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/

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

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.