Rasmuson Foundation

Breakup season in Alaska usually means potholes, mud, and puddles. But even in the gray, Alaskans create Bright Spots in their communities. In her latest letter, Gretchen reflects on how Alaskans create good in both big and small ways and introduces Bright Spots, our new storytelling campaign highlighting these moments across Alaska. Our first Bright Spot features Sitka Homeless Coalition and Hítx’i Sáani (“Little Houses”). 🔹 Read Gretchen’s letter: https://lnkd.in/g5bqKHpX 🔹 Read the Sitka Bright Spot story: https://lnkd.in/gJ9hjQ6y 🔹 Follow along on Instagram: https://lnkd.in/gYRWHV9c

Alaska artists, makers, and culture bearers! Applications for the Individual Artist Fellowship Awards are open until Tuesday, May 5, at 11:59 p.m. AKST. Get inspired! Kathryn Rousso, a two-time IAA recipient and textile artist from Ketchikan, shares her experience receiving a 2023 Fellowship and offers words of encouragement for fellow artists. Read the full Q&A on our website: https://lnkd.in/gaRtAvHj Check out Kathryn's website at: www.kathrynrousso.com

Curious about Sabbatical Awards? Our latest Funding Basics video breaks down this program, which has supported the rest and renewal of Alaska leaders for more than 20 years. Lindsay Hammer, program lead, walks through eligibility, application tips, grant guidelines, and more. Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/EAXqe3MiTxs Applications close June 16, 2026. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ggZSSSBF

Hello, Ketchikan! One of our program officers, and Sabbatical Award lead, will be in town next week. Join our Community Coffee Chat on Tuesday, April 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Island Brew Cafe. Stop by to connect, learn about Rasmuson Foundation grants and Sabbatical Awards, or say hello.

Hello, Kodiak! Have questions about our grantmaking, want to chat through a potential project, or just want to say hi? Come see us tomorrow, April 15, for our Community Coffee Chat☕ ! Date/Time: Wed., April 15 | 4 to 6 p.m. Location: Harborside Fly-by Coffee, 1715 Mill Bay Rd.

Curious about our Individual Artist Awards (IAA) program? Sheryl Saturnino Oliva, program officer and IAA lead, shares a high level overview of the program in our latest Bite Sized Funding Basics. Ready for the full Funding Basics? Check out our YouTube channel for a more in-depth video: https://lnkd.in/gudUxdpk 📢 Reminder! Distinguished Artist Award nominations close on April 20. This is your chance to nominate your favorite Alaska artist for this $50,000 award: https://lnkd.in/g8pDyFA5 IAA Fellowships close on May 5. These are $25,000 grants for up to 20 mid-career to mature Alaska artists. Open to individuals only: https://lnkd.in/gXj9MeFD

Rasmuson Foundation's Regional Convenings provide a virtual space for nonprofit, government, and tribal leaders from all over Alaska to gather and share community successes and challenges directly with the Foundation and with each other. In her most recent letter, President & CEO Gretchen Guess reflects on how these spaces transform from gatherings into collaborative spaces. The next round of Regional Convenings will be held on September 28. Read her full letter on our website: https://lnkd.in/gD7gK2UG *regional convening date has been updated*

Opportunity for Alaska nonprofit leaders and tribal administrators: applications for Rasmuson Foundation's Sabbatical Awards will open on April 14. Learn more by joining the Funding Basics webinar on April 17, noon to 1 p.m. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gmTPiFp8 Sabbatical Awards support the opportunity for nonprofit leaders and tribal administrators to rest, reflect, and recharge. Up to eight Alaska organizations will each receive $50,000 to support a sabbatical lasting 90 to 120 days. Beyond the gift of time, organizations also receive support through our partnership with The Foraker Group and the Alaska Tribal Administrators Association before, during, and after the sabbatical. Read our announcement on our website: https://lnkd.in/gHeZnn-i

Hello Juneau! Want to chat about our Individual Artist Awards? Join us for a community coffee chat on Friday, April 10, from noon - 2 p.m. at Juneau Arts & Humanities Council on Whittier St. Currently Open: 🔹 Fellowships: up to 20 awards of $25,000 for individual Alaska artists. Closes May 5, 11:59 p.m. AKST 🔸 Distinguished Artist Award: one $50,000 award for an Alaska artist. Closes April 20, 11:59 p.m. AKST Learn more about the Individual Artist Awards program: https://lnkd.in/gNxUERsH

Rasmuson team members recently headed north to Gulkana and shared these sights along the Richardson Highway. In 2025, teams visited 46 communities around the state.