Give. Grow. Grant. Together.

Empowering local giving for a stronger, thriving community in Alaska’s Southern Kenai Peninsula.

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Local impact

Mission

The Homer Foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of the greater Homer area by promoting philanthropic and charitable activities.

Community impact

Your generosity fuels programs, services, and opportunities for our region.

Ways to give

Choose from flexible giving options—funds, securities, or legacy gifts—to support what matters most to you.

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35+

Years of trusted stewardship and support for local nonprofits, students, and community projects.

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50+

Grants awarded each year to nonprofits, students, and local initiatives.

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Donor stories

Meet neighbors making a difference through philanthropy and legacy gifts.

Community giving in action
$7,471,181.02
Total grants supporting local needs
Meet our dedicated team

People powering positive change

The Homer Foundation’s Board of Trustees is a highly active and vital part of our organization. In addition to providing leadership and governance, trustees serve on multiple committees and contribute countless volunteer hours that help guide our work and strengthen our impact. Their dedication and hands-on involvement allow the Foundation to operate effectively with a lean staff while remaining deeply connected to the needs of our community.

image ofa board member
Paula Martin
President of the Board
Paula joined the Homer Foundation board in May of 2019. Paula moved to Homer in 2007, following her husband's work, though she ended up at various University of Alaska sites across the state, serving as a college administrator until she finally fully retired in 2024. Her husband has also retired but they continue to love living in Homer. Before Alaska, she was a professor of environmental science at a few different colleges in the eastern US. She holds a BS from UC Berkeley, MS and Ph.D from UMass Amherst, all in Entomology. Paula has a love for science education, aquatic insects, writing, and travel. While retired, she is writing a few cozy mystery novels with an environmental science bent.
image of a board member
Denise Pitzman
Immediate Past President
Denise has graciously welcomed the invitation to return to the Homer Foundation, originally serving on the board from 2012-2017. Denise and her husband, Gordon, started their own real estate brokerage, Red Knot Real Estate, in 2021. Denise is passionate about philanthropy and can be found at various charitable events around town.
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Bill Bell
President-Elect, Treasurer and Finance Chair
Bill’s first memory of Homer was his brother-in-law treating him to a Coke at the Family Café in the mid-60s. With his appetite whetted, Bill returned for the traditional, progressive summers of Alaska Sea Foods, drifting, longlining, and thespian antics. Prodded by the inspiration of Dr. Eneboe, he “went to America to get smart” and returned as a practitioner of the healing arts for the last 43 years. Early Homesteaders inculcated him with the Alaska ethos and the importance of active personal involvement as a necessary ingredient for community vibrance. Bill feels our locale is truly a tapestry and the more citizens that help weave, contribute thread, and add color, the richer our community will be. He is excited to be a part of the Homer Foundation and help support the many ways they work to thicken and brighten that weave.
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Sara Reinert
Community Grants Committee Chair
Sara joined the board in 2022, after serving for years on various scholarship committees with the Homer Foundation. She is a retired educator from Kachemak Bay Campus of University of Alaska Anchorage where she taught math and statistics. She has been in Homer since 1986, when she worked with Alice Witte as a volleyball coach with the intent to stay for 6 months. She is a tireless volunteer with many local organizations, and we are looking forward to learning more of Homer Knowledge. Sara reflects that it is always valuable and a privilege to be given the opportunity to serve one’s community in a meaningful way. Here, here!
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Kenneth Schneider
Leadership, Planning and Policy Committee Chair
Born and raised in Homer, Kenneth works for Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula, supporting remote schools across the district. He has also spent many years coaching in the area, engaging with youth development both in and out of the classroom. Kenneth is committed to strengthening opportunities for local students and families and bolstering the greater Homer community.
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Tom Zitzmann
Development Committee Chair
Tom has lived in Homer since 1983 and has 44 years of experience in finance, tax, and financial planning. He is still working in the area of public accountancy and is a licensed CPA. He remarks, “I would like to share my professional knowledge with an organization that is instrumental in providing the Homer community resources which strengthen the community. I would also like to educate prospective donors on how gifting to the foundation can be incorporated into a donor’s estate plan.” While not working in finance, Tom can be found cycling, kayaking, skiing, birding, boating, and reading.
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Paul Seaton
Trustee
Paul and Tina have lived on the Kenai Peninsula for.over 40 years. He has always been in the salmon industry but is currently retiring from active participation. Paul was actively involved in the formation of both the Alaska Marine Conservation Council and the Kachemak Bay Estuarine Research Reserve. Paul served as the State House Rep for 16 years and remains involved in consideration of state affairs. Paul encourages participation in the 100 Men Project and 100 Women Who Care as well as other civic efforts to grow the community through volunteerism and philanthropy.
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Doug Baily
Trustee
Doug developed his strong attachment to Kachemak Bay when he first arrived on the Homer Spit in 1957 to join the crew of a commercial crab fishing boat. He and his wife, Landa, are now full-time residents of Homer. Following service in the United States Army, and two years in oil exploration on Alaska’s North Slope, Doug entered a legal career which has spanned nearly 60 years. In addition to many years in private practice, he served as Anchorage District Attorney and as United States Attorney for Alaska. He accepted an appointment as Alaska’s Attorney General two months before the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. A strong believer in service to community, Doug has served as a member of the Committee for the Creation of Chugach State Park, as a Trustee of the Alaska Permanent Fund, and as Chairman of the Alaska Parole Board. During his nine years as a volunteer firefighter, he earned the rank of Firefighter II at age 77. He is presently the secretary of Kachemak Gun Club.
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Christopher Kincaid
Trustee
A devoted husband and father of six, Christopher channels his creativity as a vocalist, guitarist, recording engineer, and prolific photographer. As the Worship Pastor at Church On the Rock Homer, Christopher plays a vital role in leading and inspiring others through music. Deeply embedded in the Homer community, he continues to share his talents, enriching those around him through his artistry and dedication.
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Jane Rohr
Trustee
Jane joined the board in 2025. A born and raised Homerite, over the years Jane has benefited from the Homer Foundation’s work in a variety of ways. She received scholarships managed by the foundation. She has worked for agencies that have received grants from the Homer Foundation. She has also volunteered for agencies that have worked with the foundation to establish accounts that would provide long term financial security for them. She has seen the value of the foundation in this community. She would like to serve on the board to give back to an organization that has given her support, and contribute to its growth in years to come.
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Abigail Story
Trustee
Abby joined the board in 2025. She sees that the Homer Foundation plays an essential role in the community, offering support to diverse projects, programs, and individuals. In her current role working at South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services, she has seen the importance of weaving together multiple funding streams to develop innovative solutions to some of our community’s most pressing problems, and many of these funding sources require community investment. The Homer Foundation’s contributions may enable organizations to receive additional sustainable funding. She is excited by the opportunity to collaborate with a group of individuals dedicated to seeing the community flourish.

