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Rasmuson Foundation

Annual Giving
$29.3M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo

Rasmuson Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $29.3 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 90 days (Tier 1); 3-12 months (larger grants)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $250,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Alaska only
  • Total Assets: $760.8 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 301 West Northern Lights Blvd, Suite 601, Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone: 907-297-2700 | Toll-free in Alaska: 877-366-2700

Email: info@rasmuson.org | grants@rasmuson.org

Website: https://rasmuson.org

Grant Portal: https://grants.rasmuson.org

Pre-Application Support: Applicants are encouraged to discuss project ideas with Foundation program staff before applying. Contact program officers for guidance.

Overview

Founded in 1955 by Jenny Olson and Edward Anton Rasmuson under a declaration of trust, the Rasmuson Foundation is Alaska's largest private foundation with assets exceeding $760 million as of 2024. The foundation's mission is straightforward: "to empower Alaskans to help each other." Since its founding, the foundation has grown significantly—particularly under the 27-year tenure of former CEO Diane Kaplan, during which assets expanded from $5.8 million to over $730 million. In 2023, the foundation made its largest annual grant distribution in history at $35 million. Following a leadership transition and strategic pause in late 2023 to early 2024, the foundation resumed grantmaking in July 2024 under President and CEO Gretchen Guess with enhanced programs and increased award amounts. The foundation now invests approximately $25 million annually in grants and awarded 706 grants in 2024. Current strategic priorities include housing and homelessness, healthcare access, arts and culture, community development, civil rights, Alaska Native language and culture preservation, and tribal governance.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Tier 1 Grants: $5,000 - $35,000 (most awards: $5,000 - $20,000) Fast-track grants for small capital projects, technology upgrades, and vehicle purchases for Alaska-based nonprofits, Tribes, and local governments. Applications accepted year-round with rolling review and 90-day decision timeline. First-time applicants are encouraged to start with Tier 1 before seeking larger awards. Up to 15% of awards may cover indirect and administrative costs.

Community Support Grants: $35,000 - $250,000 Mid-range grants for capital and programmatic projects with significant community benefit. Organizations must have received prior Rasmuson Foundation funding before applying. Applications reviewed quarterly (deadlines: March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1). Decision timeline: 3-6 months for capital projects; 6-12 months for programmatic requests. Requires demonstration of 100% board giving.

Legacy Grants: $250,000+ The foundation's largest awards for transformative, large-scale projects. Requires letter of inquiry submitted by February 1 or August 1 for priority review. Full process takes 6-12 months from initial contact to decision. Contact with program officers required before applying. Site visits conducted during review. Multiple funding sources and community partnerships essential.

Individual Artist Awards

  • Project Awards: $10,000 (for early- to mid-career Alaska artists; applications open in alternating years, next in 2027)
  • Fellowships: $25,000 (for mid- to late-career Alaska artists; applications open in alternating years, next in 2026)
  • Distinguished Artist Award: $50,000 (annual recognition for established Alaska artists)

Leadership Sabbatical Grants: $50,000 Covers salary and expenses during leadership sabbaticals for nonprofit CEOs or tribal executives to support personal growth and renewal.

Major Initiatives Catalytic long-term investments creating transformative systems-level change through multi-sector partnerships. Recent examples include $5 million investment in housing and homelessness (extended through 2030, total $30 million since 2018) and $2 million for "Tending the Future" to expand child care access.

Priority Areas

The foundation supports broad community benefit across Alaska, with emphasis on:

  • Housing and homelessness solutions
  • Healthcare access and infrastructure
  • Arts, culture, and creative works
  • Community development and infrastructure
  • Alaska Native language and culture preservation
  • Tribal governance capacity
  • Civil rights initiatives
  • Capital projects (construction, renovation, equipment, technology, vehicles)
  • Historic preservation
  • Park and trail improvements
  • Program expansion and pilot initiatives

What They Don't Fund

  • Government core functions: roads, utilities, public safety, K-12 education
  • Deficits or debt reduction
  • Endowments or scholarships
  • Fundraising events or sponsorships
  • Reimbursement for items already purchased
  • Projects outside Alaska
  • Organizations that discriminate based on protected characteristics

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership

Board Chair: Adam Gibbons (assumed role in 2021 following the passing of longtime chairman Ed Rasmuson in 2022)

Board Vice Chair: Natasha Von Imhof

The board consists of 13 members—seven from the Rasmuson family and six from communities around Alaska—offering diverse expertise. The board meets twice yearly to discuss strategy, investments, and grant decisions.

Board Members: Aaron Schutt, Adam Gibbons, Anthony Mallott, Cathryn Rasmuson, Edward Rasmuson, Jeff Cook, Judy Rasmuson, Lile Gibbons, Linda Leary, Matt Hirschfeld, Natasha Von Imhof, and Togi Letuligasenoa.

