How to Prepare a Tier 1 Application

Rasmuson Foundation

Working as a catalyst to promote a better life for Alaskans.

Tier 1 Training Workshop

Jeff Bairdjbaird@rasmuson.org

Tier 1 GrantsRequests of up to $25,000:• Applications accepted and reviewed year-round; • Awards made monthly;• Includes capital, technology, capacity building, program expansion and creative

works.

2011 Grantmaking

90 Tier 1 grants awarded; Over $1.6 million awarded to Alaska-based organizations. ( a $17,777

average); About 60% of grants made to organizations outside of Anchorage.

Goals for 2012

Increase number of awards made by 25%; Increase total amount awarded to $2.23 million.

Who we fund

Alaska-based 501(c)(3)s or government agencies with year-plus of financials

Who We Don’t Fund: Generally, schools and churches Individuals (except for Individual Artist Awards); Organizations planning to redistribute funds;

Politically-affiliated organizations;

Discriminatory organizations;

What we don’t fund

Core government functions such as roads, utilities, and public safety; Operating expenses; Deficits, or debt reduction; Endowments; Scholarships; Fund-raising events or sponsorships; Reimbursement for items already purchased; Emerging technologies.

Evaluation Criteria

Organizational track record; Fiscal and management capacity; An active board; Community support and benefit; Sources of financial support; Project implementation and sustainability feasibility.

How it works

Grants are processed within 90 days; You can have 1 open Tier 1 grant at a time; Project has to be completed within 1 year – no extensions! Easy reporting process

Things to think about:

100% board giving

Community benefit

Funding diversity

Right request? Operating expense vs. capital project

Project ready to go

Call first

Types of Grants: Capital Grants

Great way to start a relationship with the Foundation; 80% (65) of the 90 grants were for capital/renovations.

Bunnell Street Arts Center

Project Budget:

Rasmuson Foundation $9,000Old Inlet Trading Post $5,000Volunteer labor $2,800Bunnell Street Arts Center $1,200Total Project $18,000

• Description: Gallery improvements and furniture

Application Strengths:• Volunteer labor significantly lowered project cost; • Respected organization

Tip: Lease terms – spell them out.

Girdwood Nordic Ski Club

Girdwood 20/20Anchorage HLBIndividualsState of Alaska Parks & Rec Anchorage Parks & Rec National Park Service Moose’s Tooth Alpine Air Alaska

Trail construction • Secured funding: $351,929 • Rasmuson Contribution: $18,000

Application Strength• Amount of work done prior to Rasmuson ask;• Well-planned application.

Tip: Explain how you will maintain/sustain project.

Anchorage Trail CareAmerican Hiking Society Conoco Phillips GCI REI Atwood Foundation Wells Fargo U.S. Forest Service RAC

Funding Sources Contacted

Kenai Peninsula Food Bank

Renovation of Fireweed Diner’s kitchen

Application Strength:• Organization provides obvious benefits to Alaskans;• Long history with the Foundation. First grant made in1997 for $3,300.

Tip: $25,000 awards are the exception.

Project Budget:

Rasmuson Foundation: $25,000Total Project $112,000

Ionia

Project Budget:

Rasmuson Foundation: $20,092Mental Health Trust: $21,000Ionia: $8,950 Total Project $56,142

Installation of sprinkler system

Application Strengths:• Support from trusted partner and industry

expert;• Well-articulated need

Tip: Is there any way to partner on a project with another community organization?

1. Start by calling staff;

2. The Foundation will pay for technology consultant

3. Applicant can submit a request after technology strategy/plan adopted.

Technology Requests

Alaska Museum of Natural History

Project Budget:

Rasmuson Foundation $20,943Museum $3,130Total Project $24,073

Technology upgrades

Application Strength:• Technology replacement fund designated• 5-year plan in place

Tip: Technology consulting takes time andresources. Do you have enough of both takeadvantage of it?

Capacity building

Funding to help organizations address critical internal issues. Examples include: Strategic/business planning, board development,

feasibility studies, audience development.

Alaska SeaLife CenterSupport to attend out-state conference

Application Strengths: Request contributed to ASC’s pursuit of field

accreditation. Had significant dollars designated for travel and personnel development.

Tip: Request should be part of a development strategy. We do not like “stand alone” requests.

Project Budget:Rasmuson Foundation $5,000SeaLife Center $3,339Total Project $8,339

Creative Works

Funding to support the creation and publication of films, documentaries, books, exhibits and other cultural works.

Strong Alaska-specific context

University of Alaska FoundationUniversity of Alaska Press

Printing expenses to publish a book titled "My Wrangell Mountains”.

Application Strength: Unique subject matter

Tip: Requests commonly have an educational component

Project Budget:

Rasmuson Foundation: $25,000UA Press: $10,050Total Project $35,050

Program Expansion

Funds to support growth into areas related to expertise; Broad impact.

Anchorage MuseumDescription: True North Exhibit

Application Strengths:• Natural fit with what museum is already doing• Sector leader

Tip: These should be initiated by established organization

Project Budget:Rasmuson Foundation: $19,000Alaska Air $4,000BP $10,000Alaska Design Forum $5,000Total Project $38,000

Rasmuson Online

Connect with us

Questions?

Call us: Jeff Baird, 297-2831

Rasmuson Foundationwww.rasmuson.org

301 West Northern Lights Blvd.Suite 400

Anchorage, AK 99503(907) 297-2700

(877) 366-2700 (toll-free within Alaska)rasmusonfdn@rasmuson.org

Copies of this presentation:

www.slideshare.net/rasmusonfoundation