Ketchikan Community Foundation

Rasmuson Foundation invites applications for one-time grant awards to develop community solutions around funding child care access. Applications for Tending the Future Fund (Child Care) grants open on February 23.

The Foundation will award a total of $100,000 to Alaska communities for convenings on local solutions to increase sustainable funding for child care. The awards are part of the Foundation’s Tending the Future Fund for Child Care, launched in 2025 to address Alaska’s child care needs.

“Child care is not just a family issue. It’s economic infrastructure,” said Tasha Pineda, chief program officer for Rasmuson Foundation. “When families can’t access affordable, reliable care, it affects everything: workforce participation, business growth, and children’s long-term success. At Rasmuson Foundation, we believe in investing where it matters most to Alaskans, and child care is one of those places.”

Nonprofits and local governments, including Tribal, may apply for either a Convening Grant of up to $7,000 or a Designing Grant of up to $15,000.

Convening grants are available to communities or regions that are initiating collaboration to increase funding for child care. Designing grants will support ideas already identified by communities and facilitate implementation planning for potential pilot projects that focus on improving revenue streams to make child care more sustainable.

Organization and community leaders interested in applying can attend a webinar on February 25 led by Foundation staff that will provide information and address questions from participants. You can register for the webinar here: https://rasmuson-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/qjKUEwpVQE-z3z3QCew0yQ #/registration

Eligible applicants must either be an established 501(c)(3) or a local or Tribal government. The deadline to apply is March 27.

To learn more and apply, follow this link: https://rasmuson.org/find-funding/tending-the-future-fund/

We’re officially halfway through our annual grant cycle, and we don’t want your organization to miss this opportunity! This year we’re supporting programs that strengthen the physical and emotional well-being of people in Ketchikan, whether that’s caregiving, crisis response, mental health support, community connection, healing, or efforts that reduce isolation and stress.

If your work helps our neighbors feel safer, healthier, and more supported, we encourage you to apply now. Don’t let February sneak up on you! Later is closer than it feels!

📅 Grant cycle open through February 27
👉 Guidelines & application: https://ketchikancf.org/grants-community-projects

Don't forget to join us tomorrow morning! We hope to see you there!

JOIN US on February 4th at 11:00 am at Pilothouse Coffee to discuss the Ketchikan Community Foundation's current grant cycle! Mingle with other nonprofit members and leaders and share any of your grant cycle questions with us! We hope to see you there!

🤝 Supporting the Well-Being of Our Community 🤝

Our current grant cycle supports programs that strengthen the physical and emotional well-being of people in Ketchikan. From caregiving and crisis support to healing, connection, and reducing isolation, we encourage nonprofits to apply if their work helps our community feel safer, healthier, and more supported.

Our cycle is opened from today, January 15th til February 27th. To read our grant cycle guidelines and fill out a grant application, check out our Grant's page here: https://ketchikancf.org/grants-community-projects/

This year's grant cycle seeks to support non-profit programs and initiatives that strengthen the physical and emotional well-being of people in Ketchikan. We recognize that health and wellness are shaped not only by medical care, but also by access to safety, stability, connection, dignity, and care. Eligible projects may address physical needs, emotional and/or mental health support, crisis response, healing and recovery, caregiving, community connection, or the reduction of isolation and stress. We encourage applicants to think broadly about how their work supports individuals, families, and communities in meeting essential physical or emotional needs and in building resilience, belonging, and overall well-being in Ketchikan.

🚧 Big Funding Opportunity for Community Projects!

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is now open for 2025 applications — offering up to $850,000 in competitive federal funding for community development projects that benefit low- and moderate-income residents.

This is a great chance for local nonprofits to partner with the City or Borough on projects like:

🏘️ Homelessness prevention and shelter improvements

🧒 Childcare, senior, or health facilities

🦺 Public safety or ADA accessibility upgrades

💼 Economic development serving local residents

📅 Key Dates:

Application Deadline: December 8, 2025

Award Announcements: February 2026

💡 Who can apply:
City and Borough governments can partner with nonprofits or Native Village Councils to bring federal dollars into our community.

If you’re a nonprofit with a project idea that could make a difference for Ketchikan residents, now’s the time to get involved.

👉 Learn more: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/dcra/GrantsSection/CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrants.aspx

This year's Vintage Cocktail Party was one of the best yet! Thank you to everyone who attended and made the evening so fun! We loved everyone's costumes and had a blast celebrating Ketchikan and our vibrant nonprofit community together! See you next year!