Mat-Su Health Foundation awards over $240,000 in grants to local organizations

WASILLA — The Mat-Su Health Foundation recently awarded 13 Healthy Impact and Target Wellness grants totaling $241,986 to various local organizations.

According to a press release from MSHF, this brings total grantmaking for 2023 to $5,349,192.28.

These grants are designed to support nonprofit organizations that provide services to improve the health and wellness of Mat-Su Valley community members.

Healthy Impact and Target Wellness grant recipients include:

Alaska Professional Volunteers who received $14,987 to provide advanced life support standby emergency medical services for the Alaska State Fair.

Alaska Safe Riders who received $12,500 to provide information and education programs on being prepared for Alaska’s potentially dangerous conditions.

Compassionate Directions who received $5,000 for consultant support to assist in adjusting its business plan to meet changing economic needs.

The Denali Arts Council received $15,000 to fund the Green Light Circus Camp for certified coaches to provide training to improve mental and physical health in an inclusive setting for a diverse group of children ages 5 to 17 during the first three weeks of June.

The Denali Arts Council also received $15,000 to fund the Susitna Fine Art Camp to support two weeks of visual/dance/music art instruction for children ages 8 to 17 to include inspiration and creativity in the outdoors.

The Denali Education Center received $15,000 for the Talkeetna (and Denali) Discovery Camp to support a weeklong experiential learning adventure for students in first through eighth grade in Denali and in Talkeetna.

The Knik Tribal Council received $15,000 to provide food for multiple camps offering healthy living activities for youth K-12 throughout the summer.

MyHouse Mat-Su Homeless Youth Center received $12,000 to fund grant writing support to apply for federal outreach program funds.

REACH 907 received $10,500 to fund grant writing support.

Skeetawk received $12,000 to partner with Grants Pro, LLC to draft the Economic Development Administration grant application for funding the construction of Skeetawk’s new education facility.

United Way of Mat-Su received $15,000 to support the 2023 Stuff the Bus back-to-school fair.

Target Wellness grant recipients include:

Alaska Pacific University received $49,999 for a program dedicated to teaching Valley children and adults how to grow healthy food.

Sultana New Ventures, LLC for Health TIE received $50,000 for the Health TIE Phase II: Capacity Building and Expansion project.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com