Blog Archives

Site Story: Grant Approved!

10/25/2019

By Kelsey Snyder, Thrivalaska VISTA '19-20

Serving as the Development Coordinator at Thrivalaska involves a lot of outreach to the community including creating relationships with donors and companies. I recently submitted a grant to Wells Fargo to help my host site complete a re-flooring project at our thread Resource and Referral building. One of the main goals for my year of service is to help my site see visible growth in their ability to reach out to companies and individuals in the community for project and program support.

During my first 5 months of service, I repeatedly saw the importance of in-kind and monetary donations to non-profits. Due to most of our funding coming from state-grants, we do not have easily transferable funding to support projects such as the re-flooring.

While the flooring project may not be seen as a dire need project, many families come to our organization looking for resources and we want to ensure they feel welcomed and comfortable while getting the help they need. We have used grants as an opportunity to gain funds for projects in the past such as new internet servers or other building updates in the classrooms. If approved for grant funds, you must use the funds given specifically for the project you had listed in your application.

My time writing the grant involved a lot of collaboration with my administration offices. I had to learn about the demographics our non-profit serves, and generate specific numbers to show the application board why our target population was in need. Writing this grant was a very useful way for me to practice painting a full picture of what my site does and the true difference it makes in our community.

The process began with creating an organization profile, simple information based on location and contact addresses. The large portion of the grant itself is the project proposal. You begin with funding purpose and describe what project you need funding provided. Many grant applications ask if there is a benefit to the company such as mention in a newsletter, daily paper, or on your website. This specific grant asked for information on how many low to moderate income group individuals you serve throughout the organization. Finally, you talk specifically about your organizations goals and accomplishments. This is where you get the opportunity to show the company why your program matters in your community!

After collaborating with my Executive Director and get approval to submit my proposal, we were told to expect our application to be reviewed within 45 days. Around a month and half after submitting our initial proposal to Wells Fargo, we were fortunate to receive an email letting us know that our grant has been approved! The email explained how we could expect a check in the mail within the next 8 weeks. As a non-profit, these application approvals are big victories!

In July, Ken Miller of Denali FSP Fundraising Consultants presented a fundraising seminar to the Fairbanks VISTA program.

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SIMPLE WAYS TO DONATE MONEY TO CHARITY

10/15/2019

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By Ashton Varner

At this point in my life, I am not often able to give back with money. Instead, I dedicate time and effort to the causes I support. However, several companies have programs that let me give back with the purchases I already have to make for myself. I am able to choose from large-scale charities as well as local non-profits.

This how-to guide is written for people like me who find it difficult to donate monetarily as well as people who want the dollars they were spending anyway to go even farther.

Registration for both of these programs is easy and 100% free.

First, Fred Meyer Community Rewards

Let’s start with Fred Meyer Community Rewards which donates “over $2 million each year - up to $550,000 each quarter - to the local schools, community organizations and nonprofits of your choice.”

Here’s how to do it:

1. Get a Card
To sign up for Community Rewards, you’ll need a Fred Meyer Rewards Card, which is totally free. These cards can be given at the register or at the customer service desk.

2. Register Your Card
Once you have a rewards card, register it online here. You’ll be able to connect your card to your personal information. Address and phone number are very important in making your life easier.

When you attach an accurate mailing address, Fred Meyer will send you monthly coupons that are specifically targeted to you based on the purchases you’ve made in the past. For some, that might sound a bit Big Brother but I’d prefer to receive coupons I’d actually like to use (for instance, produce & dental floss) than a random new product companies are trying to incentivize. Quarterly, you’ll receive a rebate voucher if you’ve earned 500 or more rewards points in that quarter.

When you register your phone number to your card, make your wallet lighter by leaving the physical card at home. Your phone number becomes your “Alternate ID” which you can type into the card processor at the register in the grocery store to be sure you are receiving your points and even at the gas pump to redeem your fuel points. You’ll also be able to add digital coupons to your account and have them melt away from your total at the register.

Further questions? Read the FAQ here.

3. Enrolling in Community Rewards
Once you’ve registered, follow this link or

1. Click on the logo below, then select “My Account” from the drop-down menu.

2. Find “Community Rewards” on the left side of the screen.

3. Click “Enroll”.

4. Choose a Non-Profit
Fred Meyers has 1730 pages of non-profits to choose from! These organizations span from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Your choice doesn’t have to be in the town you are currently in as long as it’s on the list.

Search in the “Find an Organization” box or “View By Type” to see genres of non-profits.
Tip: Search by agency name, zip code, city or state.

Once you’ve found the agency you’d like to support, click “Enroll”.

That’s all - you are set! As long as you swipe your card or enter your alternate ID at the register, your agency of choice will start earning from your purchases.

