Rasmuson Foundation Awards $11.9 Million to Alaska Nonprofits

July 9, 2008 - PRLog -- Twenty-nine nonprofits that provide a wide range of benefits to Alaskans were selected for a collective $11,971,325 investment by Rasmuson Foundation. From historic preservation to outdoor exploration, the grantees selected for support have very different goals and missions, but are all similar in the support they engender within their communities.

“These grantees not only do good work and provide much needed services, but they are also well managed by their boards and staff,” said Rasmuson Foundation President Diane Kaplan. “They have done their homework in getting community buy-in to their missions and community support for their projects. The Foundation is thrilled to provide assistance to these important organizations that improve the quality of life for people throughout our state.”

Anchor Arms (dba Safe Harbor Inn) (Anchorage) received $1,500,000 to acquire a 50-room Ramada Inn motel to convert into transitional housing for homeless people and families. Safe Harbor's current waiting list has risen above 175 people, most of them families with children. This facility in Muldoon will enable Safe Harbor to double the number of people served each year and make a significant reduction in the incidence of homelessness in the community.

Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes (Juneau) received $54,930 to improve the Head Start playground in Wrangell by constructing a cover over the existing play equipment. In a community that receives more than 80 inches of rain per year and significant winter snowfall, a covered playground will encourage more children and families to spend time in outdoor play.

Camp Fire USA - Alaska Council (Anchorage) received $1,000,000 to construct a multi-purpose building for Camp Kushtaka on Kenai Lake and implement the "Campaign to Make it Possible" to raise funds for their Program Inclusion Fund. Camp Kushtaka is the oldest continually running, nonsectarian, coeducational overnight camp accredited by the American Camp Association.  The “Campaign to Make it Possible” endeavors to provide programs to families that would otherwise not be able to afford them.

Kodiak Historical Society (Kodiak) received $123,000 to preserve the Russian American Magazin (Russian word meaning "store"), a National Historic Landmark building that houses the Baranov Museum. The building was constructed in 1808 by the Russian-American Company and has three distinctions: it is the oldest building in Alaska, it is one of only four remaining Russian-era structures in the United States, and it is the earliest documented log building on the west coast.

Homer United Methodist Church (Homer) received $75,864 to remodel and expand its community hall and kitchen that is used to host meetings by at least 19 community groups including Alcoholics Anonymous, Boy Scouts, Brownie Scouts, and Habitat for Humanity. The facility is available for rental for recitals and shows, private academic tutoring, rummage sales and other fundraisers, weddings, and funerals. The Food Pantry serves approximately 150 families weekly from the facility.

Ketchikan Area Arts and Humanities Council (Ketchikan) received $167,500 to purchase and renovate a building formerly used as a church to house their offices and provide program and gallery space. The spacious, high-ceiling sanctuary will be transformed into a gallery and program area. A larger gallery will allow for installation work, the wrap-around deck can be used for outdoor exhibits, and the original hardwood flooring in the sanctuary is the perfect surface for dance classes. The lower level will be used for classes and meetings, with room enough to allow for messy arts activities.

Sitka Trail Works (Sitka) received $170,617 to complete the Sawmill Cove Loop Trail system that will wind through a stand of old growth spruce and follow a stream to its source, a 150-foot waterfall, before moving on through a steep valley and past two more waterfalls. The first waterfall and viewing area are designed to be wheelchair accessible. Sitka Trail Works was incorporated to promote the development and maintenance of area trails by retraining and employing displaced timber workers. Originally funded with timber relief monies following the closure of the local pulp mill, the organization retrained 20 workers and built more than seven miles of new trails in the Sitka area.

Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority (Juneau) received $780,000 to renovate and expand the Klawock Senior Supportive Housing facility on Prince of Wales Island. The project will increase housing units for seniors from 10 to 18, create elevator access to the second floor, and renovate the existing kitchen and lunch room into a "day facility" that can comfortably accommodate additional seniors for meals and socialization.

Alaska Native Heritage Center (Anchorage) received $168,700 to complete Games of the North, a feature film that explores the hundreds of games that, over generations, were adapted from the unique skills needed to survive in the diverse environments of Alaska. The film's storyline follows four athletes as they jump, kick, carry, and wrestle their way through traditional sport competitions in the circumpolar Arctic.

Other grant awards announced today are:

• Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Anchorage) - $139,600 for capacity building to increase sustainable revenue over five years.

• Capital Community Broadcasting, Inc. (Juneau) - $72,888 to upgrade radio equipment and perform tower site work.

• Carol H. Brice Family Center (Fairbanks) - $350,000 to rebuild the roof of a facility that houses several nonprofits.

• Central Peninsula Health Foundation (Soldotna) - $295,000 to purchase and renovate a home in Soldotna for an adult substance abuse treatment facility.

• City of Kenai - Kenai Community Library (Kenai) - $1,500,000 to expand and renovate the Kenai Community Library.

• Farthest North Girl Scout Council (Fairbanks) - $200,000 for capital upgrades for the service center.

• Great Alaska Council - Boy Scouts of America (Anchorage) - $1,000,000 to support phase one construction of Denali High Adventure Base Camp.

• Haines Assisted Living (Haines) - $550,000 for the construction of an assisted living facility.

• Kodiak Area Native Association (Kodiak) - $850,000 to purchase condominium office space.

• Koahnic Broadcast Corporation (Anchorage) - $200,000 to support the Native Program Fund Sustainability project.

• Kenai Historical Society (Kenai) - $55,000 for the relocation of five historic cabins.

• Kenai Peninsula Community Care Center (Kenai) - $400,000 for the construction of a gymnasium at this residential treatment facility for teens.

• Mat-Valley Community Charities Agency (dba) (Wasilla) - $466,976 for the purchase of a condominium unit, furnishings and equipment for the Treasure Loft Thrift store.

• Metlakatla Indian Community (Metlakatla) - $150,000 to renovate the Town Hall and improve its energy efficiency.

• Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks (Fairbanks) - $40,000 to purchase equipment for trail improvements and maintenance.

• Providence Alaska Foundation (Anchorage) - $329,100 for the expansion of the pediatric clinic.

•  State of Alaska - Department of Health and Social Services (Juneau) - $519,150 for the Grantee Partnership Project that will realign grant making and monitoring processes to help DHSS effectively and efficiently serve the residents of Alaska.

•  Talkeetna Community Radio (Talkeetna) - $198,000 to purchase and renovate the KTNA facility.

•  The Foraker Group (Anchorage) - $120,000 to purchase technology for distance delivery of educational services.

•  Yuut Elitnaurviat - People's Learning Center (Bethel) - $495,000 for the completion of the interior build-out of an educational center.

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The 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.