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Our story, year by year

Explore key milestones and achievements that have shaped our journey as Alaska's First Community Foundation.

Timeline of Accomplishments

July 22, 1991
The Homer Foundation is established as Alaska’s First Community Foundation
Guided by the vision of Ken Castner and Steve Yoshida and assisted by a diverse group of community leaders and pioneers, including Hazel Heath, Daisy Lee Bitter, and Mary Epperson and early supporters like Julia Park Howard Strydom and Tom Bodett.
1993
Awards first grants totaling $1,000, with recipients including Homer Council on the Arts, Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, and Pier One Theatre.
1995
Reaches 13 endowment funds to benefit local charitable organizations
1999
Adopts year-round grantmaking to better meet community needs.
Enters into partnership with the City of Homer to administer the City Grants Program and establishes the City of Homer Fund as a permanent endowment.
2000
Hires first Executive Director, Joy Steward, after nine years as an all-volunteer organization.
2001
Dave and Beth Schroer establish a $20,000 challenge grant to strengthen community awareness and fundraising.
2002
Launches Alaska’s first Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), advised by Susan Cushing.
Artist and board member Susan Cushing designs a logo featuring a spiral formed from a seed and spruce tree.
2003
Contributes $50,000 towards building the Homer Library.
2005
Publishes Kachemak Bay, a book of local photographs and essays.
Assets surpass $1 Million.
Receives $50,000 grant from the Rasmuson Foundation.
2006
Youth Advisory Comittee (YAC) presents in Juneau, inspiring the Juneau Community Foundation to establish its own youth philanthropy group.
2007
Receives recognition from the Alaska State Legislature.
Establishes the Aquila Fund, a permanent endowment to support operations.
Surpasses $1 million in grants distributed; assets reach $2 million.
2008
Participates in the inaugural Pick.Click.Give. program of the Alaska Permanent Fund.
2009
Patrick Schneider accepts the “Outstanding Youth Group in Philanthropy Award” on behalf of the Youth Advisory Committe (YAC) from Association of Fundraising Professionals, Alaska Chapter.
2010
Receives a $30,000 legislative grant to support community education in Homer. Building on groundwork by the Juneau Community Foundation to make community foundations eligible for legislative funding.
2011
Receives Arctic Sun, a silver maple diptych by artist and board member Ron Senungetuk, now displayed in the boardroom.
Hosts first Halibut Cove Live benefit.
2012
Serves as fiscal sponsor and supports the Homer Playground Project in Karen Hornaday Park with a $5,000 sponsorship.
Establishes the Homer Community Chest fund to support individuals and families in need.
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2016
Serves as fiscal sponsor and supports construction of the Boat House Pavilion on the Homer Spit with a $10,000 sponsorship.
2018
25th anniversary commemorated with Wildheart, a bronze giving salmon located next to the Boat House Pavilion on the Homer Spit.
2019
Surpasses $3 Million in grants and scholarships distributed locally.
Welcomes Mike Miller as Executive Director.
2020
Launches COVID-19 Response Fund, distributing nearly $50,000 to support nonprofits adapting to pandemic-related challenges
2021
Grows fund offerings to include non-endowed funds, allowing the foundation to support projects with shorter timelines.
2023
Surpasses $5 million in grants and scholarships distributed locally.
Number of funds held grows to 110.
2024
Welcomes Stacey Mack as Executive Director.
Receives extraordinary $1.2 million gift from Jules Ravin and family, Lotto Alaska winners, to support after-school programming in Homer.
2025
Launches Seeds of Support, a $100,000 matching campaign for local nonprofit fundholders.
Assets surpass $10 Million.
Supports Eastland Trails development with a $50,000 grant.