Mat-Su Health Foundation Announces More than $900,000 in Grants for March 2023
Contributed by Ahliil Saitanan
Wasilla, Alaska — The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) awarded 18 Healthy Impact, Target Wellness, Strategic and Discovery grants totaling more than $900,000 in March 2023. The grants support nonprofit organizations providing services to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su.
Healthy Impact grants are for projects more than $15,000 and three grants totaling $580,000 were awarded:
● Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services: $50,000 for a new Freedom Outpatient vehicle.
● Palmer Family Church of the Nazarene: $500,000 to build Palmer Family Park.
● Valley Charities, Inc.: $30,000 for the Mat-Su Reentry Housing Project.
Target Wellness grants are for projects up to $15,000 and 11 grants totaling $89,525 were awarded:
● Alaska Assistance Dogs: $15,000 for therapy dog programs.
● Epilepsy Foundation of America: $10,700 for the Seizure Safe Alaska program.
● Glacier View Community Council: $1,500 for 2023 health fair.
● Meadow Lakes Community Development Inc.: $5,500 for the Meadow Lakes Community Park Project.
● Meadow Lakes Seniors, Inc.: $2,000 for 2023 health fair.
● Peer Power: $15,000 for Peer Power Annual Summit and Community Outreach.
● Pioneer Amateur Hockey Association: $10,600 for a gear rental program.
● Sunshine Station Child Care Center: $12,825 for expansion of their childcare facility.
● United Way of Mat-Su: $10,500 for Community Innovation Grant Proposal. Technical assistance in preparation for a proposal for a Community Innovation Grant for Child Care grant opportunity.
● Valley Charities, Inc.: $5,000 for the National Association of Reentry Professionals 2023 Conference.
● Wasilla Middle School: $900 for a Kids Don’t Float pool session.
Discovery grants are for projects up to $15,000 that address recommendations found in MSHF-sponsored research reports and encourage innovative responses to address key areas identified in the reports that impact MSHF focus areas. One grant totaling $100,123 was awarded:
● Pediatric Resource Center of Alaska: $100,123 for the Career Connect Program
Strategic Grants are used to fund proactive systems improvements often resulting from local or statewide coalition work involving MSHF staff and community partners. Strategic Grants are intended to build the community health capacity of coalitions and collaboratives or launch program/organizational efforts that fill gaps in the Mat-Su system of care. Three grants totaling $196,655.70 were awarded:
● LINKS Mat-Su Parent Resource Center: $102,000 for Crisis Now system and client support.
● Meadow Lakes Seniors, Inc.: $14,655.70 to replace Meadow Lakes Senior Housing and Community Center boiler.
● Upper Susitna Food Pantry: $80,000 to provide food, fuel and hygiene-related assistance for Mat-Su residents in need.
Information about all Mat-Su Health Foundation grant programs is available at healthymatsu.org. Applications for all grants are available online and open year-round.