Rasmuson Foundation adds $5M to extend homelessness and housing initiative

The Rasmuson Foundation will extend and expand its homelessness and housing initiative after the board voted to add $5 million and continue the effort for five more years, Gretchen Gess told a Juneau Lunch & Learn.

Gess said the foundation has invested about $25,000,000 in homelessness and housing work since 2018. "The board just decided to expand this initiative another 5 years and put another $5,000,000 into it," she said, adding that the foundation plans to invest about $10,000,000 over the next five years with a stronger emphasis on housing and prevention for youth aged about 16–24.

She provided local examples of the foundation's approach: in Sitka, a 2022 grant of $420,000 supported the creation of 12 small homes intended to move people from unsheltered situations into transitional housing; the project held a ribbon-cutting the month before the presentation. The foundation's approach typically includes joining other funders so projects have a funding stack rather than acting as the sole funder.

Gess said the foundation will focus more on the housing side of interventions over the next five years and for the first time will explicitly lean into prevention work for youth homelessness. She urged communities that are creating systems for housing or prevention to contact foundation program officers for guidance and to discuss potential fit for funding.

The presentation included a brief audience Q&A in which participants asked how Rasmuson partners with other foundations and community funders; Gess described the foundation’s work with community foundations, peers and initiatives such as Pick.Click.Give. and encouraged local organizations to reach out via the foundation website.

Next steps: Communities and service providers seeking funding or technical assistance should consult the Rasmuson Foundation website and may schedule time with a program officer to discuss proposals.