The Chilkat Valley Community Foundation awarded more than $18,000 to 14 local nonprofits this week, including to new applicant the Haines Avalanche Information Center for the construction of a high-altitude weather station.
Crystal Badgley, president of the foundation board, said the avalanche information center scored highly because of its thoughtful application and the fact that it had already secured funds from the Rasmuson Foundation.
The organization is also progressive in promoting winter sports and safety, which is key to drawing people to Haines and maintaining a high quality of life for residents here, she said.
“They think that having better weather data is going to help people make better decisions about when and where they can recreate in the winter,” Badgley said.
Lynn Canal Broadcasting received $1,200 this year to go toward creating a course on radio production at the Haines School.
Station manager Kay Clements said KHNS is hoping to work with the Community Education program to offer a course introducing students to field production, videography, podcasting, radio production and storytelling.
“We can only remain relevant if we feature local voices,” Clements said. “Our idea would be to pair a staff or community member skilled in a particular area of radio, web, video and production with an evening of coursework. Costs would include some field equipment and a small honorarium for the teachers. Our goal is to make this free for students.”
Foundation president Badgley said the organization gave out more money than usual this year, but that’s largely because the Chilkat Valley Preschool had to return the $3,500 it received last year to go toward a new building. (The preschool didn’t construct a new building but instead pursued other avenues that have since fallen through.)
Badgley said she realizes the grants aren’t exactly game-changers for the nonprofits: the foundation offers awards between $500 and $3,500. But in addition to the funds, the endorsement from a local organization shows bigger funders like the Rasmuson Foundation that a nonprofit has community support.
“Our own local community is interested and invested in these projects or organizations, and that goes a long way with these bigger funders,” Badgley said. “Some day in the future we hope to be able to give more or hopefully bigger grants. It’s just as the endowment grows.”
A granting committee composed of foundation board members and community volunteers reviewed and evaluated the applications.
Other grants awarded included $2,500 to go toward a new bus for the Haines Senior Center; $2,542 for Hospice of Haines to help its fundraising efforts; $2,000 for the Haines Dolphin Swim Team’s operational expenses; $1,200 for Alaska Arts Confluence projects; $500 for mew expansion at the American Bald Eagle Foundation; $600 for the Chilkat Valley Preschool’s “Movement and Mindfulness” program; $926 to the Friends of the Library to replace carpet; $844 to Haines Friends of Recycling for bear-proof collection containers; $1,000 for Haines Hot Shots operational support; $1,200 for a display case at the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center; $500 for Lynn Canal Conservation’s wild salmon presentation and $1,200 for acid-free storage materials for the Sheldon Museum.
The Haines Borough School District was the only organization to request funds and receive no funding. It had requested $999 for welcome bags for local newborns.