The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) is pleased to announce seven new grants from the Vocational Fund for Alaska’s Future grant program (VFAF), a grant program designed to help Alaskans develop the skills needed to be competitive in the state’s resource-based economy.
ACF awarded seven grants totaling $258,000 to seven organizations across Alaska. Applications were encouraged from Alaska nonprofits focused on natural resource development training and skill-building, with a preference given to projects that benefit rural Alaska.
Vocational and technical training are critical needs in Alaska’s communities, particularly those in rural areas, where the desire for locals to provide skilled labor for resource development projects is especially important. These seven grants will positively impact the competitiveness of our statewide economy and the resilience of our communities by helping provide a homegrown workforce where it is needed.
– Katie St. John, Director of Programs & Grants, The Alaska Community Foundation
Now in its third year of distributing grants, the Vocational Fund for Alaska’s Future is a Field of Interest fund at ACF established by Rio Tinto to support projects across Alaska that strengthen vocational skills and contribute to the competitiveness of Alaska’s natural resource development and overall economy.
2017 Grant recipients include:
ANSEP – $50,000: Engage 54 students from the Bristol Bay region in its Middle School Academy.
Ilisagvik College – $50,000: Modularize its current Commercial Driver’s License certification course.
EXCEL Alaska, Inc. – $50,000: Provide training in technical skills for up to 70 youth in Western Alaska.
UAA Community And Technical College – $50,000: Welding & Nondestructive Testing program equipment upgrades.
Girl Scouts of Alaska – $25,000: Bring Women of Science & Technology Day and the Natural Resource Patch Series to rural Alaska.
APICC – $13,000: Update website and outreach materials for Maritime Works initiative.
2017 Affiliate grant recipient:
Kenai Peninsula School District – $20,000: Offer an Alaska Petroleum Academy opportunity to high schools students. Awarded in partnership with Kenai Peninsula Foundation.
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