TRUST AWARDS $75,000 IN EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY FUNDS TO BENEFICIARY SERVING PARTNERS

Anchorage, Alaska (January 31, 2018) – The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority has awarded $75,000 in one-time grants to five organizations that were damaged or who are experiencing programmatic disruptions as a result of the November 30 earthquake.

The Trust identified recipient organizations based on the results of a post-earthquake survey developed by the Foraker Group to assess facility damage and other quake related impacts in the non-profit sector.  Information from the survey allowed Trust program staff to reach out to southcentral beneficiary serving organizations to determine if they needed assistance recovering from damage or to return to normal operating capacity.

The organizations that received one-time earthquake response funds from the Trust include Focus, Inc., Catholic Social Services, Rural CAP, Volunteers of America, and the Presbyterian House.

“While the full impact of the earthquake may not be realized for several months, we are pleased to be able to provide this up-front assistance to organizations that serve Trust beneficiaries and their families; we hope these grant funds help our partners return to regular operations as soon as possible,” said Mike Abbott, Chief Executive Officer at the Trust.  “We appreciate the Foraker Group for leading on a post-quake assessment, and our community partners such as the Alaska Community Foundation, the Rasmuson Foundation, The United Way of Anchorage and the Mat-Su, the Mat-Su Health Foundation and others who are working to help Alaskan non-profit organizations recover from this event.”

“While the earthquake severely damaged our workspace, there is one foundation in Alaska that no earthquake can shake – the care and kindness of our community,” said Diane Poage, Executive Director of FOCUS, Inc. “The funds provided to us through Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority are greatly appreciated and come at a crucial time, supporting our immediate needs as we continue to provide services for families and work to restore a fully functioning workspace.”

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Contact: Allison Biastock, Chief Communications Officer

allison.biastock@alaska.gov

907.334.2531