Since 2008, the Alaska Community Foundation has had an affiliate program that supports 11 hyper-local grantmakers with the help of the Rasmuson Foundation. One of these affiliates is the Sitka Legacy Foundation (SLF), which serves a part of the state that’s most commonly known for fishing, kayaking and hosting an annual Alaska Day Festival. The town of Sitka, located in the Alaska Panhandle, has a population of just over 8,000 people, and grantmaking is somewhat limited in the area. However, tribal entities, local governments, schools and faith-based organizations should keep up with what SLF is doing and when the next opportunities for funding come up.
Interests and focus
SLF aims to help Sitka be a vital and healthy place for people to live and work, in part by offering residents and visitors a chance to get involved with local nonprofits and nurture the region’s heritage. SLF is interested in all types of work happening at the local level, including cultural expression, athletics, spiritual life, education, health and economic prosperity.
Rising grant amounts
In the past, SLF grants have often hovered around $1,000 each. But in a recent giving cycle, the funder announced that eligible applicants could request grants up to $5,000. All funding goes to programs in Sitka and on Baranof Island. However, the topics of interest are broad and encompass everything from health to education, arts and culture, conservation, community development and pandemic-related needs.
A growing grantmaker
SLF has been around since 2013 and has sought to grow its giving capacity over the years. For example, grants in 2020 more than doubled the value of awards given between 2014 and 2019. In 2020, the funder awarded 20 grants totaling $52,200. Examples of past grantees include the Sitka Conservation Society for Sitka Mutual Aid grocery assistance, Sitkans Against Family Violence for support during the holiday season and the Greater Sitka Arts Council for operating expenses.
To build up its long-term endowment, SLF is leveraging support from the Rasmuson Foundation and the Alaska Community Foundation, which provide challenge grants to SLF. Donations to SLF make the foundation eligible for up to $125,000 in matching grants toward its unrestricted endowment and up to $60,000 in matching grants toward its operating endowment. As of September 30, 2021, SLF reports a fund balance of around $670,000.
A shift toward basic needs
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen many community funders shift their attention to urgent needs, and SLF is no exception. The funder has been looking for ways to help Sitkans through the pandemic by awarding grants for senior centers, preschools, food assistance and other social services efforts. The city and borough of Sitka received $14 million in federal funding through the CARES Act for pandemic response, and SLF has worked with the city to use some of that funding to help local nonprofits. For instance, one pandemic-related effort involved healthy summer activities for Sitka teens who could benefit from socialization, opportunities for self-expression and mentorship.
Read more about this funder and others that give to local nonprofits in Alaska by browsing IP’s Northwest Funding Guide.