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 Spring-Summer 2010 Newsletter, and read on for more news.

 

Rasmuson Foundation 55th Birthday Surprise

The Rasmuson Foundation recently held a 55th birthday reception in Seward. Rasmuson Foundation President Diane Kaplan and Seward Community Foundation President Paul Rupple unveiled the Rasmuson birthday cake to reveal a cake shaped and decorated as a check from the Rasmuson Foundation to the Seward Community Foundation in the amount of $55,000! This was stunning and totally unexpected by SCF! Paul was uncharacteristically speechless.
The Rasmuson Foundation is thrilled with the efforts of the Seward Community Foundation in building our organization and supporting local nonprofit organizations. They love to see communities providing for themselves.
The Seward Community Foundation is very appreciative of this recognition and contribution. This gift will provide for Seward and Moose Pass organizations and projects FOREVER!  Thank you Rasmusons!

The Seward Tsunami Swim Club receives a 2010 grant for new equipment. (Photo courtesy of One Shot Photography)

2010 Grant Awards and Donor Appreciation Event

On May 6th the Seward Community Foundation spent a fun evening with donors and grantees awarding the 2010 grants to local nonprofit organizations. In all, $9,750 went to 7 different organizations.
The evening started with Master of Ceremonies and board member, Jim Fredrickson, introducing the other board members: Paul Rupple-President, Kim Reierson-Vice President, Chellie Skoog-Secretary, Darcie Larson-Treasurer, Patty Beals, and Judy Odhner. Following the introductions, President Paul Rupple spoke about what the Foundation has been working on this past year and its future plans. He also announced two new funds being started at the Seward Community Foundation: the Seward Seahawk’s Athletic Booster Club Fund and the PTSA Fund.

Nonprofit Organization displays (Courtesy of One Shot Photography)

Chellie Skoog and Patty Beals presented the grant awards next and that’s when the fun really began! The first grant of $450 went to HOBY – the Hugh O’Brien Youth leadership program. This money will allow a student from Seward High School to attend their leadership seminar at Alaska Pacific University. The next award of $1,800 went to the Seward Senior Center so they can offer a class for seniors to learn to “surf the web”. To introduce this award, Patty Beals rode a longboard across the floor, texting on her phone, wearing a red hat. When the Nordic Ski Club accepted their grant of $1,500 for additional ski equipment for younger children, Patty made snow fall in the form of confetti. The Boys and Girls Club received $1,500 to help fund their “It’s My Life” after-school biology program. For Seaview Community’s Play & Chat program, Patty went around the room playing a game of Duck, Duck, Goose before awarding them a grant for $1,500. The Seward Arts Council shone in the spotlight for their award of $1,500 which will be used to help purchase a portable sound and lighting system. The final grant of the evening went to the Tsunami Swim Club and what would a swim club be without a little water? Patty broke out the water pistols and made sure the swim club kids felt right at home.

The Seward Nordic Ski Club receives their 2010 grant for youth ski equipment. (Photo courtesy of One Shot Photography)

Thanks to Chinook’s Restaurant, with their wonderful venue and great food and service, the evening was enjoyed by all who attended. The Seward Community Foundation thanks all of its donors for making these grants possible to our community. At the end of the evening, Kim Reierson expressed her sentiments on why the foundation is special to the communities of Seward and Moose Pass.  She explained how a foundation is an amazing entity, that even though they had given almost $10,000 away that evening, all the money that the donors have gifted is still there and always will be.  “What we give will last forever,” she said.

Surfin' Patty Beals  (Photo courtesy of One Shot Photography)

 

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.

January 29, 2010 Nonprofit Event

The recent nonprofit organization event was a fabulous success! Over 20 area nonprofit organizations were in attendance. Speaker Suzanne Yack presented strategies useful in writing grant applications, Chellie Skoog explained how SCF can assist area nonprofits, Paul Rupple talked of the granting process, and, of course, Jim Fredrickson entertained all as emcee. The Alaska Sealife Center provided a perfect venue. Attendees networked, discussing issues of mutual concern. Here are a few quotes from attendees:

"What a great organization.  I am meeting with a group this week to share what I learned to see if they might be interested in applying for a grant.   All the grants I apply for are ‘Government’ grants – so it was very helpful to hear about what the private folks look for in an application.  Keep up the great work."   Christy Terry, Community Development Director, City of Seward

"As a grant professional, I found the the information provided was very informative to those at all levels of grant funding experience.  Thanks to the Seward Community Foundation for hosting an event like this in Seward." Tara Riemer Jones

PFD Pick, Click, and Give

THANK YOU… to those who gave to our local nonprofits through the PFD Pick. Click. Give. program this year. Though your PFD checks were less, the benefit to our community is great!

In January, when you apply for your Permanent Fund Dividend, you will again have the opportunity to give to your favorite Alaska nonprofit organizations. The PFD Charitable Contributions Program provides a safe, secure and easy way to make a donation, and is available to all Alaskans who file on-line.

The Seward Community Foundation supports the PFD Charitable Contributions Program – we believe it helps all of us together become an important force in bettering our communities and our state.

When you go online to sign up for your dividend, you will see the option called “The Gift of Giving.” Click and follow the instructions to make a donation. More than 330 organizations qualified for the program this year, so you’re likely to find one you already support and you can use this way to make an additional gift. Or you may find a new organization whose mission is important to you and you can donate to that organization. You may give part or all of your dividend, whatever is appropriate for you and your family. We simply encourage you to give.
The Seward area nonprofits that qualified for this program are Qutekcak Native Tribe, Resurrection Bay Historical Society, SeaView Community Services, Seward Community Library Association, Seward Senior Center and the Seward Community Foundation/ACF.

You can find more information about the program, including frequently asked questions at www.forakergroup.org/pfd. Or you may call 888-7850-GIFT (4438).

 

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