Homer Foundation Receives Extraordinary $1.2 Million Gift
Lotto Alaska Winner Makes Historic Donation to Support Youth & Families
HOMER, ALASKA – The Homer Foundation is thrilled to announce an extraordinary $1.2 million gift
from the Jules, Dawn, and Joe Ravin family. Established in 1991 as Alaska’s first community foundation, this is the Foundation’s first million-dollar gift from an individual.
Local resident and small business owner Jules Ravin won over $13 million in the Lotto Alaska
“Chase the Ace” drawing on August 4. Ravin is only the fourth multi-million-dollar winner in Lotto Alaska’s history. According to Stosh Solski of Lotto Alaska, most people have no idea what to do with such a windfall- but once the shock wore off, the Ravin family knew exactly what they wanted to do.
“We love Homer, and we’re so grateful to the community that has supported our family all these
years. We want to give back, especially by helping young families the way we were helped,” said Jules Ravin. The Ravin Community Fund for Youth Programming will provide support for youth activities, including after-school programs. “We trust our local community foundation to help us realize this dream. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it’s for the kids, their families, and our community. We hope everyone will be inspired to join us to keep growing the fund and create something truly
special.”
Stacey Schultz, Executive Director of The Homer Foundation, emphasized how inspiring the Ravins’
story is to the entire community. “They could have done anything with this, but their first thought was to give back to their community and create an example that can inspire others. This speaks not only to the character of the Ravin family but also to the character of the Homer area community.”
Since winning the Lotto Alaska, not much has changed for the Ravins. Jules is still running his business, Dawn recently retired, and Joe will continue working as a local wilderness guide. “I have a wife who
loves me, a son who loves his parents, a house with a view, and I own my business. If we hadn’t won, we’d still be happy in Homer,” said Jules Ravin.
Located in Homer, Alaska, the Homer Foundation was established in 1991 as Alaska’s first Community
Foundation. 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. One the past 33 years, the Homer Foundation has awarded over $5.6 million in grants and scholarships across the Southern Kenai Peninsula -from Ninilchik to Nanwalek and everywhere in-between.
Welcome our new Executive Director
The Homer Foundation Board of Directors has named Stacey Schultz as the new Executive Director of the Homer Foundation.
Schultz was the Executive Director of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation in Marshfield, Wisconsin for five years. She brings 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Schultz lived in Anchorage, Alaska from 1996-2001. She moved back to her husband’s hometown to raise their family. Now that her family is grown, Schultz saw an opportunity to get back to Alaska where she can enjoy the great outdoors and still make an impact on her community through Foundation work.
“We are delighted to welcome Stacey as our new Executive Director,” says Denise Pitzman, Homer Foundation Board President. “She brings both deep experience and a passion for Alaska and the role of community foundations.”
When Schultz assumes the role July 15, she will take over for outgoing executive director, Mike Miller, who is retiring after five years with the Homer Foundation. Founded in 1991, the Homer Foundation is the first community foundation to be established in Alaska. Since that time, the Foundation has grown to $6.8 million in assets and 111 funds serving the Southern Kenai Peninsula from Ninilchik to Nanwalek and everywhere in-between.
“I am thrilled to join the Homer Foundation and to continue to build upon the community’s success over the past thirty-five years,” says Schultz.
Schultz received a degree in recreational therapy from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and was a certified recreational therapist in Madison, WI., Anchorage, AK, and Marshfield, WI. She worked at Challenge Alaska in Anchorage, Alaska where she implemented a community integration program for the state of Alaska.
Schultz’s career as a recreational therapist, promoting community integration, involved relationship building with businesses and community members. Relationship building is Stacey’s strongest asset she brings to the Foundation and to the board of directors. She has a genuine interest in each person’s story. She also brings expertise on how to keep a nonprofit running smoothly and keeping an open line of communication with the board and community members.
She has always been active with various committees in her community so she can keep a pulse on emerging needs such as a mental health coalition, United Way allocations, United for Community Wellness, Rotary, St Vincent de Paul Community Gardens, MainStreet Marshfield, and the Marshfield Refugee Relocation Program. Schultz has been married to Rob Schultz for 32 years. They have three adult children Ruthey, Ella, and Gus and enjoy family time with games and hikes. Stacey enjoys reading, gardening, and biking.