Executive Leadership

President & CEO: Gretchen Guess (assumed role in 2023/2024 following leadership transition)

Chief Program Officer: Tasha Pineda

Director of Finance: William (Bill) Van Couwenberghe

Director of Communications: Gary Scott

Director of Talent Management: Carmen Goodwin

Director of Board, CEO, and Family Engagement: Jess Haley

The foundation employs a staff of 26 including program officers, grants management, communications, and operations personnel.

Leadership Quotes

Former CEO Diane Kaplan, who led the foundation from 1995 to 2023, emphasized the foundation's enduring mission: "We still have a very broad mission statement; we're still all about improving the quality of life for Alaskans — that was as true in 1955 as it is today." She also highlighted founder Ed Rasmuson's philosophy: "As Ed Rasmuson used to say, 'There are all kinds of ways of giving back.'"

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Portal: All applications submitted through SmartSimple at https://grants.rasmuson.org (new users must register first)

Alternative: Paper applications available only for organizations without reliable internet access. Contact 907-297-2700 or grants@rasmuson.org.

Pre-Application Consultation: Strongly encouraged for all applicants. The foundation states: "We want to help you be successful." Contact program officers to discuss project ideas before submitting applications.

Application Types:

  • Tier 1: One-step online application, rolling review
  • Community Support: Full online application through SmartSimple
  • Legacy: Letter of Inquiry followed by invitation to full application

Decision Timeline

Tier 1 Grants: Typically 90 days from submission of complete application

Community Support Grants:

  • Capital projects: 3-6 months
  • Programmatic requests: 6-12 months

Legacy Grants: 6-12 months from initial contact to award decision

Decision timeframes depend on project scope, application completeness, and application timing within review cycles.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 706 grants in 2024, 705 in 2023, 568 in 2022, 713 in 2021, and 657 in 2020. Specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed. The Individual Artist Awards program is described as "highly competitive with hundreds of applications received each cycle."

In 2024, one out of every three Tier 1 awards went to first-time recipients, suggesting openness to new applicants.

Reapplication Policy

For Grant Recipients: Organizations must wait 12 months from project closing before applying for a new award. Individual Artist Award recipients must wait three years before reapplying.

For Unsuccessful Applicants: No waiting period specified for unsuccessful applicants. They may reapply at any time but should consider incorporating feedback received.

Application Success Factors

Organizational Readiness

100% Board Giving: The foundation prioritizes organizations where all board members contribute financially, demonstrating leadership commitment. This is required for Community Support and Legacy grants (nonprofit organizations only; not applicable to government or Tribal entities). As the foundation states: "board giving demonstrates that the organization's leaders believe in the importance and potential of the mission and work."

Financial Management: Organizations must demonstrate fiscal capacity with current financials and at least one completed fiscal year. Strong financial health and management capacity are key evaluation criteria.

Track Record: The foundation evaluates applications based on the organization's proven track record and experience with successful project management.

Community Engagement

Partnerships and Collaboration: Successful projects involve engaged partners and strong community support. The foundation emphasizes: "Successful projects involve engaged partners and strong community support."

Multiple Funding Sources: Strong proposals demonstrate community support through diverse funding including individual contributions, business donations, other grants, or organizational savings. For Legacy grants, applicants should secure some or most needed funding prior to applying.

Project Planning

Pre-Development Work: Partners are expected to engage in pre-development conversations and strategic planning before launching major projects. This includes planning for additional funding, creating sustainability plans, and engaging partners throughout the process.

Complete Budgets: Include all costs—labor, shipping, installation, and other expenses—to provide a clear picture of project scope.

Clear Articulation: Applications should clearly articulate why the request is an organizational need and how it will satisfy that need.

Strategic Approach

Pathway to Larger Grants: First-time applicants should start with Tier 1 grants before pursuing Community Support or Legacy grants. This allows the foundation to establish a relationship and assess organizational capacity.

Alignment with Priorities: Projects should align with foundation focus areas and demonstrate broad community impact, particularly for faith-based organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Start small, build relationships: First-time applicants should apply for Tier 1 grants ($5,000-$35,000) before seeking larger awards. This 90-day fast-track process allows the foundation to assess your organization's capacity.

  • Board giving is non-negotiable: For Community Support and Legacy grants, nonprofits must demonstrate 100% board financial participation. This is a top priority reflecting leadership commitment to the mission.

  • Engage program officers early: The foundation encourages pre-application consultations and states they want to help applicants succeed. Use this resource to strengthen your proposal before submission.

  • Show community support through multiple funding sources: Strong proposals demonstrate partnerships and diverse financial support including individual gifts, business donations, and other grants—not just foundation funding.

  • Plan thoroughly before applying: Complete pre-development work including strategic planning, sustainability plans, and securing additional funding sources. Include comprehensive budgets with all project costs.

  • Alaska-only focus with broad community impact: All funded projects must actively serve Alaskans, with preference for initiatives demonstrating significant community benefit and collaborative partnerships.

  • Decision timeline varies by grant size: Plan accordingly—Tier 1 takes 90 days; Community Support takes 3-12 months; Legacy grants take 6-12 months from first contact to decision.

References

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