Rasmuson Foundation News and Information

31 grant awards announced

Cassandra Stalzer, 907-334-0520 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:59:31 +0100

January 23, 2011 – In the fourth quarter of 2011, Rasmuson Foundation made 31 small grant awards totaling $474,860 to Alaska nonprofits. A complete list of awards can be found at the end of this release. Past awards are also searchable online here.

Tier 1
The Tier 1 program is a cornerstone of Rasmuson Foundation's grantmaking and provides grants of up to $25,000 for capital projects, technology updates, capacity building, program expansion, and creative works. Applications are accepted year-round. Examples of Tier 1 grants made during the period are:

• Alaska Children’s Services (Anchorage), Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository (Kodiak), and Four Valleys Community School will make technology improvements.
• The City of Nome (Nome) Kegoayah Kozga Library and Mountain View and Muldoon branches through the Anchorage Library Foundation (Anchorage) will enhance their collections.
• Kenai Peninsula Food Bank (Kenai) and Food Pantry of Wasilla (Wasilla) will make facility enhancements and expand freezer capacity, respectively.
• Alaska Children’s Institute for the Performing Arts (Kenai) will install a new septic system for its Triumvirate Theatre.
• Threshold Services (Kodiak) will construct a fence to surround the recycling facility.
• Valley Performing Arts (Wasilla) to replace light and sound equipment.
• Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest (Bethel) will be given support for its Bethel Teen Healthy Behaviors Outreach Program.
• Sitka Sound Science Center (Sitka) will remove hazardous chemicals from one of its facilities.
• Providence Alaska Foundation (Anchorage) will purchase a restorative therapy bike for its outpatient orthopedic clinic.
• First Nations Oweesta Corporation (Anchorage) in partnership with Rasmuson Foundation will provide training and technical assistance programming for the Alaska Native community.
• Pratt Museum (Homer) will conduct a research project to increase knowledge of its audience to enhance the quality of its visitors' experiences and assist in planning for its new facility and programming.
• Valdez Museum and Historical Archive Association (Valdez) will expand its aviation exhibit and enhance it to include a hands-on, interactive component.

Organizational Advancement Fund
The Organizational Advancement Fund was created to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of organizations that provide arts and cultural experiences to the citizens of Alaska by encouraging sustainable operations and strong leadership. (Note: As of Jan. 2012, Organizational Advancement Fund ceased to be a stand-alone grant program. Activities supported by the fund are now open to requests from all nonprofit organizations under the Tier 1 program.)
• 49 Writers (Anchorage) will develop a long-range strategic plan.

Harper Arts Touring Fund
The Harper Arts Touring Fund provides travel support to offset the cost of bringing quality art performances to underserved and rural communities. Alaska Arts Southeast (Sitka) was awarded assistance in travel expenses for the classical music group Indigo Trio to travel to four Southeast communities. Alaska Library Association (Fairbanks) was awarded travel support for author David Vann to tour four communities.

About the Foundation
The Rasmuson Foundation was created in May 1955 by Jenny Rasmuson to honor her late husband E.A. Rasmuson. The Foundation is a catalyst to promote a better life for all Alaskans.

Messages of courage, hope, and warning

Amanda Coyne — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:00:01 +0100

Mission Statement
Alaska AIDS Assistance Association

To be a key collaborator within the state of Alaska in the provision of supportive services to persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families and in the elimination of the transmission of HIV infection and its stigma.

A few weeks before Christmas, I am sitting in a little well lit room on Fireweed Lane, in a Midtown Anchorage office, with about 20 other people of all shapes and sizes and colors, dinning on pork roast and corned beef and salad and mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes. Real mashed potatoes. The Four A's, a direct service and advocacy group for people with HIV / AIDS, offers these meals to their clients at their office every Friday. A guy sitting next to me, whom I'll call David, is eating with relish.

"I love these meals," he tells me. "It gets me out."

Other people smile and nod. Then they talk about their jobs, or their lack thereof; about their relationships or lack thereof; about Christmas shopping and the war and the recent election. They talk about the things any group of disparate people talk about when they're sharing a meal.

Down the hallway a young Alaska Native girl is going through a rack that holds the informational brochures. She leafs through one that reads, "Living with HIV: Your Treatment Plan."

Her mother is talking in low tones to a councilor. The young woman puts the pamphlets back, leans up against the wall, and wipes tears from her eyes.

In the front lobby, a few people sit on couches, waiting to be tested or to talk to someone. They look at their feet, their hands, through magazines, anything but at each other. It will take them awhile, if ever, to find their way back here, to the little room where people are talking and laughing.

