We wanted to thank our most generous donors to our COVID-19 Response Fund, Rasmuson Foundation and Alaska Community Foundation, for your $10,000 gift to the Southern Kenai Peninsula. We were able to award 5 organizations, recognized by our COVID response committee with the largest need in our area, unrestricted grants. The organizations were the Homer Community Food Pantry, Homer Senior Citizens, Anchor Point Food Pantry, Anchor Point Senior Citizens, and Ninilchik Senior Citizens. We are so grateful to be able to provide this to our community!
There are certain times and seasons which stand out in our individual and collective memories. For better or worse, the summer of 2020 will be remembered for a long time; COVID-19 daily counts, social unrest sparked by a senseless and avoidable death, depressed economy, financial market difficulties. All of these are true, and we wish none of them had happened.
As justifiably upsetting as these things are, we want to focus on what else has happened during this pandemic. The Homer area raised over $130,000 to help our neighbors ($66,752 from the Church on the Rock, I Love Homer fund and $63,476 Homer Foundation, COVID-19 Response Fund). This figure doesn’t include the thousands of dollars given directly to non-profits helping those in need. Given the population of our area, that was an amazing out pouring of generosity.
While this season is far from being over, our community response was and is exemplary. Homer is a special community. Despite all the angst and worry, we set aside our differences; we step up and help our neighbor when the need arises.
Thank you for being caring and generous.
Thank you for being great neighbors.
Thank you for giving close to home.
Sincerely,
Mike
Our COVID-19 Response
On March 25, 2020 the Board of Trustees created a new fund for the Homer Foundation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is being used to support our local non-profits and the vital services they provide. Some of these organizations are already seeing huge impacts upon their programs, and these non-profits have already received at least one round of funding from us, including:
Anchor Point Senior Center, $4,200
Homer Senior Center, $4,750
Anchor Point Community Food Pantry, $7,000
South Peninsula Haven House, $2,500
Homer Farmers Market, $2,500
Cook Inlet Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, $2,500
Homer Community Food Pantry, $2,850
Voznesenka Community Council, $2,500
Hospice of Homer, $799
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic, $2,500
Ninilchik Senior Center, $1,500
To date, we have funded all eligible requests.
As the economic slowdown continues, as enhanced unemployment benefits and debt forgiveness run out, we know there will be more requests due to the impacts from this pandemic. This fund allows for flexibility for the agencies to apply as needed and for the Foundation to meet changing community needs. Right now, the focus for non-profits applying should be addressing basic needs including human services and emergency assistance or serving vulnerable populations.
If you would like more information about the COVID-19 fund, you can go to our webpage here.
New Fund Options
Big news from the Homer Foundation: the Board of Trustees has approved a new option for those who want to give back in the community with a timeline or project in mind. We now offer non-endowed fund options. This applies to all types of funds including donor advised, field of interest (including scholarship), and agency funds. This will allow donors and agencies a new and more flexible way to meet their philanthropic goals.
What is the difference between an endowed and non-endowed fund?
In an endowed fund the donation is invested and never spent. The Foundation makes the income available to grant yearly awards to the charity or cause in line with or donor’s intent. Because the capital is never touched, an endowment can continue making an impact indefinitely.
A non-endowed fund may use the initial donation as well as any interest and earnings, to support a charitable purpose that the donor has chosen. A non endowed fund can have a greater impact sooner, with a specific timeline or project in mind, but it is finite. When all of the capital and earnings have been disbursed through grants or scholarships, the fund ceases to exist.
Endowed or Non-endowed: Which is right for me?
Either fund can produce an abundance of good in the community. The primary difference between an endowed fund and a non-endowed fund is the permanency. If that is one of your giving goals, then an endowed fund is the best choice. If you are more interested in a finite period of giving, or not sure if you’re ready to create a permanent fund, then a non-endowed fund may be the right choice. Many non-endowed funds are later converted to endowed. Here are some thoughts on fund type:
Choosing an endowed fund
Creating an endowment is like planting a tree that will provide fruit for every season for years to come. An endowed fund offers a way for donors to fund a cause or organization they believe in, forever. Permanent gifts provide peace of mind knowing that the community issues and organizations you care deeply about will be funded on a regular and sustainable basis, both now and long after the donor is gone.