You can keep up with your previous quarter’s earnings on the same Community Rewards page.

5. Changing Non-Profit Selection
You can change your agency selection at any time. Simply click “Change Organization” and select a new agency.

Or click “Cancel Enrollment” to stop earning altogether.

Further questions? Read the FAQ here.

Next, Amazon Smile

The only difference between AmazonSmile and the original Amazon is the web address, smile.amazon.com. The shopping and checkout interface all stay the same. The only change that you as a consumer have to make is to shop and checkout through smile.amazon.com rather than amazon.com. You’ll be using the same Amazon account you always have!

In their own words, “When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.”

AmazonSmile has over one million organizations to choose from. These include local agencies as well as those with worldwide reach. Eligible products are marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation”. Of those products, AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price, which is the amount paid for the item minus rebates, shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes or service charges.

Here’s how to sign up:

1. Sign in at smile.amazon.com

2. Choose a Charity
You’ll be prompted to select a non-profit, either a spotlight charity or use the search bar.
Tip: Search by agency name, zip code, city, state or cause.

Hover your mouse over “About” to read more about the organization and click “Select” to choose.

On your AmazonSmile impact page, you’ll be able to see what your purchases have contributed. You can also change your chosen charity.

To access this page another time, hover over your “Account & Lists” on the top right side of the webpage. Nearly halfway down the list, select “Your AmazonSmile”.

3. Bookmark the Website.
To make it even easier to shop through AmazonSmile and be sure your purchases are supporting non-profits, you can add a bookmark to your favorite browser or follow these steps found on “Your AmazonSmile” page.

For further questions, check out the FAQ.

Finally, Charity Lists

Another charitable option AmazonSmile provides are called “Charity Lists”. Think of it as a wedding registry for charities. They select items they need from Amazon products and supporters can purchase those items in various quantities which will then be delivered directly to the charities.

1. Find a Charity
Browse by “Cause” or use the search bar.
Tip: Search by agency name, zip code, city, state or cause.

2. Select a list.

3. Go Shopping Based on Their Needs

4. Shipping
Be sure when you check out that the items meant for the charity are being shipped to the agency’s address.

5. Continue to Checkout as Usual

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Site Story: Re-Entry Simulation

10/11/2019

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What it's like being on the other side?
By Vicki Slobodyanik, Love INC. VISTA '19-20

The Fairbanks Reentry Coalition held a Reentry Simulation that I was able to be a part of. It was a very good opportunity to experience the life of someone who was incarcerated and is reentering society.

The simulation was a 2 hour event, and it started off with each participant being handed a folder that included the identity of an individual preparing for reentry and a list of scenarios and goals. We traveled around the room to different stations that represented different obstacles someone experiencing reentry might encounter like housing, career, income, counseling, food, etc. We were evaluated each week by a probation officer and either released for another week or sent back to jail. Additionally, we could not go on to the next station without providing a transportation ticket that cost money to obtain.

It became very frustrating and stressful at different points throughout the simulation because there were so many obstacles. I felt stuck! I was fortunate enough that I finished the simulation with a lot of money that I was able to share with other participants that were struggling. I felt accomplished after the 3rd week, but there were 4 weeks to get through. The first few weeks were just a frustrating process to try to get everything in order.

This session was very beneficial and opened my eyes to what these individuals really go through. I believe anyone involved in human services needs to go through a simulation like this to really get a grasp of what these people go through and become impacted just like I was!

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ALUMNI STORY: Meagan Scheer, '11-12 & '15-16

10/10/2019

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My name is Meagan Scheer and I served as a VISTA from 7/2011 - 7/2012 and then came back in 12/2015 for another round as VISTA Leader.

I am a military brat so I have lived everywhere; however, I spent the better part of my life on and off in Hampton Roads, Virginia. In 2011, I had been working full-time in a pretty toxic work environment for about 3 years and working towards my Associates Degree. I knew there was more out there for me so I applied for a VISTA position in Fairbanks and moved here in 2011 to serve at Love INC of the Tanana Valley. In April of that year, my project ended and I had the opportunity to begin work at Fairbanks Youth Advocates working on an outreach project. In that one year, I developed relationships that will last a lifetime.

After my service was over, I left to use my Ed. award to finish school in Colorado. There I worked another dead-end job (I really like to balance my work experiences) until I graduated and moved back to Virginia. One day I got a phone call from my friend and fellow VISTA co-worker at FYA to let me know she was leaving her position as VISTA leader and that I should apply.

I laughed and laughed. It was 90 degrees in October in Virginia Beach and I was sipping on a frosty PBR while Sarah told me it was snowing in Fairbanks and I should come work for VISTA wages again for another year.