David is telling me about his cabin in the Bush, about how he had just returned from a two-week stay there. There was a time, he says, that he couldn't go out there at all. He was too weak. Now, because of the drugs he's taking, he can. But he's still not as strong as he once was. Also, he has had to give up his big love: his banjo. His disease has caused nerve damage to his left hand. But still he's grateful, he says. His disease is under check now, his viral load basically non-existent.

Another man, a younger one than David, talks about his travels and his writing. He talks about all the places he had been, all the people that he's seen, all of the stories he's written and heard, all of the things he still plans to do.

Throughout the office are pictures of people who are living with HIV / AIDS. Under those pictures are their stories; how they got the disease, how they are living with it. They are messages of courage and hope and of warning.

One of the women in those pictures is on staff at Four A's. Her name is Sarah Carter-Pierce. In 2000, she was given only a few months to live. Now, she bounds into the small room where everyone is finishing up their meals, full of energy and enthusiasm.

"How is everyone feeling?" she asks.

The young woman with tears in her eyes walks down the hallway, past those pictures of people with a disease that she may now have, past others like her who were sitting on the couch, and out into the dusky December afternoon.

In this little well-lit room David is holding a phantom banjo on his lap, picking the phantom strings, trying to show me the way it once was, in his other life.

Non-Fiction Collection #2

Susan Share — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:00:01 +0100

Susan Share
Non-Fiction Collection #2
Mixed media
2003
Anchorage Museum

Board giving

Rasmuson Foundation — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:17:05 +0100

Board Giving

In 2005, the Rasmuson Foundation Board of Directors reviewed the Foundation’s mission and philosophy and recognized the opportunity to refine the grantmaking program to reconfirm two key values of the founders:

1. Rasmuson Foundation places a high degree of importance on projects where the people most directly involved have invested financially.

2. Rasmuson Foundation aims to strengthen the nonprofit sector by offering tools and resources that reinforce sound financial management and organizational decision making.

To address these values, the Board of Directors approved a new addition to Rasmuson Foundation's grant review process:

Charitable Contributions by Applicant Board Members

Board governance for a nonprofit organization is a significant responsibility and commitment of personal time and energy. Board members provide strategic goals and objectives for the organization and are accountable for the stewardship of the organization's resources. Another trait of a strong nonprofit board of directors is their individual financial contribution to the organization. As part of the application process, the Rasmuson Foundation requests specific information about the cash contributions from board members.

We recognize that board members have varying capacities to give and that charitable giving is a personal decision. We recommend that each board member make a cash gift that is meaningful and significant by their own standard. While both membership dues and corporate gifts made by a board member's employer are very helpful to the organization, they will not be considered to be a board member cash gift. Applicants to the Rasmuson Foundation that demonstrate 100% board giving will receive priority in funding decisions. This review criterion is waived for elected officials.

The form below can be used to report board member contributions as required in the application process.

Documentation of board giving

tier 2 how to apply on paper

Rasmuson Foundation — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:31:48 +0100

How to Apply on Paper

Applying for a Tier 2 grant is a two-step process. The first step is to prepare and submit a Letter of Inquiry. If the Foundation is interested in the project, then the organization will be invited to submit a full Tier 2 proposal.

Step One: Letter of Inquiry

Please prepare your application with the following items in the order listed below. The quality and completeness of an application directly impacts the duration of the evaluation process.

Application cover sheet. Please note: the cover sheet must contain the original signature of the chief executive or top ranking official.
Narrative - No more than two (2) single-spaced pages that provides information in the order requested:
- Brief history of organization; services provided; geographic area served; and number of beneficiaries.
- Description of project for which funding is requested; identify the need for the project, current status, and a timeline for implementation, and how this project will contribute to the quality of life for Alaskans.
- Explain how the project will be sustained in the future.
- Identify the project director and briefly describe their qualifications
Complete an itemized project budget form. You may add as many lines as necessary to the worksheet. Formulas in the worksheet will automatically total the amounts entered.
Provide a list of the board of directors with affiliations for each member.
Complete the board member contributions form. Click here for an explanation of board giving.
Requests for technology follow a slightly different process and require additional written documentation to supplement the application. Click here for complete instructions.
Complete the Application Checklist. Review your application for completeness and check each item.

Application format:

Applications must be typed.
Use plain white, standard 8 1/2 x 11" paper, single-sided, with 1" margins and a font size no smaller than 10 points.
Submit the original and one (1) photocopy of all materials.
Do not use staples, binders or elaborate packaging.
Submit only requested materials.

Click here for a summary of the application forms listed above: Forms.

Mail your application to:
	Rasmuson Foundation
	301 West Northern Lights Blvd., Ste 400
	Anchorage, AK 99503

The Foundation does not accept applications sent via fax or email.

