Wasilla, Alaska — The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) awarded 13 Healthy Impact and Target Wellness grants totaling $241,986 in May 2023. This brings total grantmaking for this year to $5,349,192.28. The grants support nonprofit organizations providing services to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su.

Target Wellness grants are for projects up to $15,000 and 11 grants totaling $141,987 were awarded:

• Alaska Professional Volunteers: $14,987 to provide advanced life support standby emergency medical services for the Alaska State Fair.
• Alaska Safe Riders: $12,500 to provide information and education programs on being prepared for Alaska’s potentially dangerous conditions.
• Compassionate Directions: $5,000 for consultant support to assist in adjusting its business plan to meet changing economic needs.
• Denali Arts Council: $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.
• Denali Arts Council: $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.
• Denali Education Center: $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.
• Knik Tribal Council: $15,000 to provide food for multiple camps offering healthy living activities for youth K-12 throughout the summer.
• MY House: $12,000 to fund grant writing support to apply for federal outreach program funds.
• REACH 907: $10,500 to fund grant writing support.
• Skeetawk: $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: $15,000 to support the 2023 Stuff the Bus back-to-school fair.

Healthy Impact grants are for projects more than $15,000 and two grants totaling $99,999 were awarded:

• Alaska Pacific University: $49,999 for a program to teach Mat-Su children and adults how to grow healthy food.
• Sultana New Ventures, LLC for Health TIE: $50,000 for the Health TIE Phase II: Capacity Building and Expansion project. Fiscally sponsored by Sultana New Ventures, LLC, Health TIE is a healthcare innovation hub that identifies relevant innovations for Alaska’s healthcare system and connects innovators to Alaskan providers interested in piloting creative solutions. This one-year healthy impact grant provides continued support to Health TIE to build on the successful framework established during the initial years.

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About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital to protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution. The MSHF mission is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su and the tools it uses include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change. The foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services. More information is available at healthymatsu.org.