Update from Executive Director
I postponed the newsletter a few days this month so I could include the names of all the amazing scholarship awardees this year. I sat in on all the selection meetings this year and heard how impressed the committees were with all the applicants. This year, with the help of donors, we were able to award $34,000 to support local young people in their future education. Thank you to all who gave to those funds.
As of this year, the Homer Foundation’s various scholarship funds have given out nearly $370,000 in scholarships to area students helping to resource their hopes and dreams for the future.
Below you see Gary Lyon awarding the Ptarmigan Arts Scholarship and Rachel Miller awarding the Sutton James Miller Memorial Scholarship. Both are scholarship funds on the Homer Foundation. In total we have 13 different scholarship funds, soon to be 14.
Congratulations to all of the awardees and we wish you a successful year and a bright future.
Mike
Halibut Cove Live Cancelled for 2021
Due to ongoing concerns and continuing uncertainties about large gatherings in light of COVID 19, for a second year we are cancelling Halibut Cove Live. As much as we all want to see you and come together for this one of a kind event, it became clear that we could not commit to the event this year. Although it saddened both us at the Foundation and our hosts at the Quiet Place Lodge, we came to this conclusion due to concerns about safety for you, volunteers and our community.
We are planning on holding this great event in 2022 and look forward to seeing you! Stay safe and have a wonderful summer. Be safe.
Fiscal Sponsorship
The Homer Foundation and Kachemak City have entered into a Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement. Kachemak City was looking to seek grants and donations for a repair project for their park. As a community foundation we can be their non profit arm collecting donations and sponsoring grants they might not otherwise be eligible for. The City gets an updated park, lower taxpayer cost, and great community involvement but without the increased administrative burden so many donations bring. The Foundation promotes more grassroots philanthropy, connects with more of the community and collects a small fee for this service.
If you want to make a donation to the Kachemak City Playground Repair Fund, either send or drop off a check to the Homer Foundation. Please note in the memo line Kachemak Playground Fund or use the Donate Now button on our webpage and use the “My donation is for:” drop down menu to find the “Kachemak City Playground Repair Fund” and use your credit card to donate.
Recent Grants
You have helped make a difference in your community! See how your support has impacted the world around you:
Friends of the Homer Public Library
FOHPL is bringing back summer! FOHPL was awarded $2,400 for Summer@HPL 2021 which begins on June 1 and runs through July 31st. The program includes free books, the Artist in THEIR residence series, Windsock making, Story Walk Storytime plus more fun and educational programs. Both in person programs and and virtual interaction with award winning author and illustrator Vera Brosgol. A great project your donations helped make possible.
Kachemak Bay Conservation Society
Was awarded $12,000 for the first phase of a multi discipline Peatland Project that was birthed in a grassroots discussion about how to put “peat on the map.” Peatland is important to climate issues. The project involves cross -sector engagement involving over 200 community members and several partner agencies working in such areas as: citizen science surveying & mapping, art and cultural projects, community and youth education, trail rehabilitation and land conservation. This is a great proactive project and we look forward to more from the KBCS group.
Kachemak Bay Running Club
The $2,500 grant, will help offset expenses to send area youth (middle and high school age) to the Steens Running camp. The camp emphasizes teamwork, responsibility, determination, leadership and some amazing running! Each 16 person team works together not just in competition, but in living and maintaining the camp day-to-day. Previous participants have come back not only stronger athletes, but better leaders and citizens. This grant covers approximately 1/5th of the costs and participants must provide the rest.
Philanthropy Fact of the Month
Every time the Standard and Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) stock index drops 100 points, charitable giving declines by $1.85 billion