Director of Programs & Grants
Direct: 907-249-6616
Email: jlavoie@alaskacf.org
Jessie moved to Alaska in 2006 to pursue a bachelor’s in marine biology. While she came here for science, she is still here because of philanthropy. Her first full-time, professional experience in the nonprofit sector was as the Community Engagement Manager for the National MS Society, Greater Northwest Chapter in 2011. Jessie managed a portfolio of donors, events such as Walk MS, Bike MS, and a Chocolate Affair, as well as cultivated volunteers to support those living with MS. During her time with NMSS, she received a master’s in public administration with an emphasis on management and organizational theory. Jessie is now a Board of Trustee member for the National MS Society, Greater Northwest Chapter.
In 2015, moved on to credit union community impact work and was the Community Engagement Director with Credit Union 1 until 2018. Here she managed over 300 volunteers, point of sales fundraising efforts, as well as assisted with access to financial education across the state. She then moved on to the Alaska Community Foundation as the Pick.Click.Give. Program Manager before moving into the full Programs & Grants team, where she’s now the Director of Programs & Grants.
“ACF embodies philanthropy in Alaska by supporting all the work the nonprofit sector does. Pick.Click.Give. being a program of ACF provides yet another valuable tool to fundraise for these nonprofits. As we moved through the pandemic, ACF was able to step up in unimaginable ways to support our communities during such a tumultuous time. It’s an honor to be a part of that work.”
When not working with nonprofits across the state, Jessie is on one of her bikes, riding with friends for a good cause.
Philanthropic Interests:
Civic Engagement
Gender Equity
Human Rights & Equity
Environmental Conservation
Volunteering