Donors recognize that endowments are particularly important when lean economic times hit, as they provide a base of funding that may allow the Homer Foundation to support community issues, even when annual donations are scarce. This is a way to support an organization’s work indefinitely.
Choosing a non-endowed fund
Many donors are motivated to give during their lifetime but are not seeking perpetuity. These donors may want to see the results of their gift. A non-endowed fund enables you to be responsive to immediate community needs with the full value of the fund.
Want to know more about non-endowed funds or the Homer Foundation? Drop me an email at mikemiller@homerfoundation.org, call 907-235-0541 or just swing by the office at 3733 Ben Walters Lane in Homer.
2020 Summer Picnic- COVID Style
The Homer Foundation has come to the hard decision to cancel our traditional summer picnic. Our picnic is usually held in July and is an informal event held by the board to thank our donors and fund advisors. Due to the uncertainty and health risks associated with group gatherings, and following the recommendations from the CDC and DHSS, we have decided to change the format of our gratitude. The board is still working on the details but we will be sure to let all of our donors know our appreciation in a COVID-safe manner.
Zero Interest Loan Option
Bridge Loan doubled from $5,000 to $10,000. More flexibility allowed. The Foundation has always had a 0% loan program for non-profit organizations with a $5,000 cap. This program is for non-profits experiencing a short-term cash flow issue. Due to general inflation since this was first enacted years ago, the Board of Trustees felt like a change in amount was necessary for our community and also gave itself leeway to both extend the traditional 60-day payback time frame and/or make some of or the entire loan forgivable if the situation warrants extraordinary action. Contact the staff if you have any questions about this program.
Quick Response Grant Updates
We have had a few organizations come to us with requests for help to change their programming in these COVID-19 times. Here are three examples of ways we are supporting our community with these transitions:
Friends of the Homer Public Library requested support for their Summer Reading Program
Center For Alaskan Coastal Studies has received $3,000 to help change their youth programs.
Pratt Museum has created a new position to help transition their summer programs into a digital format.
Other Grant Programs: Scholarships and YAC 2020
We are pleased to announce the 2020 scholarship recipients:
• Alain and Daniel Rieser Scholarship- Anthony Melkomukov, $3,000 • Beluga Tail Non-Fiction Writing Scholarship- Ruby Allen, $3,000, and Anthony Melkomukov, $3,000 • Health Care Providers Scholarship- Megan Kirsis, $3,000, Ruby Allen, $1,000, and Amber Bridgeman, $1,000 • Homer Community Science Scholarship- Ruby Allen, $1,250, Abigail Middleton, $1,000, and Rio Shemet Pitcher, $750 • Nikki Geragotelis (Fry) Memorial Scholarship- Colby Marion, $5,000, and Abigail Middleton, $1,000 • Sutton James Miller Memorial Scholarship- Anthony Melkomukov, $1,000 • Kachemak Bay Medical Clinic Scholarship- Autumn Carlson, $2,000 • Fish & Wildlife Scholarship- Autumn Carlson, $2000 • Nursing Studies Scholarship- Annali Metz, $1,500 • Drew Scalzi Memorial Maritime Scholarship- Jacob Clark, $1,000, and Amber Bridgeman, $1,000 • Heather Pancratz Memorial Scholarhsip- Sophia Klaich, $500, and Zachary Trail, $500
We are proud to support these students with a total of $32,500 awarded in scholarships this year. Way to go class of 2020!
For more information about our scholarship process, click here.
The Homer Foundation Youth Advisory Committee is pleased to announce the following recipients of our annual YAC grants that support fun and healthy activities for youth in our community: Homer Hockey Association to purchase new gear for the Microbell program, South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services to support the summer ReAKtion Club, Soccer Association of Homer for underwriting SPARC rental fees for youth activities, and Homer High School Student Council to support travel expenses to the AASG Fall Conference.
For more information about our scholarship process, click here.
Talk to your family about naming the Homer Foundation as a beneficiary through revocable planned giving.
Ask your employer to become a business partner.
Talk to your friends about why you give and encourage them to do the same
Social Media
Do you want to be sure you keep up with all of the Homer Foundation news, including weekly updates on our grants, funds, and community? Then be sure to like and follow us on Facebook or Instagram today!
