Photo description: Ed and Elmer Rasmuson stand in front of the mission house in Yakutat, built by E.A. Rasmuson in the early 1900s. Photo from the early 1970s. 

Hello friends, 

With our transitions in leadership, the board took time over the last year to reflect, refine, and recalibrate. Earlier this month, we announced our reopening and new programs and today, I want to talk about how we go about it: our mission, vision and values. 

Beginning in Yakutat with a small, $125 grant to purchase a motion picture projector for the Wasilla Presbyterian Church, Rasmuson Foundation has always strived to connect people to resources and, in turn, connect people to each other. Our mission speaks to our commitment to being a trusted partner for organizations of all sizes, industries and services that are making Alaska a better place.  

OUR MISSION:  

We invest, connect and convene. We empower Alaskans to help each other.  

We have been blessed by three visionaries who loved Alaska.   

Jenny Olson was a Swedish immigrant whose Alaska venture started with her missionary work in Yakutat. A strong community leader, she reminds us to “Do good.”   

Jenny and her son, Elmer Rasmuson, started the Foundation because of their desire to honor E.A. Rasmuson, and to give back to a state that had given so much to them. Elmer often said “Helping others is an Alaska tradition,” and as Alaskans we know he is so right. 

Our longtime chair and grandson of Jenny, Ed Rasmuson, steered our Foundation through exponential growth and impact. As we do our work, we remember his saying “If you do what’s right, you’ll never be wrong.” 

With their leadership, actions, and lessons in mind, our Foundation has defined its values that ground our work and guide our grantmaking efforts.  

OUR VALUES: 

Celebration. We elevate our partners and their work. 

Collaboration. We believe in Alaskans, listening and learning from their ideas. 

Community. We embrace Alaska’s diversity and Indigenous cultures. 

Innovation. We support bold ideas and bold leaders. 

Respect. We work alongside Alaskans with kindness and grace. 

Responsibility. We ensure Jenny, Elmer and Ed’s legacies live on to serve Alaskans. 

Partnership. We build relationships with Alaskans beyond grantmaking. 

The Foundation’s nearly 70-year history, values, and mission work synergistically to accomplish an overarching vision: 

OUR VISION:  

An Alaska where people, culture and communities are thriving. 

As grant applications reopen this summer, we’re again reminded of Elmer’s words, and we are excited to continue the tradition of helping others. 

Warmly,

Gretchen Guess

President & CEO, Rasmuson Foundation