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The Rasmuson Foundation

Annual Giving
$27.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $20-35 million
  • Decision Time: 3 months for Tier 1; 3-12 months for larger grants
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $35,000+ (up to $250,000+)
  • Geographic Focus: Alaska statewide
  • Total Assets: ~$760-832 million
  • Historical Impact: Nearly 11,000 projects funded with over $533 million since 1955

Contact Details

Website: www.rasmuson.org Email: info@rasmuson.org Phone: 907-297-2700 Address: Anchorage, AK

The foundation encourages applicants to schedule time with program officers for guidance and support throughout the application process.

Overview

The Rasmuson Foundation was established in 1955 by Jenny Rasmuson with a $3,000 endowment to honor her late husband, E.A. Rasmuson, owner of the National Bank of Alaska. The foundation's assets grew dramatically in 2000 when Elmer Rasmuson and his wife, Mary Louise, bequeathed $440 million to the foundation, expanding its assets from $9 million to over half a billion dollars. Today, with assets of approximately $760-832 million and annual giving of $20-35 million, the Rasmuson Foundation stands as Alaska's largest private foundation. Under the leadership of President & CEO Gretchen Guess (appointed in 2023), the foundation's mission is "to empower Alaskans to help each other" with a vision of an Alaska where people, cultures, and communities thrive. In 2024, following a strategic planning process, the foundation restructured its grant programs to increase award sizes, expedite timelines, and broaden eligibility, with an enhanced focus on housing and homelessness, Indigenous communities, and supporting Alaska-based nonprofits, tribal organizations, and government entities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Tier 1 Grants: $5,000 - $35,000 (increased from $25,000 maximum in 2024)

  • Primarily supports small capital projects, vehicle purchases, and technology upgrades
  • One-step online application process
  • Rolling basis with decisions typically within 90 days
  • Most awards range from $5,000 to $20,000
  • In 2024, 50 Tier 1 awards totaling $1.26 million were distributed to 26 Alaska communities

Community Support Grants: $35,000 - $250,000 (new program launched in 2024)

  • Capital projects (construction, renovation, land acquisition, major equipment): reviewed quarterly, decisions within 3-6 months
  • Programmatic projects with broad community impact: reviewed twice yearly by the Board, decisions within 6-12 months
  • Supports projects with significant community reach and strategic importance

Legacy Grants: $250,000+ (formerly Tier 2 grants)

  • Funds significant capital projects including new and renovated buildings
  • Supports programs of strategic importance and innovative solutions to community or statewide issues
  • Board reviews in June and December
  • Full process from initial conversation and Letter of Inquiry through final review takes 6-12 months

Individual Artist Awards: Approximately 10 awards annually (reopened in 2024)

  • Fellowships will open for applications in 2026
  • Project Awards will open for applications in 2027
  • Artists who receive awards must wait three years before reapplying

Priority Areas

The Rasmuson Foundation has a robust history of funding a wide variety of projects and causes across Alaska, including:

  • Housing and Homelessness (major focus area as of 2024)
  • Alaska's Tribal Nations and Indigenous Groups (named priority)
  • Arts and Culture (including language and cultural preservation)
  • Health Care
  • Economic Development
  • Human Services
  • Sports and Recreation
  • Environment
  • Education (excluding K-12 core functions)
  • Human Rights
  • Public Safety
  • Science
  • Community Development

Recent grants have emphasized infrastructure needs (boilers, septic systems), language revitalization, and projects serving first-time recipients in rural Alaska communities.

What They Don't Fund

The Rasmuson Foundation generally does not fund:

  • Projects associated with core government functions (roads, utilities, public safety)
  • K-12 education
  • Deficits or debt reduction
  • Endowments
  • Scholarships
  • Fundraising events
  • Sponsorships
  • Reimbursement for items already purchased
  • Salaries (generally)
  • Individual applicants (not eligible)
  • Organizations that discriminate based on any characteristic protected by federal or state law

Eligibility Requirement: Only established 501(c)(3) organizations (classified as "not a private foundation"), local governments, or Tribal governments are eligible. Faith-based organizations may be eligible if their project has broad community impact.

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Gretchen Guess (appointed 2023)

  • Former Alaska state legislator (House and Senate, 2001-2007)
  • Former President of Anchorage School Board
  • Over a decade of experience in healthcare management
  • Unanimously approved by board members after a monthslong search
  • Only the second CEO in the Foundation's 70-year history

Board Chair: Adam Gibbons Vice Chair: Natasha Von Imhof

Chief Program Officer: Tasha Pineda

Leadership Philosophy: Gretchen Guess states, "Our mission is to empower Alaskans to help each other." She emphasizes that "Alaskans are resourceful and resilient, qualities I love but wish we wouldn't have to prove as often." Regarding the foundation's grantmaking, she notes, "Each of these projects represent the strength and power of Alaskans coming together to serve Alaska." Guess has been focused on listening and learning through community conversations, stating that her "role at Rasmuson is to think about Alaska every day and determine how our foundation can make a difference."

