As we say goodbye to 2012, the staff of Rasmuson Foundation counts down our “top ten” reflections on the year.

# 10: Four Alaska arts organizations were selected as ArtPlace grantees: Alaska Native Heritage Center; Out North; Alaska Arts Southeast; and, Anchorage Museum. Over $1 million in total grants were awarded to these organizations.

Kuskokwim River

# 9: Eight foundations from outside Alaska were represented on the 13th annual Alaska Grantmakers Tour. The participants’ sampling of Alaska experiences included getting stuck on the Kuskokwim River outside Napaskiak and rescued by a Russian Orthodox priest.

# 8: It was a great year for making new acquaintances, as 23 organizations received their first-ever grant from the Foundation.

# 7: Chairman Ed Rasmuson visited Fairbanks, Kodiak, Sitka and Ketchikan to host round table discussions about the potential for community foundation affiliates and the responsibility of giving back to Alaska.

# 6: A record number of small grants (133) and dollars (over $2.5 million) were awarded through the Tier 1 program.

# 5: Pick.Click.Give topped $2.2 million in individual contributions to nonprofits across Alaska. Over 400 worthy causes were supported in 2012 by generous Alaskans who chose to donate all or a portion of their permanent fund dividend.

# 4: Our annual staff retreat was held in the Southeast towns of Juneau, Haines, and Klukwan. The visit to Juneau included a few moments with Governor Sean Parnell who graciously welcomed us to the state capitol for an informal roundtable discussion.

Back row: Jayson Smart, Jordan Marshall, Marian Hunter, Diane Kaplan, Anthony Mallott, Jeff Baird, Ian Dutton, Bridget Brunson, and Chris Perez. Front row: Committee Member Bill Corbus, Sharity Sommer, Carmen Goodwin, Governor Sean Parnell, Sammye Pokryfki, Sandra Miller, Committee Member Sharon Kelly, and Aleesha Towns-Bain.

# 3: The Foundation renewed its multi-year commitment to two major initiatives: $8.5 million is dedicated to the Arts & Culture Initiative, and $2 million to the Community Asset Building Initiative to support the growth of community foundations in Alaska.

# 2: Grantmaking milestones included topping $200 million in total grants since 1955 and $10 million in program-related investments (PRI) since 2006.

Mary Louise Rasmuson

# 1: The first-ever all-female honor guard at the funeral of Mary Louise Rasmuson, who passed away in 2012, highlighted the opportunities she made available for women in military service.

Rasmuson Foundation staff members are proud to partner with the nonprofit sector in Alaska. We are excited to see what 2013 brings. Happy New Year!

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