GCI Suicide Prevention Grant

GCI Suicide Prevention Grant is sponsored by Alaska Community Foundation. Supports suicide prevention initiatives in Alaska.

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Supporting Our Communities GCI Suicide Prevention Fund application period open through June 15 GCI has contributed more than $1M to organizations dedicated to saving lives, promoting mental wellness and making connections ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The application period for the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund is open through June 15 at 5 p. m.

Designed to address Alaska’s ongoing suicide prevention crisis, the fund supports local initiatives focused on reducing the state’s suicide rate — one of the highest in the nation.

The annual grant program, which is administered by the Alaska Community Foundation , has contributed more than $1 million since 2016 to community‑based organizations across Alaska that are working to promote mental wellness, strengthen early intervention efforts, and prevent suicide through connection, training, and support.

“The impacts of suicide are felt across families, schools, and entire communities,” said Tiffany Vassar, GCI Senior Manager of Contributions & Events. “Through the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund , we’re proud to support local organizations that are building connection, reducing stigma, and helping people recognize when someone may be struggling.

When communities are equipped with the tools to reach out early, they create hope and pathways to care that can make a real difference. ” Across Alaska, GCI Suicide Prevention Fund grantees are strengthening relationships that encourage early help‑seeking and build more connected, supportive environments — particularly for young people.

At Seward Prevention Coalition , the Sources of Strength program empowers students and adult advisors to lead peer‑driven prevention efforts in middle and high schools.

“Sources of Strength helps shift school culture from ‘handle it alone’ to ‘we look out for each other,’ and that message matters deeply for young people, especially during high-stress times of the school year,” said Katie Cornwell, Executive Director of Seward Prevention Coalition.

“By weaving strengths-based messages into everyday school life, students are seeing trusted adults more visibly, hearing regular reminders that it is okay to ask for help, and experiencing more moments of connection and support. In Seward, this work has helped normalize conversations about mental health, reduce stigma, and strengthen the idea that supporting youth well-being is something we do together as a whole school community.

” Statewide, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska is embedding suicide prevention into its mentoring model by strengthening staff readiness and expanding access to trusted resources for youth, families, and volunteers.

“After completing Youth Mental Health First Aid training, our staff feel more equipped to support mentors and young people in navigating difficult conversations around mental health,” said Jill Richardson, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska.

“At the heart of our work are trusted relationships, and this training strengthens those connections by giving adults the tools to listen, respond, and show up when it matters most. Support from the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund is helping us deepen that impact across the communities we serve.

” In schools across the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD), student peer leaders are helping reduce stigma and strengthen connections among students and staff. “The project has fostered a culture of openness, gratitude, and mutual care, reducing stigma and encouraging early help‑seeking behavior,” said Melissa Linton, Curriculum Coordinator with Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.

“Peer leaders have become more confident in supporting classmates and promoting positive mental health messages, and schools are seeing stronger connections among students and staff. ” Eligible applicants include nonprofits and equivalent organizations such as Tribal entities, schools, churches, and municipal programs that are actively working to support mental wellness and prevent suicide.

Organizations and individuals seeking more information about suicide prevention efforts can find additional resources and free trainings listed on the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund webpage . The application period is open now through June 15 at 5 p. m.

Interested organizations can find more information and apply at: https://alaskacf. org/prevention . Headquartered in Alaska, GCI provides data, mobile, voice and managed services to consumer, business, government, and carrier customers throughout Alaska, serving more than 200 communities.

The company has invested $4. 7 billion in its Alaska network and facilities over the past 45 years. Through a combination of ambitious network initiatives, GCI continues to expand and strengthen its statewide network infrastructure to deliver the best possible connectivity to its customers and close the digital divide in Alaska.

Learn more about GCI at www. gci. com .

GCI is an independent publicly traded company (Nasdaq: GLIBA, GLIBK, GLIBB) Learn more at https://www. gciliberty. com/ .