Rasmuson Foundation Grant to Ignite Philanthropy
(Anchorage, ALASKA) – Rasmuson Foundation announces one of their largest grants in history to The Alaska Community Foundation. The grant is designed to ignite more philanthropy across Alaska by supporting the Affiliate Program, a statewide effort to create, support, and sustain locally-driven philanthropy.
The nearly ten-year old program empowers communities to create strategies to solve issues important to their location. It also fosters local leadership and catalyzes support for local organizations.
The four year, $5 million grant will provide new resources to existing programs and add up to six new Affiliate Community Foundations across the state. Through the next four years, a total of up to $185,000 in matching funds will be available for each Affiliate: Rasmuson and ACF will provide an additional dollar for every dollar raised in each Affiliate community. Many communities are already meeting the challenge by raising substantial gifts through their local donors, including individuals, families, and businesses.
The ACF Affiliate Program was established in 2008 by a grant from Rasmuson Foundation for the express purpose of supporting local communities in galvanizing philanthropic efforts through charitable giving and grantmaking. The Alaska Affiliates, led by local volunteer advisory boards, inspire local philanthropy in Alaska by growing permanent, geographically-based endowment funds in conjunction with ACF’s statewide charitable funds. As these Affiliates understand the causes that are most important to their communities, they recommend grants to local nonprofits and lead efforts to support organizations within their communities. Through the Affiliates, donors can also establish funds for local causes they care about.
Today, the Affiliate Program encompasses nine communities in Alaska: Chilkat Valley Community Foundation (Haines & Klukwan), Golden Heart Community Foundation (Fairbanks), Greater Sitka Legacy Fund, Jessica Stevens Community Foundation (Talkeetna), Kenai Peninsula Foundation, Ketchikan Community Foundation, Kodiak Community Foundation, Petersburg Community Foundation, and Seward Community Foundation.
The Affiliate Program is core to our mission and the heart of what we do at ACF. We believe our Affiliates best understand their needs and the causes most important to ensure vibrant and prosperous communities long into the future. We are greatly appreciative of Rasmuson Foundation’s support of the Affiliate Program and for the impact that it has had on strengthening Alaska. Rasmuson Foundation has brought the visions of many communities into reality in an unprecedented way – and is enabling Alaskans to support the future of our communities for generations to come.
– Nina Kemppel, President & CEO, The Alaska Community Foundation
Encouraging and supporting philanthropy across Alaska is central to the mission of Rasmuson Foundation. We hope that this new investment in our partnership with The Alaska Community Foundation and its Affiliates will expand charitable giving at the local level, and increase the effectiveness of dedicated volunteers who are working to make life better for Alaskans in communities large and small.
– Diane Kaplan, President & CEO, Rasmuson Foundation
The Rasmuson Foundation’s support of local communities through the Affiliate Program is critical to the Golden Heart Community Foundation’s success! There is nothing better than being able to tell a potential donor that we have the financial backing of the Rasmuson Foundation; and, more times than not, it’s the tipping point in convincing the donor that we are a legitimate organization and deserving of their dollars. It’s the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” Alaska equivalent! Thank you, Rasmuson Foundation!
– Jo Kuchle, Golden Heart Community Foundation Affiliate Advisory Board Chair
If your community wants to explore forming an Affiliate Community Foundation, please contact the staff at The Alaska Community Foundation. If you would like to make a gift to one of the Affiliates, please visit www.alaskacf.org and click “Give” or make a donation through Pick.Click.Give.
As part of this next phase of the Affiliate Program, ACF has hired two new staff members who will support the statewide Affiliates.
Mariko Sarafin was hired as ACF’s Affiliate Community Officer, transitioning from a 4-year position at ACF as Senior Program Associate of the Affiliate Program. Mariko moves to this new position with a wealth of experience with ACF and the details of the Affiliate Program, as well as long-term relationships with our Advisory boards across Alaska. Her expertise is invaluable for ACF as they move to the next steps of this important program.
Shawn Rivera has joined The Alaska Community Foundation as the Affiliate Program Officer, bringing his passion for philanthropy and extensive experience in nonprofits and fundraising, program and volunteer management, and community engagement and outreach. He also comes from a background in public service and IT, specializing in project management, web design, and technical writing.