Legacy Grants is a grant from Rasmuson Foundation that awards of more than $250,000, for capital projects, programs of strategic importance, a. Inquiries may be initiated by an organization with a history of successful community collaboration and project management. Tips for your application Connect with a program officer before submitting a Letter of Inquiry.

Eligible applicants include Active 501(c)(3) organizations (not private foundations) or local/tribal governments operating in Alaska, with at least one year of 501(c)(3) status and one completed fiscal year of financials. Awards of More than $250,000 are available.

Legacy Grants | Rasmuson Foundation Talk to a Program Officer This is the Foundation’s large grant program, providing awards of more than $250,000, for capital projects, programs of strategic importance, and innovative solutions to issues of community or statewide importance. Inquiries may be initiated by an organization with a history of successful community collaboration and project management.

Tips for your application Connect with a program officer before submitting a Letter of Inquiry. We’re here to help! You will likely need multiple funding partners for large-scale projects such as new or renovated buildings.

The Foundation will consider first-in funding when appropriate. First-time applicants should start with a Tier 1 request, found here . Legacy grants fund significant capital projects such as new and renovated buildings, programs of strategic importance, and innovative solutions to issues of community or statewide significance.

We generally do not fund salaries or areas of government responsibility such as roads and K-12 schools. Be prepared to share information on your history, mission, services, and leadership. Organizations must be actively working in Alaska.

Eligible organizations will either be an established 501(c)(3) (and classified as “not a private foundation”), or a local or Tribal government. Faith-based organizations may be eligible if their project has broad community impact. For nonprofit organizations, the 501(c)(3) status must have been obtained at least one year prior to the date of application, and at least one completed fiscal year of financials should be available.

Individuals are not eligible. An organization may have one active Legacy or Community Support grant at the same time as a Tier 1 grant, provided they are for different projects. Rasmuson Foundation does not fund organizations that discriminate against any individual or class or individuals based upon any characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law.

What types of projects are funded? Legacy grants support capital projects, programs of strategic importance, and innovative solutions to issues of community or statewide significance.

Examples of projects: Construction, renovation, and furnishings Large-scale creative works Buildings, equipment, and vehicles Pilot projects or program expansion Some types of match funding Labor, shipping, installation, pre-development, and other costs should be included in project proposal budgets, to give a clear picture of the project scope.

We generally do not fund projects associated with core government functions such as roads, utilities, and public safety, K-12 education, deficits or debt reduction, endowments or scholarships, fundraising events or sponsorships, and reimbursement for items already purchased. What is the deadline for applying? Letters of Inquiry are accepted year-round and reviewed twice a year.

For priority review, LOIs must be submitted by: February 1 for potential consideration in June August 1 for potential consideration in December Please note that after receipt of a Letter of Inquiry, select organizations will be invited to present a full proposal. The completeness of the submitted materials, applicant responsiveness, and project readiness directly impact the timeline for consideration. How are applications evaluated?

Applications are evaluated on criteria including but not limited to the organization’s track record, fiscal and management capacity, an active board and experienced staff, sources of financial support, and the project benefit to the organization and the community it serves. The Foundation places a priority on organizations in which all board members contribute financially.

This expectation does not apply to local governments including tribal governments. Site visits are required for Legacy proposals and typically involve key staff and board members from the applicant organization. A site visit provides Foundation staff the opportunity to meet with an applicant to discuss the proposal in-depth.

It also gives Foundation staff the opportunity to view the applicant’s facility or location for future developments. The Foundation is rarely the first, the largest, or the only contributor to any Legacy project. The Foundation expects the community in which the project is located will provide significant financial support.

Is other funding required? Eligible projects generally require multiple funding sources. Strong proposals include community support such as individual contributions, business donations, other grants, or organizational savings.

Applicants are encouraged to secure some or most of needed funding, prior to applying for a Legacy grant. What makes a strong grant proposal? We support people with great ideas, projects with long-lasting benefits, and efforts that help Alaskans help others.

When reviewing Legacy requests, we require a deep understanding of community impact, organizational capacity, financial management, community partnerships and engagement, project feasibility and sustainability, and alignment with community and state needs. Applying for a Legacy begins with a conversation with a program officer and submission of a Letter of Inquiry. Select projects will receive a request for a proposal.

Pro formas, building plans, and other relevant supplemental materials may be requested for large projects. Invited proposals are reviewed by staff. Site visits are required and typically involve staff, board members from your organization, and, sometimes, community stakeholders.

These visits provide an opportunity for deeper understanding of proposals. Legacy requests are considered by the Foundation’s Board of Directors in June and December. The full process from the initial conversation and LOI through final review and award can take six to twelve months, depending on application completeness, responsiveness, and project readiness.

Connect with a Program Officer. We encourage potential grantees to call us before they begin. Fill out a form to connect with our grantmaking team.

We are here to help! Alaska’s one-stop resource center The Foraker Group is the statewide support organization for Alaska nonprofits with courses, consultations and guides. Get help with audits, board development, fundraising, communications and more.

Strengthening Organizations grants Explore grants that support leadership and organizational development awarded through our partner, The Alaska Community Foundation. Read about a community farm, an arts campus and a giant indoor sports field — just some of the way grantees have used their funds to advance their organization’s mission and help the community.

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