News
The Seward Community Foundation has continued to be busy throughout the year and is excited to tell you about the progress that’s been made. Click here for the Summer 2011 Newsletter, and read on for more news. Please remember your favorite Community Foundation while applying for your 2012 Alaska PFD. Thank you!
Seward Area Nonprofit Reception
All nonprofit organizations in the Seward and Moose Pass area are invited to attend a reception with the Seward Community Foundation to learn about our new online grant application process. Beginning in January 2012, SCF will accept grant applications online. We hope this method will prove to be more convenient and faster for our grantees.
Babbie Jacobs and Anne Remick of the Alaska Community Foundation will be present to explain the new application process. The Seward Community Foundation is an affiliate of ACF, and is very appreciative of their support.
Exciting news: The Seward Community Foundation will announce the amount available for 2012 grants to our community at this reception. Each year we are happy to present this number, since it continues to grow larger as donations to our endowment increase.
The reception will be held on Thursday evening, January 26, at 7:00 pm at the Resurrect Art Coffee Shop. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to our email address, seward@alaskacf.org, or to our phone 224-4483.
DaVinci Art & Science Summer Camp 2011
A wonderfully produced You-tube video highlights this past summer’s DaVinci Art & Science Summer Camp held in Seward for the Boys & Girls Club. The camp was taught by local artist Justine Pechuzal and science teacher Leigh Ray for elementary school children. Deb Bond is the director of the Seward Boys & Girls Club. A grant from the Seward Community Foundation funded this year’s session. Click 'B&G Club Video 2011' to watch.
2011 Alaska PFD Pick. Click. Give.
The Seward Community Foundation wishes to thank the Seward and Moose Pass residents who contributed a portion of their Alaska PFD check directly to their favorite charity. The following local charities received donations through the Alaska PFD Pick. Click. Give. program: Alaska Sealife Center, Qutekcak Native Tribe, Seward Community Foundation, Seward Senior Center, RBCA, Resurection Bay Historical Society, SeaView Community Services, and the Seward Library/Museum Project.
Pick. Click. Give. will also be available in 2012. The application has a simple and very convenient process to select a charity for a donation. Individuals can specify the exact amount they would like to donate. Thank you for for supporting our community. You can learn more about the program at www.pickclickgive.org.
Sea-ward Bound Mural
The Seward Community Foundation along with a few other Seward organizations and donors partnered with local artists Justine Pechuzal and Liza McElroy to improve the downtown Seward appearance with a new mural. Finished in August, 2011, the mural is on the south side of Christo's restaurant facing, appropriately, the Alaska Sealife Center.
2011 Donor Appreciation and Grant Award Event
Conway Seavey singing for the Seward Senior Center Grant. (photo courtesy of One Shot Photo, Seward)
The Seward Community Foundation held our third annual Donor Appreciation and Grant Award Event on May 5th at Ray’s on the harborfront. This event is used as an opportunity to thank SCF donors and supporters, and to involve them in awarding grants to local organizations and projects. Close to $20,000 was awarded this evening.
SCF Vice-President Chellie Skoog welcomed all and introduced the 2011 SCF board of directors and the evenings’ special guests. Chellie spoke of SCF’s accomplishments since last year’s event – Providing a free Estate Planning Seminar for the public, Hosting an event in January to train local nonprofits about IRS reporting requirements, Building the SCF Endowment.
Next, SCF Director Judy Odner invited the 2011 grantees to receive their grant awards. As representatives from the various non-profit organizations walked to the front of the room, they were met with the music talent of Conway Seavey and his acoustic guitar. With clever plays on words and witty charm, Mr. Seavey sang thirty second songs that he personally wrote about each organization.
The Moose Pass Library accepted their grant of $1,000 for new non-fiction educational materials while Mr. Seavey sang of books, knowledge and a fun place to learn and read. The Seward Senior Center accepted their $5,000 grant to remodel their kitchen to song lyrics about dancing, learning and loving life at any age. Dana Paperman, director of the Seward Senior Center, commented with tears in her eyes about the lasting impact that supporting the Seward Community Foundation can have on a community. She explained that a gift or donation to the SCF will continue to improve the lives of community members for many years into the future. The Save Our Seward (SOS) Pets organization accepted a $1,000 grant for their spay and neuter program with a clever song about the joys of feeding your pet and the importance of fixing your pet.