Well, long story short, I applied and came back as Fairbanks VISTA leader. Here I was again: poor, working a hard job, and walking around in sub-zero temps.

Honestly, it was the best decision I ever made.

I had the opportunity to work with other VISTAs and help support them through their VISTA year. I met community members that have made Fairbanks a better place. I made friends that will last a lifetime. I worked at the University, the Borough building, had the opportunity to connect with other VISTAs in Anchorage and all around the state of Alaska. I was able to work with the Housing and Homeless Coalition, Access Alaska (where a huge part of my heart still exists), and now I work at the Girl Scout Council. I have the opportunity to volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club, the Ester Community Association, Bread Line, Angry Young and Poor, and other organizations.

Fairbanks has become a part of my soul. I owe my career and passions to the AmeriCorps VISTA program and to the community of Fairbanks. I hope that each and every one of you find your experience here as special as I have found mine.

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Site Story: Ready, Set, BUILD!

10/2/2019

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Hydroponics in Anchorage and Racing to Build a Grow Tower
By Leah Shaffer, FSWCD VISTA '19-20

The weekend of September 20th, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel from Fairbanks to Anchorage in a VISTA capacity with my supervisor, Mel. We were heading down to Anchorage to run a hydroponics workshop and visit Alaska Seeds of Change (AKSoC), the vertical hydroponic farm and youth services program that my VISTA project is based on.

We headed out to Alaska Seeds of Change where we were met by Sara Renard, the AKSoC staff coordinator. We stopped to discuss the successes and challenges of both AKSoC and the project I am working on, the Fairbanks Urban Hydroponic Farm (FUHF), and offered each other advice on methods of best practice.

After our mini problem-solving brainstorm, Sara took us on a tour of the facility. We saw the youth services room featuring a take-what-you-need closet, full access kitchen, and mental health counseling room. Then we moved into the greenhouse where we walked through rows of hydroponic towers and tasted lettuce and herbs. After exchanging business cards, we said our goodbyes. Mel and I were off to prepare for our workshop!

The next day started early as Mel and I headed over to the Z. J. Loussac Public Library to set up for the workshop. Our students for the day, all teachers by trade, arrived at nine and we got right into the hydroponics education. Mel took them through a PowerPoint to teach them all about gardening in the classroom, from soil fertilization to which types of seeds will grow best. Just before lunch we got up on our feet and explored different interactive stations, each with an easy classroom activity the teachers could do with their own students. Then after lunch, it was all hands on deck to build a seven foot tall hydroponic grow tower.

With power drills out and at the ready, instruction packets in hand, and disassembled buckets, pipes, and screws scattered around the floor we were given a challenge: build the tower in 1.5 hours, beat the previous workshop’s record and someone will get to take the grow tower home. With our deadline looming in the near future, we rushed into action, naturally splitting into groups to tackle different aspects of the tower. I got to work helping with the sump basin, which is the foundation of the tower and holds all the water.

While working I was able to chat with some of the teachers about the challenges they face in their schools, most of which had to do with funding. We also talked about how much their students love having green plants in the room. Teachers commented that it calms their students, helps them focus, teaches them how to be kind and caring and keeps them interested in coming to class because they want to see their plants. After an hour and a half, almost to the minute, we shouted success! With the grow tower standing tall and complete, we took off our protective eye wear and called it a (great) day.

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WHAT'S NEW?

Site Story: Grant Approved!

By Kelsey Snyder, Thrivalaska VISTA '19-20

SIMPLE WAYS TO DONATE MONEY TO CHARITY

First, Fred Meyer Community Rewards

Next, Amazon Smile

Finally, Charity Lists

Site Story: Re-Entry Simulation

ALUMNI STORY: Meagan Scheer, '11-12 & '15-16

Site Story: Ready, Set, BUILD!

Hydroponics in Anchorage and Racing to Build a Grow Tower
By Leah Shaffer, FSWCD VISTA '19-20

Archives

Categories

WHAT'S NEW?

Site Story: Grant Approved!

By Kelsey Snyder, Thrivalaska VISTA '19-20

SIMPLE WAYS TO DONATE MONEY TO CHARITY

First, Fred Meyer Community Rewards

Next, Amazon Smile

Finally, Charity Lists

Site Story: Re-Entry Simulation

ALUMNI STORY: Meagan Scheer, '11-12 & '15-16

Site Story: Ready, Set, BUILD!

Hydroponics in Anchorage and Racing to Build a Grow Tower​By Leah Shaffer, FSWCD VISTA '19-20

Archives

Categories

Hydroponics in Anchorage and Racing to Build a Grow Tower
By Leah Shaffer, FSWCD VISTA '19-20