Legacy Corner
Did you know it is easy to leave a legacy for your community?
Wills, Bequests and Living Trusts
If you are looking to leave the legacy gift via a Homer Foundation fund in your will, you are able to do so by adding as little as one sentence in your will to complete your gift:
“I give to the Homer Foundation of Homer, Alaska, Tax ID #92-0139183 (all, or __ percent of) the rest, residue and remainder of my estate for its general purposes.”
You can also be specific to a fund for a cause (arts, children, hunger, environment, etc). You can even specify a particular nonprofit agency. For more options, please click here for sample bequest language to be included in your will or other estate documents.
This type of donation in your will or living trust helps to ensure that we are able to sustain the issues you cared about in your life for years to come.
Beneficiary Designations
Another simple way to leave a legacy is through life insurance. By designating the Homer Foundation (or a particular cause or fund) as the beneficiary of the policy.
A beneficiary designation can be in:
IRAs and retirement plans
Life insurance policies
Other Donor-Advised Funds
It takes three simple steps to make this type of gift. Here is how to name the Homer Foundation as a beneficiary:
1. Contact your retirement plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution for a change-of-beneficiary form.
2. Decide what percentage (1% to 100%) you would like us to receive and name us, along with the percentage you chose, on the beneficiary form.
3. Return the completed form to your plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution.
From left: Flo Larson, Sophie Samuseau, her son, and Peter Larson.
Sitting in my garden, during this quarantine due to Covid-19, I took time to look back over my life and especially to think about all the travels I did and the exchange student experience I had when I was 18.
First of all, let me introduce myself: I am Sophie, born on the 22 of June 1969. I spent a year in Homer as AFS foreign exchange student from July 1987 till end of June 1988. Some of you might have met me at this time. This year in Homer has greatly enriched me and contributed to the person I am today.
I first stayed with Diane and Tony Borgman, then some time with the Marleys and, finally, with Florence and Peter Larson.
I was a senior in HHS, along with Keiiche Homna from Theshio, Japan (Homer’s Sister city) and Nariman Movaffagh, who was a political refugee from Iran.
Prior to that year in Homer as an exchange student, I had however already lived a year out of France when I was a teenager. My father was hired in Gabon, Africa. He took his whole family with him and I thus lived there almost one year. I would not totally compare this year spent in Africa with the year spent in Homer, as Gabon is a French- speaking country and I was there with my parents. But, to me, this year in Africa was my first experience to get to discover other cultures and to always keep my mind open.
My year in Homer as an exchange student had a deep impact on me. Not only did I have to adapt to a different culture but I also became my host families’ daughter. I do not believe that many people can pretend they have three or four families. I am, furthermore, very fortunate to still be in contact with my “parents” from Homer and proud that they consider me as their “French daughter”. I am even happier that I came to Homer in August 2011 with my son, who was 9 years old to show him a part of the world and to get him to meet my hosting families, while seeing the place where I stayed at the age of 18. He just loved it and keeps on telling me, even 9 years after, that this is one of his best travel memories.
After my year in Homer, I have since managed to either work in an international environment, or to meet people from other places by having a bed and breakfast activity at my house, or to travel to many foreign countries, always picking one where I have never been before. No matter if it is a short stay, my goal of being in the country is to live like the locals do; to feel the differences between their culture and mine and to not judge people because they do not act like me. This, to me, is one of the key beliefs that I learned through my experience.
And I will keep on acting this way as long as I can. Every time I get the chance to meet various people, it enables me the chance to learn about new and different habits and to better understand other cultures. I wish to always be able to go over prejudices, and, moreover, to fight them.
Sophie
Sophie Samuzeau works at a cognac distillery and runs a bed and breakfast in Cognac, France.
What an unusual experience it was for our Youth Advisory Committee this school year. Our YAC participants were members of the Homer Middle School National Junior Honor Society – seventeen highly committed, capable, and eager eighth grade students. As NJHS members, they imagined school spirit activities and community volunteer projects they would accomplish during the second half of the school year, nearly all of which were interrupted by the sudden closure of the school in March. Nevertheless, thanks to Zoom, the kids were able to fulfill their requirements as youth advisors to the Homer Foundation.
