It's that time of year when program associates all over the world pause to reflect on the successes and challenges of their Tier 1 programs and share their resolutions for the coming year in blog format. In this post, Jeff Baird looks back at 2011, and ahead at 2012 for a glimpse of what's in store for the Foundation's first grant program.
Jeff Baird, Rasmuson Foundation program associate and Tier 1 extraordinaire.
That time when program associates all over the world pause to reflect on the successes and challenges of their Tier 1 programs and share their resolutions for the coming year in blog format. (At least this is what my colleague Aleesha Towns-Bain tells me.)
It has been a wonderful first year at Rasmuson Foundation, and I appreciate your patience in breaking in a sector rookie. Admittedly, it has taken me longer than expected to learn the language of philanthropy. And by that I am referring specifically to the confounding number of acronyms I’ve encountered and that periodically cause me fits. But, Tier 1 application by Tier 1 application, I’ve been putting the pieces together and am confident I’ll be a fluent speaker soon.
Taking a look back, you kept us busy. The program associate team processed 90 Tier 1 grants in 2011, pumping more than $1.6 million into quality organizations throughout the State of Alaska. These numbers are roughly consistent with what we’ve been doing the last few years.
While exciting, there’s better news. We’re aiming higher in 2012. Much higher. With your help, here’s what I’d like to do in the coming year:
- Increase the number of Tier 1 awards by 25% (to 120);
- Continue to get to know you better and make you more comfortable in approaching me with questions and ideas;
- Do more Tier 1 trainings;
- Develop more connections in areas where we don’t get as many applications, including the Mat-Su Borough, the Interior, Copper River Region, Northwest Arctic Borough and Arctic Slope.
So reach out. If I don’t know you yet, introduce yourself. If there is something you think we should be doing that will help us attain our goals, I’d like to hear about it. After all, if we can provide additional tools that will enhance your ability to do your jobs, all Alaskans benefit. And that’s a language everybody can understand.
Tomorrow, I will go over some of the things that we think about when reviewing applications.
Note: Jeff is conducting a workshop tomorrow, Jan. 6, at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center at 10 a.m. If you can’t make it in person, his presentation can be found here.