FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Aleesha Towns-Bain, 907-334-0509

Rasmuson Foundation announces a four-year, $5 million grant to The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) to support the Affiliate Program, a statewide effort to create, support, and sustain locally-driven philanthropy.

The ACF Affiliate Program was established in 2008 by a grant from Rasmuson Foundation for the express purpose of supporting local communities in galvanizing philanthropic efforts through charitable giving and grantmaking. The Alaska Affiliates, led by local volunteer advisory boards, inspire local philanthropy in Alaska by growing permanent, geographically-based endowment funds in conjunction with ACF’s statewide charitable funds. As these Affiliates understand the causes that are most important to their communities, they recommend grants to local nonprofits and lead efforts to support organizations within their communities. Through the Affiliates, donors can also establish funds for local causes they care about.

Today, the Affiliate Program encompasses nine communities in Alaska: Chilkat Valley Community Foundation (Haines and Klukwan), Golden Heart Community Foundation (Fairbanks), Greater Sitka Legacy Fund, Jessica Stevens Community Foundation (Talkeetna), Kenai Peninsula Foundation, Ketchikan Community Foundation, Kodiak Community Foundation, Petersburg Community Foundation, and Seward Community Foundation.

After nearly a decade of support, Rasmuson Foundation has now announced a new four-year funding plan that will enhance the program by providing new resources to existing and new Affiliate communities. One such expansion of the Affiliate Program is the addition of a local part-time program manager for each Affiliate community, who will provide ongoing operational, administrative, and executive support. In addition, there are incentives for each community’s unrestricted grantmaking endowment fund, along with the creation of a new operating endowment fund. Through the next four years, a total of up to $185,000 in matching funds will be available for each Affiliate: Rasmuson and ACF will provide an additional dollar for every dollar raised in each Affiliate community. Many communities are already meeting the challenge by raising substantial gifts through their local donors, including individuals, families, and businesses. Finally, the Affiliate program will add six new community foundations across the state by 2019.

The Affiliate Program is core to our mission and the heart of what we do at ACF. We believe our Affiliates best understand their needs and the causes most important to ensure vibrant and prosperous communities long into the future. We are greatly appreciative of Rasmuson Foundation’s support of the Affiliate Program and for the impact that it has had on strengthening Alaska. Rasmuson Foundation has brought the visions of many communities into reality in an unprecedented way – and is enabling Alaskans to support the future of our communities for generations to come.
– Nina Kemppel, President & CEO of The Alaska Community Foundation

Encouraging and supporting philanthropy across Alaska is central to the mission of Rasmuson Foundation. We hope that this new investment in our partnership with The Alaska Community Foundation and its Affiliates will expand charitable giving at the local level, and increase the effectiveness of dedicated volunteers who are working to make life better for Alaskans in communities large and small.
– Diane Kaplan, President & CEO, Rasmuson Foundation

Please visit alaskacf.org to make a gift to the Affiliate Program or to learn more about the impact the program makes across the state.


About the Foundation
Rasmuson Foundation was created in May 1955 by Jenny Rasmuson to honor her late husband E.A. Rasmuson. The Foundation is a catalyst to promote a better life for all Alaskans.

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