Donor voices

Giving back, changing lives

image of educational workshops in progress (for an environmental conservation nonprofit)
David and Mary Schroer Fund
Supporting the Homer Foundation is a lot like gardening, We start with a seed, see if it grows in a healthy way, continue to care for it and then rejoice over the harvest benefits.
Dave and Mary Schroer, Homer Foundation Donor-Advised Fund Holders (Shared in memory of Dave Schroer)
28+
Community Organizations Helped
500K+
Dollars Granted
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[digital project] animation sequence, on a desktop monitor
The foundation makes it simple to support causes close to my heart. Their dedication to our region is unmatched.
Taylor Chen, fund advisor at Homer Foundation
52K+
Community Members Helped
2M+
Dollars Granted
Discover
image of volunteerism in nature for an environmental conservation nonprofit
Leaving a legacy gift ensures our town’s future. The process was easy and truly meaningful for me.
Morgan Patel, legacy donor at Homer Foundation
52K+
Community Members Helped
2M+
Dollars Granted
Discover
image of humanitarian aid activities
Partnering with the foundation helped us expand our reach. Their support strengthens local nonprofits every day.
Jordan Ellis, nonprofit director at Homer Foundation
52K+
Community Members Helped
2M+
Dollars Granted
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Financial Transparency & Accountability

We are committed to responsible stewardship and openly sharing how charitable dollars are managed, invested, and distributed.

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The Board of Trustees and the Finance Committee provides oversight of the Foundation’s financial affairs.  Professional staff provide accounting services and reports are distributed to the board monthly, quarterly and at year’s-end. Quarterly reports are mailed to all fund holders and financial statements are published in our annual report, which is distributed widely.

Audited Financial Statements
IRS Form 990

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