Wasilla, Alaska — The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently made 11 new grant awards totaling $360,104 to local nonprofit service providers for coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention and response. This is in addition to another nine previously awarded grants bringing the total to $738,228 awarded under the Coronavirus Prevention and Response (CPR) grant program. The foundation’s CPR grant program was developed over the last few weeks and will continue offering grants throughout the pandemic.

“As the impact of COVID-19 continues to develop across our community, we remain committed to supporting the nonprofits that are working incredibly hard to meet the essential needs of our residents,” said MSHF CEO Elizabeth Ripley.

The new grantees to receive funding under the CPR program include the following:

• Blood-n-Fire Ministries of Alaska: $49,450 to support the increase in staff hours and work-from-home capabilities, the purchase of quarantine and prevention supplies, as well as supporting operations which provide a critical safety net for housing and food needs during the pandemic.
• Covenant House Alaska: $15,000 to support Covenant House Alaska’s shelter services for homeless youth who are coming from the Mat-Su during the COVID-19 crisis.
• Daybreak: $35,784 for technology and operating expenses required to provide case management services and work remotely.
• Family Centered Services of Alaska: $36,800 for financial support to their Wasilla behavioral health client families so they can purchase food and other basic necessities.
• Mat-Su Health Services, Inc.: $50,000 to help lessen the impact brought about by the COVID-19 crisis by providing supplemental funding for staff performing necessary patient care activities that are not reimbursable through traditional means due to the changes in delivery models demanded by the virus.
• Partners for Progress: $23,070 to support housing assistance, foster care needs, and phone cards, as well as incentives for participants in the Palmer Therapeutic Courts.
• Set Free Alaska: $25,000 to assist with loss of revenue and increased expenses for delivery of behavioral health care during the COVID-19 crisis.
• Valley Residential Services: $50,000 to assist with unplanned expenses for response, maintenance and administrative responsibilities needed to provide housing support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Volunteers of America Alaska: $25,000 to support COVID-19 related expenses for the VOA ARCH residential treatment program which serves Mat-Su youth.
• Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc.: $50,000 to purchase transportation to further support their Meals on Wheels program serving Mat-Su seniors which has expanded during the COVID-19 crisis.

CPR grant applications receive expedited handling to help grantees experience limited disruption of service. In addition to offering the CPR grant program, the foundation has taken other steps to support grantees during this tumultuous time, including easing reporting requirements for new and existing grantees, and allowing for repurposing of previously awarded grants if the money is needed for coronavirus response. To further support the community, the foundation worked with Mat-Su mayors and other government officials to develop an advertising campaign to amplify the health mandates issued by the State of Alaska.

CPR grant requests may be as high as $50,000 per grantee. Approvals are prioritized as follows:

• Operational funding, supplies, equipment and other program costs for organizations that are trying to minimize exposure for high risk groups while meeting their basic needs.

• Operational funding, supplies, equipment and other program costs for organizations that are working to secure basic needs for all residents (i.e. food banks, homeless prevention program utility and rent payments).

Nonprofit organizations offering services to Mat-Su residents may apply for CPR grants online at healthymatsu.org.

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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 .