The Juneau Community Foundation announced the availability of approximately $1,000,000 in grant funds to support organizations and agencies working in the areas of suicide prevention, substance abuse, homelessness, hospice, mental health, and victims of abuse through the Juneau Hope Endowment Fund. Grant applications are available on the Foundation’s website: juneaucf.org. Completed applications may be returned to the Foundation no later than 5:00pm on March 2, 2015.
2015 marks the first year of grant funding from the Juneau Hope Endowment Fund. The Fund was established in September 2014 with an approximate $20,000,000 endowment and a requirement that 5% annually be granted to Juneau organizations and agencies working in specific social service areas.
The Foundation kicked off its grant program in October with six Listening and Learning Sessions, involving agencies and organizations that provide services, funding, and expertise in each of these areas. This process provided Foundation board members and staff with a greater understanding of the needs and issues in these areas in our community.
The Listening and Learning sessions enabled us to hear firsthand what organizations are working on, what priorities groups had, and how the Foundation may be able to assist.
Eric Kueffner, Board President
Following the Listening and Learning sessions the Foundation requested Letters of Interest in which organizations briefly described what they would be applying for and their anticipated project budget and timeline. Collaboration plans between organizations applying for grants were also highlighted in the letters. The total amount requested came to over $2,000,000.
With only roughly $1,000,000 available, the experience of the Foundation’s Hope Fund Professional Advisory Committee and other funders within the state provided important information to assist the Foundation as it developed the granting guidelines.
We have gained some important insights from local and state organizations and experts. As we continue to work together, their experience and ideas will help ensure that these grant funds address community priorities and result in positive changes in these areas. Critical for future years of the Hope Fund is our assistance from and collaboration with the Rasmuson Foundation. They’ve provided us with funding to convene gatherings focused on developing community priorities for these areas.
Amy Skilbred, Executive Director
For more information about the Juneau Community Foundation and the Juneau Hope Endowment Fund please visit juneaucf.org or contact Amy Skilbred, Executive Director at amy@juneaucf.org or 523-5450.
Press release published here with permission from the Juneau Community Foundation.