A life well lived and a legacy of philanthropic growth in Alaska.
This year, The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) said goodbye to a community leader close to our hearts. Bob Bulmer, one of the founders of The Alaska Community Foundation, passed away in July 2023. His life was a testament to what one person can do to change the course of history and impact important causes.
Born in Ketchikan and raised in Seattle, Bob was known for his sense of community and a strong desire to give back and build a better future for Alaska. His civic-minded approach to life led him to serve on numerous nonprofit boards and committees. His philanthropic pursuits connected him with many like-minded people, including Bonnie Mehner, former chair of the Municipal Arts Commission and co-founder of ACF.
“I think those of us on the early board were truly blessed to be brought in by Bob and be part of creating something that has had such an impact on the state and communities that we love. Bob had a way of seeing into the future that not many were able to, but I don’t think we could have done this without the people who served on the board in the early days.”
– Bonnie Mehner
When Bonnie asked Bob to join the committee for the Municipal Arts Council, Bob, always looking to leverage his connections to make a difference, asked for the Arts Commission’s support to form a community foundation. His brother–in–law was involved in the Denver Community Foundation, and Bob thought this would be a tremendous asset to bring to Alaska. Initially, the intent was to create a space for arts organizations to start endowments to fund their operations. Bob and Bonnie began pitching the idea in their discussions on developing ways for these nonprofits to grow. Eventually, the conversation expanded to encompass all nonprofits as the need for support across the nonprofit sector became apparent. Bob also realized people wanted to give back to Alaska but did not have a vehicle to do that, especially when it came to gifts like bequests, appreciated stock, and proceeds from retirement funds.
As with the formation of any nonprofit entity, the early days of realizing what would eventually be The Alaska Community Foundation involved Bob talking with every mover and shaker in Anchorage to raise interest in the new organization and find potential members to join the board. There was no one better equipped to do this than Bob. According to Bill Bankston, “Bob was an elegant man. He always dressed impeccably and consistently wore a coat and tie. He had integrity and character. He had all those traits that most of us strive for.”
Bob’s diligent advocacy of the project came to fruition in 1995. Bonnie Mehner became a co-founder, and Bill Bankston prepared the articles of incorporation to become qualified as a 501(c)(3).
“I don’t think you’ll ever hear an unkind word about Bob Bulmer. He had many things to offer to the community, and he felt that there are proper things that ought to be done, and he thought this was something that ought to be done.”
– Bill Bankston
As with most new ideas, there was uncertainty and skepticism about the viability and benefits of the community foundation model. There was a concern among many nonprofits that if people were to donate to a fund held at the foundation, they would lose access to those dollars they needed to fulfill their mission. Thanks to a few intrepid and generous individuals and corporate donors like ARCO, one of the heritage companies of ConocoPhillips, the benefits of investing long-term and pooling funds to increase returns became apparent. Individuals found they could create scholarship funds to support Alaskan students. The first fund opened by a family was the Sven and Lorraine Eriksson Alaska Scholarship Fund, which has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships since 1997. Alaskan students will benefit from this endowed fund in perpetuity.
“Having been asked to sit at the table at APU when Bob first convened a group he hoped would have interest in founding a community foundation, I can attest that without Bob Bulmer’s leadership, there may not be a community foundation in Alaska. While many others joined the effort, he was indeed the impetus for the creation of The Alaska Community Foundation”.
– Dennis McMillian
Thanks to Bob’s advocacy and all those who shared his vision, the foundation began to connect people who care with causes that matter. Bob’s foresight started a movement of philanthropic collaboration, creating a place where Alaskans could give back and make a difference for the state’s future. The Alaska Community Foundation has grown from an idea pitched to the Arts Commission to a trusted organization that benefits thousands of nonprofits of many shapes and sizes across Alaska.
Twenty-eight years later, ACF manages approximately $200 million in assets, over 2,000 funds, and offers 46 different scholarships. Because of the thousands of generous donors over the years, ACF grants out $7 million to $10 million annually to nonprofits in Alaska. Thanks to Bob’s visionary leadership, The Alaska Community Foundation continues to connect people who care with the causes that matter most to them. In memory of Bob and all his incredible work for Alaska, the board of The Alaska Community Foundation has granted $10,000 to the Alaska Fund to support the ever-changing needs of Alaska through strategic grants for the most significant impact.
Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years, Anne Hallett Bulmer; son, McLean E. Bulmer (Collene Burns); and grandson, Jackson Burns Bulmer, as well as friends and family in Hayden Lake, Idaho; Seattle, Washington; and Anchorage, Alaska. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Eric and Jeannette (Lewis) Bulmer, and his brother, Ronald.
