(Anchorage, ALASKA) – The Alaska Community Foundation is pleased to announce Rasmuson Foundation has awarded more than $800,000 to expand and sustain the Strengthening Organizations grant program.
Now in its fifth year, the Strengthening Organizations (SO) program has become a major touchpoint for ACF and the nonprofit sector, and is considered to be a unique and mainstay grant program for nonprofit organizations across Alaska who are seeking the necessary funding to strengthen their infrastructures and allow them to more effectively serve their missions and provide services in Alaska. It represents the majority of competitive grant awards made through ACF each year.
It is well known in Alaska that funding to support capacity building is difficult to come by. At the same time, this area of funding has become increasingly important as Alaska’s nonprofits have been some of the first to be hit with the state’s difficult economic times and are forced to bolster their internal structures as they deal with an increased need for services and a decrease in funding opportunities.
The program has proven to be enormously effective over the years, with incredible responses from grantees:
“This new era demands a particularly creative staff, board, volunteers, & donors to be able to continue our mission. We are extremely appreciative of foundation recognition and support. This project has been critical to our continued success.”
– Lynn Canal Broadcasting
This grant program awards capacity building grants up to $10,000, with typical awards ranging from $3,000-$5,000, to 501(c)(3) nonprofits or equivalent organizations, which may include tribes, schools, churches and local government agencies and programs.
Starting in 2017, applications for this program will be accepted on a rolling deadline throughout the year. ACF has broadened the scope of acceptable applications to now include consolidation support and staff development, including conferences and trainings. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to submit drafts for review and to be in communication with their local ACF Affiliate Community Foundation, if one exists in their community, throughout the application process. For more information or to apply, visit The Alaska Community Foundation’s grants page or call (907) 334-6700.
The Alaska Community Foundation is very grateful for Rasmuson Foundation’s continuing support of this program and their efforts to build nonprofit capacity across Alaska.
For more information, please contact:
Katie St. John
Director of Programs & Grants
907.249.6617
kstjohn@alaskacf.org