Youth Advisory Committee
The Homer Foundation Youth Advisory Committee is pleased to announce the following recipients of our annual YAC grants that support fun and healthy activities for youth in our community: Homer Hockey Association to purchase new gear for the Microbell program, South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services to support the summer ReAKtion Club, Soccer Association of Homer for underwriting SPARC rental fees for youth activities, and Homer High School Student Council to support travel expenses to the AASG Fall Conference.
More than ever, the dedication of our members this spring demonstrated how empowering it is for youth to be offered the opportunity to make impactful decisions for their community. I wish you could have overheard the kids as they discussed and debated the merits of each grant application in their Zoom breakout rooms. They listened, they learned, they compromised, and in the end, they came together and made thoughtful and careful decisions. Our YAC members handled their responsibilities with maturity far beyond their years. They were determined, despite their separation and isolation, to come together as a positive force our community.
Bonnie Jason, Homer Foundation YAC Advisor
We appreciate our donors, who have confidence in our ability to make thoughtful decisions. Thank you to Dave and Beth Schroer, Elaine Grantier, Shirley Fedora, the donors to the Ashley J. Logan fund, and to Robert and Melon Purcell, who established the Sheldon Youth to Youth Fund to help support YAC’s efforts.
The generosity of these individuals, as well as the support of the Homer Foundation Board of Trustees and staff, enabled YAC to distribute a total of $5,000.00 this year.
The Homer Foundation has awarded nineteen scholarships totaling $32,500 to area students. These scholarships are supported by permanent endowments administered by the Homer Foundation and would not be possible without the vision and generosity of community donors. Since the Foundation began administering scholarships in 2000, it has awarded 289 individual scholarships totaling $335,990.
“These scholarships have value well beyond the monetary. It also sends the important message to each recipient and their family: ‘You have a future and we believe in you. ”
said Homer Foundation Executive Director Mike Miller
The success of the Foundation’s scholarship program depends on our school counselors, like Homer High School counselor Paul Story and staff who are on the front line, connecting students to scholarship applications, and the dozens of volunteers who made up these committees, sharing their time and expertise to read and rate applications, assuring a fair and equitable selection process.
Because of the donors who had the vision to establish these scholarships, and the community members that continue to support them, these endowed funds will be here to support the education of our youth far into the future. Tax exempt donations to support these scholarships, or any of the 68 funds managed by the Foundation, are appreciated and put to work in our community. Contact Mike Miller for more information: mikemiller@homerfoundation.org
Congratulations to the 2020 recipients:
Homer Community Science Scholarship: for post-secondary education in the life sciences. The fund was established by retired Homer High School Science teacher, Stan Eller, and is supported by community donations.
Homer High School students: Ruby Allen, $1,250, Abigail Middleton, $1,000, and Rio Shemet Pitcher, $750
Alain and Daniel Rieser Scholarship: established in memory of Alain and Daniel Rieser, it provides for a travel award or college tuition to a graduating senior with a flair for foreign language and/or interest in foreign cultures/travel.
Anthony Melkomukov, Homer High School, $3,000
Drew Scalzi Memorial Maritime Scholarship: established in memory of Drew Scalzi. The underlying philosophy of the scholarship is to nurture young adults pursuing their careers in the maritime field or who are from local fishing or maritime families.
Jacob Clark, Ninilchik School $1,000, and Amber Bridgeman, Kenai Peninsula College $1,000
Health Care Providers Scholarship: established by local health care providers to support local students committed to pursuing a career in a health care field. May be awarded upon high school graduation, or later in their educational career.
Homer High School students: Megan Kirsis, class of 2016, $3,000 and Ruby Allen, class 2020, $1,000
Kenai Peninsula College, Kachemak Bay Campus student: Amber Bridgeman, $1,000
Beluga Tail Non-Fiction Writing Scholarship: rewards graduating seniors that demonstrate exemplary skills in non-fiction writing.
Homer High School Students: Ruby Allen, $3,000, and Anthony Melkomukov, $3,000
Kachemak Bay Medical Clinic Scholarship: established by Dr. Paul Raymond to provide financial assistance to a public high school graduating senior in the greater Homer area who has best exemplified academic excellence, community and/or school service, and a strong work ethic.