The foundation completed a board-led strategic planning process in June 2024, setting mission, vision, values, strategies, and priorities for the next three years.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Tier 1 Grants:

  • One-step online application through foundation website
  • New users need to register an account
  • No deadline - applications accepted year-round on rolling basis
  • Foundation provides guidelines and sample applications
  • Applicants encouraged to schedule time with program officers for help

Community Support Grants:

  • Separate application processes for capital vs. programmatic projects
  • Capital projects reviewed quarterly
  • Programmatic projects reviewed twice yearly

Legacy Grants:

  • Initial conversation with foundation staff recommended
  • Letter of Inquiry required
  • Full applications reviewed by Board in June and December

General Application Components:

  • Organization introduction and background
  • Financial documentation
  • Board financial giving information
  • Project-specific questions covering timeline, scope, community needs, and maintenance plans
  • Demonstration of community support
  • Additional funding sources (local contributions, other grants, organizational savings)

Decision Timeline

Tier 1 Grants: Decisions typically announced within 90 days of submission of complete application

Community Support Grants:

  • Capital projects: 3-6 months from submission
  • Programmatic projects: 6-12 months from submission

Legacy Grants: 6-12 months from initial conversation through final review

Notification Methods: Applicants are notified of decisions directly by the foundation.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However:

  • In 2024, the foundation awarded 50 Tier 1 grants out of applications received
  • One out of every three 2024 Tier 1 awards went to first-time recipients
  • Approximately 10 Individual Artist Awards are issued annually
  • The foundation encourages applicants by stating they want to "help you be successful"

Reapplication Policy

For Successful Applicants:

  • Tier 1 grant recipients must wait 12 months from project closing before applying for a new award
  • Individual Artist Award recipients must wait three years before reapplying (e.g., 2024 recipients eligible again in 2027)

For Unsuccessful Applicants: The foundation does not explicitly specify restrictions for unsuccessful applicants to reapply. With rolling applications for Tier 1 grants, organizations can resubmit revised proposals. Applicants are encouraged to contact program officers for feedback and guidance.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Foundation

The foundation emphasizes that "writing a grant is a specific skill that's learnable, and practice leads directly to improvement." They have created extensive resources including example applications, workshops, and video walkthroughs to help applicants succeed.

Key Success Factors:

  • Strong Community Support: The foundation looks for demonstrated community support of the organization overall
  • Feasibility and Realistic Budgets: Projects should be well-planned with achievable timelines and realistic budgets
  • Community Needs Alignment: Clear articulation of how the project addresses specific community needs
  • Maintenance Plans: For capital projects, include plans for ongoing maintenance and sustainability
  • Complete Applications: Ensure all required documentation and information is included
  • Multiple Funding Sources: Demonstrate financial sustainability through diverse funding (not relying solely on one grant)

What They Look For

For Individual Artist Awards, panelists consider:

  • Feasibility and strength of proposed project
  • Quality of work samples
  • Artist statement and experience
  • Realistic budget
  • Demonstrated success with prior similar projects
  • Discipline, career stage, and potential for artistic growth
  • Application completeness

Recent Grant Examples

2024 Tier 1 Recipients:

  • Four Winds Resource Center in Haines: $4,000 for Community Tool Library
  • Native Village of Gambell: $25,025 for language revitalization assessment survey (first grant to St. Lawrence Island)
  • Multiple communities: Infrastructure projects (boilers, septic systems)

2024 Major Grants:

  • $5.75 million supporting University of Alaska, housing initiatives, and cultural revitalization projects
  • $6.1 million approved at June board meeting for strategic investments

Standing Out

  • First-Time Applicants Welcome: One-third of 2024 Tier 1 awards went to organizations receiving their first Foundation grant
  • Rural and Remote Communities: The foundation actively seeks to serve all Alaska communities, including remote locations
  • Indigenous Focus: Projects serving tribal nations and Indigenous groups are priority areas
  • Innovative Solutions: Legacy grants specifically support innovative approaches to community or statewide challenges
  • Early Engagement: Contact program officers early in the process for guidance and to ensure alignment with foundation priorities
  • Early Review Option: For Individual Artist Awards, applicants can submit early (by Feb. 14) for advance review of entire application

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Focus is Absolute: Only Alaska-based organizations, tribal governments, and local governments are eligible - this is non-negotiable
  • Start with Tier 1 for Relationship Building: If you're a first-time applicant, consider starting with a smaller Tier 1 grant ($5,000-$35,000) to establish a relationship with the foundation before pursuing larger awards
  • Leverage Program Officer Expertise: The foundation actively encourages applicants to schedule consultations with program officers - take advantage of this resource for guidance and to ensure your project aligns with their priorities
  • Demonstrate Community Support: Beyond the project itself, show broad community backing and engagement - this is a key evaluation factor across all grant programs
  • Plan for the Long Timeline: Especially for larger grants, begin conversations 6-12 months before you need funding, and maintain regular communication throughout the process
  • Emphasize Housing, Indigenous Communities, or Cultural Preservation: These are current strategic priorities following the 2024 strategic planning process
  • Show Multiple Funding Sources: Include other grants, local contributions, or organizational savings to demonstrate financial sustainability and broad support
  • Focus on Evergreen Infrastructure: Basic needs like boilers, septic systems, and technology upgrades have proven successful, especially in rural communities where such infrastructure directly impacts community wellbeing

References

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