Camp Initiative Grant Program

The Camp Initiative Grant Program, a collaboration between the Rasmuson Foundation and The Alaska Community Foundation, aims to enhance access to camps and youth programs in Alaska. This initiative addresses financial barriers, offering scholarships and support for organizations to ensure equitable access to outdoor experiences. With a maximum grant amount of $45,000, it encourages diverse participation and aims to foster essential skills among Alaskan youth, promoting lifelong outdoor engagement.

Rasmuson Foundation and The Alaska Community Foundation have partnered to provide support to 2022 camps and youth programming across Alaska. If your organization is eligible for funding as described below, we invite you to submit a grant application through The Alaska Community Foundation.
Purpose
Camps and youth programming opportunities are essential for Alaskan families. Alaska has the highest rate of participation in outdoor recreation in the United States (tied with Montana). Learning skills to be comfortable and competent on the land and in the outdoors can be a rite of passage. Camps provide lifelong experiences for many, but not all. Camps are expensive to operate, and these organizations typically charge a fee that can be a barrier to families. More children can attend camp with additional scholarship support, regardless of their family’s economic background.
The Camp Initiative prioritizes funding for organizations that are addressing the following key issues:
Fees/Costs – scholarships/camperships to assist in a family’s ability to pay, or for camps that do not charge a fee, the ability to pay staff and/or increase the number of participants (campers);Special expenses – may include traveling activity kits that reach youth who are unable to attend day or resident/overnight camps, increased transportation costs, or changes in program delivery; andTraining – access to staff professional development and training for counselors.
Considerations
Capacity to ImplementReach & ImpactEquitable Access to Diverse Camp Experiences Statewide
Grant Request Amount Range:

• Up to $15,000 per location, $45,000 maximum.

Eligibility

Your organization is eligible for funding through this grant opportunity if it is one of the following:501(c)3 public charitable organization with 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) public charitable status as designated in your IRS Determination letter (including qualified faith-based organizations)Faith-based organization providing social services to the broader communityFederally-recognized Tribes or Tribal nonprofit organizationsCity governments or BoroughsK-12 Schools

Ineligibility

The following are not eligible for grant funding: IndividualsState or federal government agenciesFor-profit organizations or businessesPrivate nonprofit organizations (those not identified in their IRS determination letter as 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3)Requests for support that do not fall within the funding guidelines outlined aboveActivities that improperly discriminate as to race, gender, marital status, sexual preference, age, disability, creed or ethnicity, or grants for religious indoctrination or other religious activities.