Step Two: Full Proposal - By Invitation Only

Should the project described in the Letter of Inquiry be of interest to the Foundation, a formal invitation will be extended to the applicant to undertake the second step of the process, submission of a full Tier 2 proposal. An invitation would typically be extended within two to three months of submitting the Letter of Inquiry. An invitation letter will provide a username and password to enter secure area where you can find complete instructions on how to submit a full proposal.

If you have a question about the eligibility of your organization or the application process, contact the Rasmuson Foundation. Rasmuson Foundation encourages applicants to call or meet with staff to discuss proposals prior to submission.

Grant procedures are subject to change at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

application forms

Rasmuson Foundation — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:19:53 +0100

Individual Artist Awards

Guidelines & Application - Distinguished Artist Award

Guidelines & Application - Fellowship Awards and Project Grants

Sabbatical

Cover Sheet

Application Budget Form

Board Member Contributions

Application Checklist

Tier 1 and Tier 2

Cover Sheet

Board Member Contributions

Itemized Project Budget

Technology Request Checklist

Tier 1 ($25,000 or less) Application Checklist

Tier 2 Letter of Inquiry (greater than $25,000) Application Checklist

Tier 2 Full Proposal - By Invitation Only. If your organization has been invited to submit a full Tier 2 application, the invitation letter will provide a username and password to successfully enter the secure area.

how to apply

Rasmuson Foundation — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:19:28 +0100

Please include the following with your application:

A completed Application Cover Sheet.
A short personal statement (no more than two pages) that addresses these questions:
- Why are you seeking this sabbatical?
- What, specifically, do you plan to do with your time?
- How will the time away from work benefit you? Your organization?
- How do you intend to use the experience of the sabbatical when you return to your organization?
- Where do see yourself with your career in five years?
- What motivated you to become involved in the nonprofit sector?
Your current resume.
A one-page description of your organization - its mission and services.
A copy of your organization's IRS 501(c)(3) tax exemption. (Tribal entities may include the Federal Register list with the name of their tribe highlighted. Tribal entities will be entered into the Foundation's database as their name appears in the Federal Register.)
A plan for how your organization will be managed during your absence, including how or whether you will communicate with the organization during your absence.
A budget for how funds will be used.
A letter from your board endorsing your application.
Provide a list of the board of directors, indicating affiliations for each member.
Documentation of board giving to the applicant organization within the past 12 months. Provide a list indicating board member individual contributions with dollar amounts. Board member names may be kept confidential. A form is available. Click here for an explanation of board giving.
Three references, including name, phone and e-mail.
Your organization's financial statements

If your organization's annual operating budget is $500,000 or greater:

Financial statements. Click here for instructions.

All organizations:

Most recent balance sheet available. Click here for a sample of a balance sheet.
Twelve-month statement of revenues and expenses for most recently completed fiscal year (please remember to identify the fiscal year).
Current year operating budget, showing anticipated sources of both revenues and expenses.

Each page after the cover sheet should have your name on the top right corner for proper identification.
A completed Application Checklist.

Click here for a summary of the application forms listed above: Forms.

Applications must be postmarked by midnight, October 1. Send to:

Sabbatical Program
Rasmuson Foundation
301 West Northern Lights Blvd.
Suite 400
Anchorage, AK 99503

Applications will not be accepted via fax or e-mail.

If you have questions please call (907) 297-2700, toll free 1-877-366-2700 or e-mail to rasmusonfdn@rasmuson.org.

application forms

Rasmuson Foundation — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:18:05 +0100

Individual Artist Awards

Guidelines & Application - Distinguished Artist Award

Guidelines & Application - Fellowship Awards and Project Grants

Sabbatical

Cover Sheet

Application Budget Form

Board Member Contributions

Application Checklist

Tier 1 and Tier 2

Cover Sheet

Board Member Contributions

Itemized Project Budget

Technology Request Checklist

Tier 1 ($25,000 or less) Application Checklist

Tier 2 Letter of Inquiry (greater than $25,000) Application Checklist

how to apply

Rasmuson Foundation — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:17:17 +0100

Please include the following with your application:

A completed Application Cover Sheet.
A short personal statement (no more than two pages) that addresses these questions:
- Why are you seeking this sabbatical?
- What, specifically, do you plan to do with your time?
- How will the time away from work benefit you? Your organization?
- How do you intend to use the experience of the sabbatical when you return to your organization?
- Where do see yourself with your career in five years?
- What motivated you to become involved in the nonprofit sector?
Your current resume.
A one-page description of your organization - its mission and services.
A copy of your organization's IRS 501(c)(3) tax exemption. (Tribal entities may include the Federal Register list with the name of their tribe highlighted. Tribal entities will be entered into the Foundation's database as their name appears in the Federal Register.)
A plan for how your organization will be managed during your absence, including how or whether you will communicate with the organization during your absence.
A budget for how funds will be used.
A letter from your board endorsing your application.
Provide a list of the board of directors, indicating affiliations for each member.
Documentation of board giving to the applicant organization within the past 12 months. Provide a list indicating board member individual contributions with dollar amounts. Board member names may be kept confidential. A form is available. Click here for an explanation of board giving.
Three references, including name, phone and e-mail.
Your organization's financial statements

If your organization's annual operating budget is $500,000 or greater:

Financial statements. Click here for instructions.

