Palmer Community Foundation

PALMER — The colonial town of Palmer has entered a new era of philanthropy. The Palmer Community Foundation arrived on the scene, and the new, self-operating affiliate of the Alaska Community Foundation held its kickoff event February 3 at the Palmer Senior Center.

“It is going to be driven by the community and by its donors,” said Debby Retherford, Chair of the PCF Advisory Board. “It will be an organization that the community funds and the community directs.”

This was an introduction to the Palmer-oriented entity and a ceremony honoring the city’s history of philanthropy and the many supporting links of partnering foundations today. PCF is the 10th and newest affiliate in ACF’s affiliate program. It is also the second in the Mat-Su Valley; the first being the Jessica Stevens Community Foundation (JSCF), who focus their efforts on the northern Susitna Valley.

“Really, this is a vehicle more than anything else,” Retherford said.

These foundations are designed to pool donations into an endowment fund and award grants to charities non-profit organizations specifically focused on their respective areas. About 8 years ago, Former PCF Chair, Tony Pippel, Retherford and others tried to establish PCF but were overwhelmed.

“We tried to do it on our own but it was a heavy lift,” Retherford said.

ACF’s Affiliate Program started in 2008 with 5 affiliates, bringing an additional four in 2013. PCF is blanketed under ACF who does the heavy lifting, the “back work.” ACF will oversee the big picture while PCF narrows in on the local level, working the non-profits tightly connected to the town. ACF helped PCF get off the ground, providing guidance, grant money, templates, and many more resources, including a 3 year employee, Jen Burkmire. Burkmire’s sole job is to help manage the program as PCF moves toward their $100,000 goal for a match grant from the Rasmuson Foundation, a long time affiliate.

“We couldn’t do any of this work if it wasn’t for the Rasmuson Foundation,” said Nina Kemppel, President and CEO of the Alaska Community Foundation.

Rasmuson will match every dollar PCF raises in grant money. If they raise $100,000 within the remaining three years of their four year goal, Rasmuson will award a $25,000 bonus. Alexandra McKay, Vice President of Programs at the Rasmuson Foundation came to the event as one of the guest speakers. She paid a lot of credence to change at the local level. So far, PCF has raised over $10,000 to toward their goal.

“We really believe in a community foundation model,” McKay said. “It’s really local where we think the work happens and really the most important work. You play an important role in strengthening the social fabric in this area.”

She said that when the social fabric of a community is strong, it will be “better off in every way,” establishing a “healthier, safer community that educates its young people.”

“You’re the ones here. Even though Anchorage is so close, we really can’t know what you want here on the ground,” McKay said.

Kemppel came to the event to welcome PCF to the scene. She is eager to see the extension of ACF grow, after finally becoming a reality and taking its “first steps.”

“It’s sort of like a first child for me,” Kemppel said.

She said that over the years, ACF plans to take on even more affiliates from across the state. She stated that in 2017 the affiliated raised a combined total of $600,000 in gifts and gave out more than $320,000 in grants. She thanked the PCF advisory board for their insight into a town they’ve grown accustomed to looking out for, “they have brought a new sense of enthusiasm. Growing philanthropy in Alaska can only happen if we have giving at the local level.”

The PCF advisory board consists of long-time Palmer residents and active members of the community. On the board is Retherford as Chair, Sabrena Combs as Vice Chair, Marcie Bentti as Secretary/Treasurer, Pat Chesbro, Scott Hamilton, Jan Newman as board members, and Burkmire as Program Manager. Retherford said they plan to add at least three or four additional members to the board. She hopes to add more diversity the board, gathering people from all walks of life. The board only has one male and she said that they need more men on the board, preferably one young adult and one retired.” Seven people expressed interests in joining the board once the event came to a close.

to Palmer Soccer Club and

During the event, PCF awarded $2,400 to the Palmer Soccer Club and $2,600 to the Palmer Emergency Food and Community Services in grant money. As of now, PCF will have 1 grant cycle per year with plans to have more in the future.

“Really, this is a vehicle more than anything else,” Retherford said. “Philanthropy is more about community building and making our community a better place in a more long term strategic way.”

For more information about PCF, visit www.palmercf.org or call 855-336-6701 for Jen Burkmire.