IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cassandra Stalzer, 907-334-0520

Anchorage, AK – The Rasmuson Foundation Board of Directors announced $8.7 million in grants, program-related investments (PRIs) and initiative funding, bringing the total amount of funds awarded since 1955 to more than $250 million.

Meeting Nov. 20 in Anchorage, the Directors approved 19 grants to nonprofit programs and activities around Alaska. The board also approved a PRI to expand The Philanthropy Hub in midtown Anchorage, and committed funds to continue the Recover Alaska and Community Asset Building Initiatives.

The organizations and projects receiving funds are (organized by region):

Mat-Su
Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services (Nugen’s Ranch) will receive $189,300 to purchase agricultural equipment and expand its surveillance system.
The City of Wasilla will receive $750,000 for construction of a replacement public library.
Chickaloon Native Village will receive $525,000 to construct a health and wellness center.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough will receive $200,000 to purchase and install LED lights on trails and construct a catering kitchen at Government Peak Recreation Area.

Prince William Sound
City of Cordova will receive $750,000 for furnishings, fixtures and equipment for the theater in the Cordova Center.
Cordova Community Medical Center will receive $250,000 to purchase a CT scanner.

Southcentral
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center will receive $212,801 to construct a visitor multipurpose building.
Anchorage Community YMCA will receive $495,000 for construction, furnishings and equipment for a new Wellness Center.
Covenant House Alaska will receive $98,000 to renovate the Rights of Passage transitional living facility.
Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum will receive $100,000 to restore the historic Stinson L-1 aircraft.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will receive $169,825 to purchase furniture, fixtures and equipment for the new Thomas Center for Senior Leadership, a public space developed as part of a new senior housing development.
University of Alaska Foundation University of Alaska Anchorage will receive $300,000 to expand the Alaska Joint Library Catalog.
The ARC of Anchorage will receive $170,000 for IT network and system upgrades.
United Way of Anchorage will receive $346,000 for improvements to the Success by Six building in Mountain View.
The Board approved a PRI of up to $380,000 to Calais Office Center, LLC for additional space to accommodate The Philanthropy Hub at the Alaska Community Foundation.

Southeast
Baranof Island Housing Authority will receive $495,000 to construct an affordable housing complex in Sitka.
REACH, Inc will receive $250,000 to renovate and remodel an assisted living home in Juneau.

Kenai Peninsula Borough
Hope Community Resources, Inc. will receive $300,000 to construct an accessible community center in Kenai.

Yukon-Kuskokwim
Village of Atmautluak will receive $147,177 to purchase dental and medical equipment.

Statewide
The Board approved a $1,850,000 investment over three years for the Recover Alaska initiative, a multi-funder collaborative that seeks to reduce the harm to Alaskans from the excessive consumption of alcohol.

The Alaska Community Foundation will receive a one-year grant of $665,000 for sustaining support and to extend for one year the Community Asset Building Initiative, which seeks to build local, permanently-endowed community funds.

National
Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. will receive $75,000 to study the feasibility of a formal programmatic collaboration with the Anchorage Museum.

About the Foundation

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.