Boys & Girls Club Director Debra Bond and friends recounting last years SCF grant. (photo courtesy of One Shot Photo, Seward)
SCF director Amy Haddow introduced the next three organizations to receive grants. SeaView Community Services was awarded a grant of $4,250 for their Play and Chat Program. The Play and Chat program continues to support numerous families in Seward and Moose Pass through education and outreach. The Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance accepted a grant of $1,145 to purchase a digital project and sound system while Mr. Seavey sang a song about nature in Alaska. As another example of community connection, the Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance openly invited all non-profit organizations the opportunity to use the digital project at any time. A grant of $1,500 for the Port City Players was accepted by David Kingsland. He explained how the Seward Community Foundation’s grant will provide winter theatre entertainment for our communities.
With an enthusiastic smile, SCF director Kim Riererson introduced the final three grant recipients. The Seward TRAILS organization, represented by Emily Gustafson, was awarded a $1000 grant to support incredibly rewarding adventures for individuals with disabilities in the community. Emily stated that the Seward Community Foundation’s grant will positively enhance the lives of numerous community members with special needs through various activities. One TRAILS participant explained her love of horseback riding while holding up a framed picture with her on a horse. The Seward TRAILS organization will be able to make additional individuals smile, laugh and enjoy life through personalized trips with their grant funding. The Tsunami Swim Club was awarded a grant of $905 to purchase a new lap top and swim meet software. Peggy Hamner of the Tsunami Swim Club accepted the grant and thanked the donors, guests and the Seward Community Foundation for their gifts. She also noted how their organization teaches its members to appreciate the generosity of others while also educating them about the importance of giving back to your community. This organization is instilling a sense of community pride and togetherness in its members that will last a lifetime.
Boys and Girls Club director Debbie Bond shared with the audience how the $5,000 grant from the Seward Community Foundation will continue to make a positive impact in the lives of countless youth in the community. From inventive DaVinci camps that provide youth with an opportunity to explore, connect and learn about nature to computer programs which allows youth to express themselves artistically through movies, the Boys & Girls Club has become an organization that encourages creativity while also nurturing education. Two club members, Maddy Athey and Kirsten Johnson-Gray, tugged at the donors’ heart strings when they spoke about their love for the Boys & Girls Club and how it’s a positive place for youth to grow and learn.
SCF President Paul Rupple concluded the festivities with an inspirational speech encouraging all citizens to support community causes that matter. This resonated deeply when donors, guests and grant recipients stated why they choose to donate to the Seward Community Foundation. Some individuals believe in its mission while others enjoyed seeing the immediate impact of their gift within the community. This notion of creating a lasting impact in the community was exemplified when Paul and former SCF director Julie Tauriainen announced the Seward Community Foundation’s recent bequests. Tony Rollo, Sue Kaanta and Barbara Shea’s names are each honored on a Memorial Plaque as legacy donors and champions of our communities. After thanking Ray’s and One-Shot Photography for their services at the event, the Breeze Inn and Seward Hotel for hosting board meetings as well as Safeway for donating two beautiful floral arrangements, Paul summarized the significance of the Seward Community Foundation.
We fund community projects. Independently, these words stand alone and provide little meaning or inspiration. However, when combined together, those four singular words now have the ability to support local programs that creative helpful and enduring achievements in communities. The Seward Community Foundation funds community projects, forever.
SCF President Paul Rupple and SCF past director Julie Tauriainen presenting the new SCF Memorial Plaque. (photo courtesy of One Shot Photo, Seward)
2011 SCF Nonprofit Event
Representatives from 16 area nonprofit organizations gathered with SCF in our 3rd annual Nonprofit Get-Together at the Bear Mountain Conference Room, Alaska Sealife Center, January 21. Tara Reimer Jones presented an excellent review of 'IRS Reporting Requirements for Nonprofits'.
Tara spoke on IRS periodic reports and State of Alaska requirements for nonprofits. This was an active presentation as those with laptops actually accessed the IRS and other websites to seek information and file their reports. As a very special service, Tara had previously researched our local nonprofits for their IRS reporting status through public records and handed each organization attending a report of their status and how to correct any concerns. This was a very worthwhile program for all organizations.
SCF thanks Tara for all her effort in presenting a professional program and thanks the Alaska Sealife Center for use of their wonderful conference room.
Seward Senior Center Receives Mini Grant
Recently, SCF awarded $250 to the Seward Senior Center via a mini grant. Mini grant applications are available via email and are eligible for review throughout the year. The Seward Senior Center will use the funds received to aid in the purchase of a much needed piece of equipment. Congratulations! Download a mini-grant application.