
Health and Human Services


Meet Foundation’s new program officers: a social worker, a lawyer and an artist
Rasmuson Foundation is pleased to announce three new hires as we grow to better serve Alaska. One is our first external affairs program officer, with duties that bridge grantmaking and connections with the larger philanthropic world.
‘Alaska Native values guide my work and life’
By Marleah Makpiaq LaBelle
Note: We love hearing from former staff and interns, and thought you might as well. Marleah LaBelle was an intern here in 2005-06.
I am a reflection of my family and ancestors. I am Sugpiaq and Iñupiaq and my ancestors called Alaska home for many generations.

Launching a campaign for Alaska children’s center
A new home for an Anchorage-based child advocacy center is taking shape in the middle of town, a place that aims to help children at their most vulnerable. Organizers need the public's help.
New grants for therapeutic court, historic barn and more
A therapeutic court for Mat-Su families in crisis, a new roof for a Fairbanks homeless shelter and a portable health clinic for the eroding Northwest Alaska village of Kivalina were among 16 projects recently approved by the Rasmuson Foundation Board of Directors.Parting thoughts from Foundation’s Smart: “Transformative work that impacts individual lives”
Rasmuson Foundation today announces the departure of a key team member heading to a leadership position as arts and cultures program director at Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Jayson Smart, a senior program officer, has worked at Rasmuson Foundation since 2010.
Investing in kids is good for business
In this week's, post Program Officer Jeff Baird discusses the social and economic importance of early childhood care in Alaska.DHAT attracts Lower 48 trainees
Lower 48 communities and tribes have noticed the success of Alaska's Dental Health Therapist Program and they are following Alaska's lead. Read about it in this week's post.Time is now to address alcohol impacts
Lifelong Fairbanksan and Rasmuson Board member Jeff Cook cares a lot about the health of his community. That's why he lauds “Paths to Recovery: Solving Alaska’s alcohol problem,” a series of articles produced through the partnership of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Recover Alaska. Read his post.
Little Mikey
The Glory Hole shelter is a grungy, heartbreaking window into a reality we often ignore. There are people and stories here that lay bare all the ugliness the world has to offer; but more than that, you will find raw, palpable good.