A privately funded COVID-19 relief project is being relaunched to help Alaskans through the pandemic.

AK Can Do, created near the start of the pandemic with Rasmuson Foundation support, is a partnership between United Way of Anchorage and The Alaska Community Foundation to help both individuals in need and nonprofits that provide critical services.

Two families recently made donations so that every new dollar donated to AK Can Do up to $130,000 will be matched dollar for dollar. Thanks to Lloyd Miller and Heather Kendall-Miller, and Herbert Lang family, more Alaskans will be helped with rent, utilities, food and other basics as the parallel economic crisis continues.

“Alaskans have always helped their neighbors. We are grateful that is continuing through the pandemic in ways big and small,” said Diane Kaplan, Rasmuson Foundation president and CEO. “We know we have more months ahead to fight the devastation of coronavirus. These recent donations are so generous and will help hundreds of Alaskans. Working together, we can double the impact of these giving families.”

Since its inception, AK Can Do has raised $2.97 million and provided more than $2 million in support. As of mid-December, 576 Alaska households have gotten help with rent, utilities and food. In addition, grants have gone to 216 organizations that provide critical services to communities across Alaska or services that are essential to quality of life.

To donate or to learn more, go to: https://www.akcando.org/. Nonprofits can apply for a grant through The Alaska Community Foundation. Applications for the current round are due by Jan. 14. Individuals in need of help can call 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221. Rasmuson Foundations helps to cover marketing and administrative costs so 100% of online donations go to those in need.

Major corporate, foundation and business donors to AK Can Do include Rasmuson Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Alaska Community Foundation, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Alaska Airlines, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Wells Fargo, ExxonMobil, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, Doyon Ltd., Sealaska, Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, Spawn Ideas, Alaska Airlines, Alaska National Insurance — a CopperPoint Insurance Co., Saltchuk, Rotary District 5010 and GCI.