Some types of match funding 

Labor, shipping, installation, pre-development, and other costs should be included in project proposal budgets, to give a clear picture of the project scope.  

We generally do not fund projects associated with core government functions such as roads, utilities, and public safety, K-12 education, deficits or debt reduction, endowments or scholarships, fundraising events or sponsorships, and reimbursement for items already purchased.

Pre-applications, known as a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), are accepted year-round and reviewed in two annual cycles.

Please note that after receipt of a LOI, select organizations will be invited to present a full proposal. The completeness of the submitted materials, applicant responsiveness, project readiness, and the Foundation’s grantmaking capacity directly impact the timeline for consideration.

Applications are evaluated on criteria including but not limited to the organization’s track record, fiscal and management capacity, an active board and experienced staff, sources of financial support, project readiness, sustainability, and the project benefit to the organization and the community it serves. The Foundation places a priority on organizations in which all board members contribute financially. This expectation does not apply to local governments including tribal governments.

Site visits are required for full Tier 2 proposals and typically involve key staff and board members from the applicant organization. A site visit provides Foundation staff the opportunity to meet with an applicant to discuss the proposal in-depth. It also gives Foundation staff the opportunity to view the applicant’s facility or location for future developments.

The Foundation is rarely the first, the largest, or the only contributor to any Tier 2 project. The Foundation expects the community in which the project is located will provide significant financial support.

Yes, eligible projects often require multiple funding sources. Strong proposals include community support such as individual contributions, business donations, other grants, or organizational savings. Applicants are encouraged to secure some or most of needed funding, prior to applying for a Tier 2 grant.

We support people with great ideas, projects with long-lasting benefits, and efforts that help Alaskans help others. When reviewing Tier 2 requests, we require a deep understanding of community impact, organizational capacity, financial management, community partnerships and engagement, project feasibility and sustainability, and alignment with community and state needs.  

Applying for a Tier 2 begins with a conversation with a program officer and submission of a Letter of Inquiry. Select projects will receive a request for a proposal. Pro formas, building plans, and other relevant supplemental materials may be requested for large projects. 

Invited proposals are reviewed by staff. Site visits are required and typically involve staff, board members from your organization, and, sometimes, community stakeholders. These visits provide an opportunity for deeper understanding of proposals.  

Tier 2 requests are often considered by the Foundation’s Board of Directors in June and December. The full process from the initial conversation and LOI through final review and award can take three to 12 months, depending on application completeness, responsiveness, and project readiness.

Connect with a Program Officer.