Autumn Carlson, Homer Flex School, $2,000
Nikki Geragotelis (Fry) Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was established by the family and friends of Nikki in honor of the life she lived. The goal of the scholarship is to keep Nikki’s memory alive by helping students continue their education. Throughout her life Nikki had a “walk-on” spirit. A recipient is selected that exemplifies her sportsmanship, athleticism, integrity, friendliness, and hard-working nature, giving their best every time they step on the field whether at practice or for a game.
Homer High School students: Colby Marion, $5,000, and Abigail Middleton, $1,000
Heather Pancratz Memorial Scholarship: The communities of the Southern Kenai Peninsula lost a valuable educator in 2017. This scholarship was established to keep alive Heather’s commitment to her students and home community of Nikolaevsk. Heather is remembered for her belief in a loving God from which flowed compassion, love and a faithful devotion to family, friends, students and community. The Fund will continue her legacy through its support to students who exemplify Heather’s critical thinking, respectful questioning, and lifelong learning approach to life.
Nikoleavsk School students: Sophia Klaich, $500, and Zachary Trail, $500
Sutton James Miller Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was established in the memory of Sutton James Miller, of Homer, Alaska. In his short 6 months on the Earth, he showed a willingness to strive to learn new skills, excelled greatly in all areas of development, had an amazing love for people around him, and a standout attitude, which made an everlasting impression on those who met him. Everyone’s life was touched by his standout presence, and remembers his giggle, sparkle in his blue eyes, as well as his heart-melting smile. Sutton James’ name will forever live in the Homer community, via this scholarship, becoming an everlasting legacy where he will give a graduating senior a head start in their next step in furthering their education. Candidates show ambition, giving their absolute best while staying positive, have a passion for life, and show strength while pursuing their best life. This scholarship may be used at a 4 year, 2 year or vocational school within Alaska.
Anthony Melkomukov, Homer High School, $1,000
Fish & Wildlife Scholarship: This scholarship was created by Steve Albert who is a resident of Homer. Steve dedicated his life to Fish and Wildlife management for the State of Alaska. The intent is to support Homer area students in pursuit of higher education in wildlife or fisheries biology or management, with a preference for students planning on working in Alaska.
Autumn Carlson, Homer Flex School, $2,000
Nursing Studies Scholarship: This scholarship was established to celebrate the memory of Eileen Albert. Eileen was a nurse throughout her life in Alaska, primarily as a school nurse practitioner, as well as a mentor within her field. This scholarship is intended to honor her love of nursing and to support students who are seeking this profession.
Annali Metz, University of Alaska Anchorage, $1,500
Author gives local. Area Non-Profit Gets Endowment Gift
Dana Stabenow at the groundbreaking ceremony for Storyknife Writers Retreat
The Homer Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Storyknife Writers Retreat Fund. The fund was started with a generous endowed gift from local author Dana Stabenow. She is also the Founder and president of Storyknife Writers Retreat. When asked why she chose the Homer Foundation to make this gift, Dana said, “When it came time to start an endowment fund for my nonprofit, Storyknife Writers Retreat, the Homer Foundation was the obvious choice — one local organization employing local people supporting another. It’s all about community for both of us.”
The new fund is an “agency endowment fund” meaning the gift will provide an income stream for the Storyknife Writers Retreat as long as it exists.
All funds held by the Homer Foundation are invested at Vanguard Investment Services and professionally invested and managed. This is the fifteenth agency endowment held at the Foundation. Last year $11,163 was distributed to area non-profits from these funds. Overall, the Foundation has 67 different funds. Besides the agency funds, there are also donor advised funds, field of interest funds, scholarship funds and the Homer Foundation Opportunity Fund, an unrestricted fund which allows the Foundation the flexibility to meet changing needs within the community. With earnings and donations, last year the Homer Foundation distributed $187,000 into the Homer area in grants and scholarships.
The Homer Foundation is a community foundation committed to connecting generosity to community need. Since 1991 the foundation has distributed over $3.2 Million in the southern Kenai Peninsula. For more information on the Homer Foundation please visit our website www.homerfoundation.org, like us on Facebook or call 907-235-0541.
