Rasmuson Foundation Community Support Grants

Rasmuson Foundation Community Support Grants is sponsored by Rasmuson Foundation. Supports nonprofit organizations in Alaska with grants up to $35,000 for community projects.

Community Support Grants | Rasmuson Foundation Talk to a Program Officer What are Community Support grants? Community Support grants fund capital projects and projects with broad community impact. Awards range from $35,000 to $250,000.

Grant proposals may be initiated by an organization with a history of successful community collaboration and project management. Our one-step application for capital projects are reviewed quarterly and typically receive a decision within three to six months. Programmatic (non-capital) requests are reviewed twice a year by the Board and receive a decision within six to twelve months.

Organizations may only have one active Community Support or Legacy grant active at a time. Tips For Your Application Review our program guidelines before submitting an application Community Support grants are typically for organizations that have received a past award or grant from the Foundation. First-time applicants are encouraged to start with a Tier 1 proposal .

Rasmuson Foundation funds buildings, equipment, furnishings, technology, vehicles, park improvements, and similar projects. We generally do not fund salaries or areas of government responsibility such as roads and K-12 schools. You will need funding partners for projects of a large size and scope.

The Foundation prefers to see funding sources secured prior to reviewing proposals. Depending on the project, the Foundation may opt to provide early, catalytic support. Be prepared to share information on your history, mission, services, and leadership.

Organizations must have current financials and nonprofits must demonstrate 100% board giving to qualify for a Community Support grant. All about Community Support awards Who is eligible for a Community Support grant? Community Support grants are typically for organizations that have received a past award or grant from the Foundation.

First-time applicants are encouraged to start with a Tier 1 proposal . Organizations may have one active Community Support or Legacy grant at the same time as an active Tier 1, 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 eligible for Community Support awards? Community Support grants are for capital and non-capital projects with broad community impact.

Some examples of eligible projects: Construction, renovation, and furnishings Equipment, tools, and technology upgrades Historic preservation projects Playgrounds, parks, and trail improvements Pilot projects or program expansion Some types of match funding All labor, shipping, installation, and other costs should be included in project proposal budgets, to give a clear picture of the project scope.

Up to 15% of a Community Support grant may be allocated toward indirect and administrative costs. 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. Can I talk to someone at the Foundation about my application?

Yes. If you have any questions about the guidelines or application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We want to help you be successful.

Schedule time with us. When is the deadline to apply? Applications are accepted year-round with capital requests approved quarterly and programmatic requests approved twice a year.

The scope of the project, completeness of the application, and application timing within planned review cycles may impact the length of review. Planned review cycles for capital projects are listed below. Complete application received by: Review and decision anticipated by: *Board approval is required for Community Support requests that are programmatic or from entities that have not previously been awarded a grant.

Decisions are made in June or December, depending on the completion of due diligence. Eligible organizations may request up to $250,000. Capital requests may include up to 15% of the budget to support administrative costs.

An organization may have one active Community Support or Legacy grant at the same time as a Tier 1, provided they are for different projects. Is matching funding required? We do look for strong community support of the organization overall, and applicants often include additional funding sources such as local contributions, other grants, or organizational savings.

Why is board giving important? We prioritize applications from organizations with board members who financially support its work. Board members are fiduciary stewards helping ensure the financial stability of the organization.

Board giving demonstrates that the organization’s leaders believe in the importance and potential of the mission and work. Meaningful financial contributions may look different for each individual. This expectation does not apply to local or Tribal governments.

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 Community Support requests, we consider community impact, organizational capacity, financial management, community partnerships and engagement, project feasibility, sustainability, and alignment with community and state needs.

What are the reporting requirements for partners? Once a project is complete, recipients submit an online form to briefly describe how the project went. Receipts are not required.

The form requests photos and links to videos, interviews, or news articles about the project so that we can celebrate your success. Community Support grants are a one-step online application found here . After a proposal is completed, staff will review the materials, follow up with questions, and schedule a site visit if appropriate for the project.

An award decision for Community Support grants may take three to 12 months, dependent on the completeness of the application and type of funding requested. Apply for a Community Support Grant Apply online through the link below. Applications are managed through SmartSimple.

If you are a new user, you will need to register your account first. If you are not sure where to start, fill out a form to connect with our grantmaking team. We are here to help!

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