Rasmuson Foundation

Rasmuson Foundation is a US private foundation based in Anchorage, AK.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

Rasmuson Foundation describes itself as an Alaska-focused family philanthropy that empowers Alaskans to help each other. It offers grants to Alaska organisations and individuals, alongside programme-related investments and initiatives. Tier 1 and Tier 2 grants serve organisations actively working in Alaska: eligible applicants include established 501(c)(3) organisations, local or Tribal governments, and faith-based organisations whose projects have broad community impact. The 501(c)(3) status must have been obtained at least one year before applying. Tier 1 primarily supports small capital projects and one-time investments; Tier 2 supports significant capital projects, programmes of strategic importance and innovative solutions to community or statewide issues. The Foundation also funds individual artists to develop their artistry and supports nonprofit and Tribal leaders’ sabbaticals through grants made to their organisations. Its reviews consider community impact, capacity, financial management, partnerships, feasibility and sustainability, and it prioritises board members’ financial support, with an exception for local and Tribal governments.

Themes

• Arts and culture

Geographic Focus

Alaska.

What They Don't Fund

• Projects associated with core government functions such as roads, utilities and public safety
• K-12 education
• Deficits or debt reduction
• Endowments
• Scholarships
• Fundraising events
• Sponsorships
• Reimbursement for items already purchased
• Organizations that discriminate against any individual or class or individuals based upon any characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law
• Tier 1 Grants only: Individuals
• Tier 2 Grants only: Individuals; salaries
• Sabbatical Awards only: Medical leave; Tangible items and capital purchases; Professional development and education; Flight tickets for anyone other than the sabbatical recipient; Reservations and rentals that are not primarily for the sabbatical recipient and not made under the recipient’s name; academic study; An individual who already received a Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical Award is not eligible for an additional award; A sabbatical will not be awarded if the panel concludes that the organization would be unable to sustain itself in the leader’s absence

For Tier 2, start with a conversation with a program officer and submit a Letter of Inquiry; selected projects are asked for a full proposal.

Deadlines:

• Tier 1 applications are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Tier 2 Letters of Inquiry are accepted year-round and reviewed in two annual cycles.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 72% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
• Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 1,491 grants to organisations were $6,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

• Tier 1 reviews consider community impact, organisational capacity, financial management, partnerships and engagement, feasibility, sustainability, and demonstrated community and state needs.
• Tier 1 prioritises organisations whose board members financially support their work.
• Tier 2 evaluations consider track record, fiscal and management capacity, active boards and experienced staff, financial support, project readiness, sustainability, and community benefit.
• Tier 2 prioritises organisations whose board members all contribute financially, except local governments including Tribal governments.
• Tier 2 applicants are encouraged to contact a program officer before submitting a Letter of Inquiry.
• Full Tier 2 proposals require a site visit, typically involving key staff and board members from the applicant organisation.
• Tier 1 partners submit a completion form with photos and links to videos, interviews or news articles about the project.
• Sabbatical applications should demonstrate the executive leader and Tribal administrator’s readiness and need for a sabbatical.
• Sabbatical applications should show thoughtful organisational preparation and delegation.
• Sabbatical applications should demonstrate strong board alignment and leadership planning.