This presentation was given by Program Associate Jeff Baird Jan. 6, 2012.

1. Rasmuson Foundation
Working as a catalyst
to promote a better life
for Alaskans.

2. Tier 1 Training Workshop
Jeff Baird
jbaird@rasmuson.org

4. Tier 1 Grants
Requests of up to $25,000:
• Applications accepted and reviewed year-round;
• Awards made monthly;
• Includes capital, technology, capacity building, program expansion and creative
works.

5. 2011 Grantmaking
 90 Tier 1 grants awarded;
 Over $1.6 million awarded to Alaska-based organizations. ( a $17,777
average);
 About 60% of grants made to organizations outside of Anchorage.

6. Goals for 2012
 Increase number of awards made by 25%;
 Increase total amount awarded to $2.23 million.

7. Who we fund
Alaska-based 501(c)(3)s or government agencies with year-plus of financials
Who We Don’t Fund:
 Generally, schools and churches
 Individuals (except for Individual Artist Awards);
 Organizations planning to redistribute funds;
 Politically-affiliated organizations;
 Discriminatory organizations;

8. What we don’t fund
 Core government functions such as roads, utilities, and public safety;
 Operating expenses;
 Deficits, or debt reduction;
 Endowments;
 Scholarships;
 Fund-raising events or sponsorships;
 Reimbursement for items already purchased;
 Emerging technologies.

9. Evaluation Criteria
 Organizational track record;
 Fiscal and management capacity;
 An active board;
 Community support and benefit;
 Sources of financial support;
 Project implementation and sustainability feasibility.

10. How it works
 Grants are processed within 90 days;
 You can have 1 open Tier 1 grant at a time;
 Project has to be completed within 1 year – no extensions!
 Easy reporting process

11. Things to think about:
 100% board giving
 Community benefit
 Funding diversity
 Right request? Operating expense vs. capital project
 Project ready to go
 Call first

12. Types of Grants: Capital Grants
 Great way to start a relationship with the Foundation;
 80% (65) of the 90 grants were for capital/renovations.

13. Bunnell Street Arts Center
• Description: Gallery improvements and furniture
Application Strengths:
• Volunteer labor significantly lowered project cost;
• Respected organization
Tip: Lease terms – spell them out.
Project Budget:
Rasmuson Foundation $9,000
Old Inlet Trading Post $5,000
Volunteer labor $2,800
Bunnell Street Arts Center $1,200
Total Project $18,000

14. Girdwood Nordic Ski Club
Trail construction
•Secured funding: $351,929
• Rasmuson Contribution: $18,000
Application Strength
• Amount of work done prior to Rasmuson ask;
• Well-planned application.
Tip: Explain how you will maintain/sustain project.
Funding Sources Contacted
Girdwood 20/20 Anchorage Trail Care
Anchorage HLB American Hiking Society
Individuals Conoco Phillips
State of Alaska Parks & Rec GCI
Anchorage Parks & Rec REI
National Park Service Atwood Foundation
Moose’s Tooth Wells Fargo
Alpine Air Alaska U.S. Forest Service RAC

15. Kenai Peninsula Food Bank
Renovation of Fireweed Diner’s kitchen
Application Strength:
• Organization provides obvious benefits to Alaskans;
• Long history with the Foundation. First grant made in
1997 for $3,300.
Tip: $25,000 awards are the exception.
Project Budget:
Rasmuson Foundation: $25,000
Total Project $112,000

16. Ionia
Installation of sprinkler system
Application Strengths:
• Support from trusted partner and industry
expert;
• Well-articulated need
Tip: Is there any way to partner on a project with
another community organization?
Project Budget:
Rasmuson Foundation: $20,092
Mental Health Trust: $21,000
Ionia: $8,950
Total Project $56,142

17. Technology Requests
1. Start by calling staff;
2. The Foundation will pay for technology consultant
3. Applicant can submit a request after technology strategy/plan adopted.

18. Alaska Museum of Natural History
Technology upgrades
Application Strength:
• Technology replacement fund designated
• 5-year plan in place
Tip: Technology consulting takes time and
resources. Do you have enough of both take
advantage of it?
Project Budget:
Rasmuson Foundation $20,943
Museum $3,130
Total Project $24,073

19. Capacity building
 Funding to help organizations address critical internal issues.
 Examples include: Strategic/business planning, board development,
feasibility studies, audience development.

20. Alaska SeaLife Center
Support to attend out-state conference
Application Strengths:
 Request contributed to ASC’s pursuit of field
accreditation.
 Had significant dollars designated for travel and personnel development.
Tip: Request should be part of a development strategy. We do not like “stand
alone” requests.
Project Budget:
Rasmuson Foundation $5,000
SeaLife Center $3,339
Total Project $8,339

21. Creative Works
 Funding to support the creation and publication of films,
documentaries, books, exhibits and other cultural works.
 Strong Alaska-specific context

22. University of Alaska Foundation
University of Alaska Press
Printing expenses to publish a book titled "My
Wrangell Mountains”.
Application Strength:
 Unique subject matter
Tip: Requests commonly have an educational
component
Project Budget:
Rasmuson Foundation: $25,000
UA Press: $10,050
Total Project $35,050

23. Program Expansion
 Funds to support growth into areas related to expertise;
 Broad impact.

24. Anchorage Museum
Description: True North Exhibit
Application Strengths:
• Natural fit with what museum is already doing
• Sector leader
Tip: These should be initiated by established
organization
Project Budget:
Rasmuson Foundation: $19,000
Alaska Air $4,000
BP $10,000
Alaska Design Forum $5,000
Total Project $38,000

26. Rasmuson Online

41. Connect with us

42. Copies of this presentation:
Questions?
www.slideshare.net/rasmusonfoundation
 Call us: Jeff Baird, 297-2831
Rasmuson Foundation
www.rasmuson.org
301 West Northern Lights Blvd.
Suite 400
Anchorage, AK 99503
(907) 297-2700
(877) 366-2700 (toll-free within Alaska)
rasmusonfdn@rasmuson.org