We regret to announce we have chosen to cancel Halibut Cove Live for the 2020 season. We were so looking forward to seeing all of you in July, but without a crystal ball to see into the future, we have had to make the decision based on the current outlook and health standards. We were hoping the COVID-19 pandemic would not affect our summers here in Alaska, but with health standards of maintaining a 6 ft distance from non-household members, Halibut Cove Live is not feasible; our event location just does not have the capacity to allow this to occur. At this time, there is no indication these standards will change by the time of the event. We have decided to cancel this event in order to keep you and our communities healthy and safe. It is our intent to resume Halibut Cove Live next year, in the summer of 2021.
The Homer Foundation staff are here for you to answer any questions you might have about this event. Reach them at info@homerfoundation.org or 907-235-0541.
Homer Community Food Pantry Volunteers preparing food boxes
The Homer Foundation COVID-19 Response Committee has made the following grants as of April 28th, 2020.
Anchor Point Senior Center, $2,200
Homer Senior Center, $2,500
Anchor Point Community Food Pantry, $2,500
South Peninsula Haven House, $2,500
Homer Farmers Market, $2,500
Cook Inlet Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, $2,500
Homer Community Food Pantry, $600
Agencies can apply more than once for grants from the COVID-19 Response Fund. The award amount of up to $2,500 was designed to allow for flexibility from the Foundation to meet changing community needs. This is a pass-through fund and all donations will be awarded to community non-profits. Click here for more information on this fund.
In addition, the foundation has made the following Quick Response grants, from our other funds, to answer to organizations with other needs heightened by the pandemic
Bunnell Street Arts Center, $2,500
Pratt Museum, $3,750
Friends of the Homer Public Library, $2,100
Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, $500
Our Quick Response Grant program is our main grant program with no deadline for applications and has not been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have an active committee, comprised of board and community members, who meet as needed to respond to grant requests.
If you are a nonprofit organization, you may find more information here to read the guidelines and apply for either of these grant programs. Or please feel free to contact the Homer Foundation here.
The cars and trucks were lined up at the Homer United Methodist Church parking lot through the lunch hour Monday, and they kept coming into the afternoon. Some drivers wore masks and gloves, and so did most of the volunteers, bundled against a cold wind as they offered a quick greeting. The new drive-through line provides scant interaction. But a surprising number of drivers were first-timers, offering to show their identification to prove they live in Homer.
All we need to know is how many are in your household, the volunteers said.
Each vehicle got a paper bag of produce, and a box with peanut butter and canned vegetables and baked goods. Two boxes, for the biggest families. And this week, something extra in each box: a handful of chocolate Easter eggs.
Amid retail closures, economic uncertainty, and pandemic anxiety, weekly traffic to the Homer Community Food Pantry is on the rise. Nearly 220 food boxes were given out this week. Food kept in storage is going fast. The pantry depends entirely on local donations. Monthly spending for food is expected soon to double.
Likewise, at the Anchor Point Food Pantry, recipients are now limited to one bag of food each. Weekly household clients have tripled because of lost jobs. That number is expected to increase each week. Instead of serving a warm meal, clients get bag meals along with their drive-through pick up.
The Anchor Point Senior Center, meanwhile, has shut down, eliminating its weekly revenue stream, even as the kitchen continues to make free lunches for pickup and delivery. In similar fashion, the Homer Senior Center has closed its doors and eliminated congregate lunches, a source of income, while incurring new costs for to-go plates, hand sanitizer and stepped-up cleaning of the Friendship Terrace assisted living facility.
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are only starting to be felt in Homer. But managers of Homer-area nonprofits tell us hard times are coming for their organizations and their clients — many of whom live paycheck-to-paycheck, without savings to carry them through six months of economic lockdown.
Fortunately, something else is happening on the South Kenai Peninsula. You won’t be surprised to hear that Homer has already started showing compassion in this time of need.
Donations of money and volunteer time are flowing to the nonprofit service providers, to the Salvation Army, to the I Love Homer relief fund established by the Church on the Rock, and to the Homer Foundation’s new COVID-19 Response Fund.
Thanks to the town’s quick generosity, our community foundation has already been able to grant money to the two senior centers, shoring up their efforts in a time of falling income. We continue to work with the food pantries, in part through the Homer Foundation’s Community Chest, which every year sends thousands of dollars to the Homer pantry’s emergency non-food assistance program, to pay for things like medicine, transportation and rent for families facing unexpected bills.
