Seward Community Foundation is proud to partner with the Seward Arts Council and the Seward PTA to provide an Artist in the Schools program for local schools.

The idea began in 2018 when local artist Marissa Beck and Seward teacher Tara Swanson were lamenting on the lack of a defined arts program within the schools. They wanted to develop a funding opportunity that would pay local artists to work within the schools with students. As Swanson pointed out, the benefit would be twofold—a spectrum of art specialists would enhance the school's curriculum, and the program would financially support local artists.

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Inspired by this story? Please consider a donation to the Ralph and Anne Hatch Family Arts, Music, and Education Fund.

Major Grant Cycle

SCF's Major Grant Cycle opens on January 9th and closes at 5 PM on February 3rd. Read More>

January 4th - Nonprofit Luncheon

Mark your calendars for a nonprofit lunch with SCF! We'll announce the 2023 grant dollars, and there will be a chance to win a $1,000 grant in our popular Guess-the-Amount contest! Time and Place to be determined

Mini-Grants

Mini-grants of up to $1,000 are a flexible funding opportunity that may support a broad range of community needs throughout the year. Applications are due by the 5th of each month. Apply Today!

Grant questions? We are here to help! Email [email protected] with your questions, or we can arrange a time to speak with you.

On July 23rd, Seward Area Hospice hosted its second annual Hike for Hospice at the Grayling Lake Trail. The event was awarded a $1,000 mini-grant from Seward Community Foundation to purchase sustainable equipment that the organization could use for future events. The items purchased were a canopy, table, banner, and water cooler.

       "(The Event) provides the opportunity for people to hike in memory of a loved one who has        died or to honor someone who is seriously ill. Though this is a fundraising event, we want the heart of hospice to shine through and so focus our efforts on making it a meaningful event for all who take part. There are places to pause and reflect on dying and grief, whatever stage you are at on your journey. Sharing people's stories and hearing about their loved ones is always a privilege."

                                                     -Lauren Coleman, SAH Bereavement Coordinator      

Seward Area Hospice provides invaluable service for residents who are experiencing terminal illnesses. SAH's mission is to enable comfort, dignity, and choice to families and individuals during their end of life. Seward Area Hospice supports clients with trained staff and volunteers to assist with non-medical needs.

SCF is proud to support Seward Area Hospice. We look forward to next year's event.

This grant was funded by the Seward Community Foundation Fund.

In September, the Seward Arts Council received a $1,000 mini-grant for supplies for its “Seward’s Native Roots” 2022 mural project. The mural is a collaboration with the Qutekcak Native Tribe and Seward Mural Society and has been in the works for almost ten years.

“Some of the murals in Seward tell of its founding, the importance of location as a railroad port, or commercial fishing as an industry. But up to now, the Alaska Native story has not been illustrated or noted fully,” said Jennifer Headtke, founding member of the Seward Mural Society. “This mural starts to do that.”

Seward Community Foundation was pleased to bring The Foraker Group to Seward on September 23rd for a half day of free classes for our nonprofit community. Nonprofit leaders, staff, and volunteers gathered at the Alaska SeaLife Center for two, 1 ½ hr long sessions on topics designed to help their organizations learn new strategies for budgeting, recruitment, advertising, and how to create a more diverse and welcoming organization.

Laurie Wolf from The Foraker group taught two in-person classes. Board Recruitment & Retention during session one, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion during session two. Foraker Group's Kimberly Waller and Chellie Skoog joined everyone virtually to teach classes on DIY Social Media and Budgeting for Nonprofits. A lunch break broke up the two sessions with sandwiches provided by Subway of Seward.

SCF held a drawing for participants who attended a class in both sessions, with the winner awarding $500 to the local nonprofit of their choice. Congratulations to Laura Swihart, who gave the $500 grant to the Octopus/Aquarium Enrichment program at the Alaska SeaLife Center.

"I actually had a mild phobia of octopuses when I started working here at ASLC in May of 2021, but over the duration of my time here I've completely fallen in love with the species (Thanks to the MANY aquarists who have stood beside me peeling suckers off my arms as I face my fears)! Octopuses are incredibly intelligent and curious--this mini-grant will go a long way towards ensuring that all of the octopuses that call ASLC home will have access to quality enrichment for years to come." said Laura.

Seward Community Foundation would like to thank the Alaska SeaLife Center for conference support and the use of their meeting rooms, Laurie Wolf, Kimberly Waller, and Chellie Skoog from The Foraker Group for providing a wonderful afternoon of classes. We'd also like to thank Seward Subway for the delicious sandwich trays. And last but not least, a huge "thank you" to everyone who attended the Nonprofit Conference. We received such positive feedback that we plan to host more training events in the future.

We want to hear from you! What topics would you like us to cover for future Nonprofit Conferences? Email [email protected] with your ideas!

We hope you enjoyed reading and learning about the excellent work that area nonprofits are doing, and you feel inspired to give today. 

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