All organizations:

Most recent balance sheet available. Click here for a sample of a balance sheet.
Twelve-month statement of revenues and expenses for most recently completed fiscal year (please remember to identify the fiscal year).
Current year operating budget, showing anticipated sources of both revenues and expenses.

Each page after the cover sheet should have your name on the top right corner for proper identification.
A completed Application Checklist.

Click here for a summary of the application forms listed above: Forms.

Applications must be postmarked by midnight, October 1. Send to:

Sabbatical Program
Rasmuson Foundation
301 West Northern Lights Blvd.
Suite 400
Anchorage, AK 99503

Applications will not be accepted via fax or e-mail.

If you have questions please call (907) 297-2700, toll free 1-877-366-2700 or e-mail to rasmusonfdn@rasmuson.org.

tier 2 ($25,000 or less)

Rasmuson Foundation — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:14:29 +0100

Tier 2 applications of $25,000 or less are for non-capital, innovative projects with a broad impact. The Rasmuson Foundation accepts applications for this type of grant year-round, with review and awards handled on a rolling basis throughout the year. Organizations will be notified via email when an application has been received. If an applicant organization is successful, a formal grant agreement will be sent.

How to Apply

Please prepare your application with the following items in the order listed below.

Download and complete the application Cover Sheet. On the designated line, the form must contain the original signature of the Chief Executive or top ranking official.
IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exemption letter. (Tribal entities may include the Federal Register list with the name of their tribe highlighted. Tribal entities will be entered into the Foundation's database as their name appears in the Federal Register.)
Narrative - Submit no more than two (2) single-spaced pages and provide the information in the order requested.
- Brief history of organization; mission; services provided; geographic area served; and number of beneficiaries
- Description of project for which funding is requested. Identify the need for the project, current status, and a timeline for implementation
- Description of total cost of project, the amount of the Rasmuson request, what grant funds will purchase, and, if relevant, how the organization anticipates raising the balance
- Explain how the project will be sustained in the future
- Identify the project director and describe their qualifications
Download and complete an itemized project budget form. Using the Excel worksheet, list specific project components, the cost of each and sources of funding. Separate capital items from non-capital items (for example, do not include shipping, installation or training as part of the cost of a capital item). List the source and amount of any project funds raised to date or pending. Show how project revenues are allocated to costs. You may add as many lines as necessary to the Excel worksheet. Formulas in the worksheet will automatically total the amounts entered.
Provide a list of the board of directors with affiliations for each member
Download and complete the board member contributions form. List individual board member cash contributions to the applicant organization within the past 12 months. Click here for an explanation of board giving.
Provide a representative list of contributors to the applicant, including the Rasmuson Foundation, during the preceding two fiscal years (please limit to one page), including amounts granted by each.
Provide information regarding your organization's finances.
If organization's annual operating budget is $500,000 or greater:
- Financial statements. Click here for instructions.
All organizations:
- Most recent balance sheet available. Click here for a sample of a balance sheet.
- Twelve-month statement of revenues and expenses for most recently completed fiscal year (please remember to identify the fiscal year).
- Current year operating budget, showing anticipated sources of both revenues and expenses
Technology: requests for technology require additional written documentation to supplement the application. Click here for complete instructions.
The Application Checklist is a tool to review your application for completeness. Do not submit the checklist with your Letter of Inquiry.

Application format:

Applications must be typed.
Use plain white, standard 8 1/2 x 11" paper, single-sided, with 1" margins and a font size no smaller than 10 points.
Submit the original and one (1) photocopy of all materials.
Do not use staples, binders or elaborate packaging.

Click here for a summary of the application forms listed above: Forms.

Mail your application to:
	Rasmuson Foundation
	301 West Northern Lights Blvd., Ste 400
	Anchorage, AK 99503

The Foundation does not accept applications sent via fax or email.

Helpful Hints

To avoid unnecessary delay in evaluating your request, please take the time to ensure that your application is complete and accurate. The quality and completeness of an application directly impacts the duration of the evaluation process.
The Chief Executive or top ranking officer is required to sign the cover sheet.

Please contact the Rasmuson Foundation if you have questions.

Grant procedures are subject to change at the discretion of the Board of Directors.