Jessica Stevens Community Foundation: Alaska
/OVERVIEW: The Jessica Stevens Community Foundation supports compassionate health care, innovative education, community enrichment, active enjoyment of the natural environment, and arts and cultural expression in the northern Susitna Valley area.
FUNDING AREAS: Compassionate health care, innovative education, community enrichment, active enjoyment of the natural environment, arts and cultural expression
IP TAKE: Health-focused nonprofits in the region tend to fare especially well with this legacy foundation named after a beloved resident.
PROFILE: Established in 2008, the Jessica Stevens Community Foundation (JSCF) is an affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) and based in Talkeetna, Alaska. A grant from the Rasmuson Foundation helped establish the ACF Affiliate Program in 2008 to address the causes that are most important to local communities and inspire local philanthropy with the help of volunteer advisory boards. Jessica Stevens worked for 14 years to transform healthcare in the northern Susitna Valley and was active in the local arts community. She suffered a tragic, accidental death in 2007, prompting local volunteers to build a foundation in her memory. This foundation funds local efforts related to compassionate health care, innovative education, community enrichment, active enjoyment of the natural environment, and arts and cultural expression.
The Jessica Stevens Community Foundation largely supports efforts that were important to Ms. Stevens, such as health and the arts. JSCF ultimately seeks to build healthy communities in its local region. The funder supports both immediate needs and long-term improvements, and it is responsive to emerging needs that arise. JSCF prioritizes groups that serve a range of residents and those which collaborate with other organizations. Grantees must complete JSCF-funded projects within one year of receiving an award.
Grants range between about $500 and $3,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving on the foundation website’s grants page. Grantmaking focuses exclusively on the northern Susitna Valley area. This region extends throughout the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and borders Denali State and National Parks. Past local grantees include the Denali Arts Council, Sunshine Community Health Center, Mat-Su Imagination Library, and Trapper Creek Elementary.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. JSCF’s annual competitive grant cycle typically opens in May and June of each year. The funder utilizes an online grants system for funding applications. Direct general questions to the staff at jessicastevens@alaskacf.org or 855-336-6701.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