As donations come in, we will be able to pivot through this crisis as new needs arise. We are working with South Peninsula Haven House, which takes on homelessness in our area through the state-funded housing assistance program. Like other agencies, Haven House is looking at lost revenues and increased costs due to the pandemic. Their thrift store is closed, but the rent doesn’t stop. The need for their shelter may rise as well, to judge from a United Nations report out this week documenting dreadful increases in domestic violence and abuse in a world under lockdown.
Hard times ahead. In addition to the economic relief funds mentioned here, we have been urging donors to continue supporting the other worthy nonprofits in the area, whose annual fund-raising efforts have been shut down. We’re looking at a year of belt-tightening all around, even for those who regularly reach into their pockets to give to others.
In the next week or two, congressional stimulus checks start showing up in local bank accounts. For many in our area, this $1,200 will provide vital assistance to help cover immediate bills. Thank goodness for that money. Some may choose to share their windfall with others in the community who need it more.
These are the times a community foundation was made for. We believe this worst of years will also end up showing Homer at its best.
By Mike Miller and Tom Kizzia
Mike Miller is the Executive Director of the Homer Foundation. Tom Kizzia is the Board of Directors Secretary.
Wondering
how you can help respond to community needs in the coming weeks of health and
economic crisis? The Homer Foundation has set up a new COVID-19 Response Fund
to channel local donations toward non-profit organizations serving the most
vulnerable families and individuals on the southern Kenai Peninsula.
One hundred percent
of donations to this new fund will go to agencies providing support for food,
housing and other needs of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve surveyed our
community partners and heard their needs,” said Mike Miller, Executive Director
of the Homer Foundation. “We’re only seeing the beginning of these effects.
Local providers are already straining to deal with the new realities of the
COVID-19 virus. Having access to this fund will make their jobs easier.”
Specific priorities in this first
phase of the Homer Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund will be:
* to provide grants to nonprofits providing human services and
emergency assistance (food, shelter, transportation, living expenses,
rent/utility assistance, etc.)
* to provide grants to non-profits serving vulnerable
populations, including children who are out of school, families without
childcare, people who have lost a source of income due to the pandemic, people
who are high risk medically, seniors, veterans, people who are homeless, and
individuals who lack paid sick leave or health insurance.
This new grant fund
comes with a shorter application and quick response. The maximum amount per
grant is $2,500 per request, and the Foundation plans to turn requests around
quickly to help agencies meet their missions.
The success of this effort will depend on local donations from our community. Anyone wishing to donate can follow the COVID-19 Response Fund link here. The Foundation can also be reached via info@homerfoundation.org or call the office at 907-235-0541.
Some of the money raised from community contributions will augment the Foundation’s Community Chest, which supports emergency non-food assistance in the Homer area. Other likely recipients of the funds include other regional food pantries, senior centers and domestic violence shelters, which provide housing assistance in the area. The foundation board also expressed an eagerness to work with local churches through this crisis. Those agencies are encourages to contact the Homer Foundation.
With many unknowns
ahead, including loss of jobs and impacts on tourism and commercial fishing,
the Foundation expects difficulties may continue at least into summer. The
COVID-19 Response Fund will give the Foundation the ability to pivot as
unforeseen needs arise. The Homer Foundation also encourages local residents to
give directly to community non-profits.
Miller said the
organization’s board met this week and felt an urgent close to home aid
campaign would find strong support and fit the Foundation’s mission:
“Connecting generosity to community need.”
To support other area non-profit groups not directly involved in this social response, the foundation plans to accelerate its turnaround for quick-response grant requests from its existing funds. Many non-profits on the south peninsula are hurting from the cancellation of public fundraising events and money-making programs.
The
Homer Foundation is a 501c3 not for profit corporation serving the communities
of the southern Kenai Peninsula. Incorporated in 1991, it was the first
community foundation established in Alaska. Born out of the combined vision of several
community leaders, the Foundation began with $75,000 in pledges from three
founding donors and has grown to have 65 different funds with total assets of
over $2.5 million. Since inception, the Homer Foundation has distributed over
$3.1 million in community grants and scholarships.
