We partner with nonprofits in the Anchorage area—plus many across Alaska. Because we stand at the intersection of their work and advocate for it, we see firsthand what nonprofits are facing and how they’re overcoming obstacles that could prevent them from providing their resources and services. Unforeseen challenges are confronting Alaska nonprofits right now. Between changes in federal appropriations and increases in cost-of-living expenses, financial support flowing into many of them has been scaled back. As a result, they’ve considered and adjusted the breadth and depth of their work. To help Alaska nonprofits during these transitions, we’re spreading the word about their resiliency and necessity. One way to highlight their value is by sharing how they’re responding to our community’s new reality.
Like us, you may have heard about some challenges impacting YWCA Alaska. Their CEO, Jessie Lavoie, used them to refine her nonprofit’s efforts. To understand how, let’s start back a couple years earlier. The nonprofit had navigated several adjustments, including updates to their strategic plan, which resulted in them being named a recipient of a federal grant of $500k to further youth empowerment. After a year, YWCA received notification that parts of their grant-funded work could not continue—so they readjusted their efforts once more. Rather than weakening morale, their excitement grew. “We realized that we need to get scrappy again,” Jessie said, explaining how she and her staff along with partner organizations, including United Way, have embraced the shifts. After some tough discussions, YWCA declined additional federal funding and instead forged a sustainable, innovative path forward for their work.
Adaptability, like YWCA displayed, accomplishes many things. It responds to current situations. It creates new partnerships and possibilities, and it discovers and advances impactful solutions across Alaska. This community-responsiveness is what United Way—and our partner organizations—are all about.
“People are participating in what we are offering,” said Jessie. “We have evidence to show that, yes, the community wants and needs what we do.” But where could YWCA best make a collective impact? Given what their strategic plan directs them to focus on, they landed on applying for a grant from the Anchorage Child Care and Early Education Fund, which would allow YWCA to help incubate childcare cooperatives. Once chosen, the nonprofit gathered individuals who want to open childcare facilities as co-ops but don’t know where to begin or how to get funding. Jessie said, “It will help families, not to mention workplaces and the economy.” In fact, they’ve gotten nothing but support from our community. Over the course of 12 weeks, eight Alaskans are getting to know each other, learning about the lending and licensing process, and forming partnerships so that they can develop business plans for bank loans to start childcare operations.
Although YWCA, like many Alaska organizations, pivoted to respond to changing financial realities, they remain committed to their mission and vision. With your support, local nonprofits will continue providing the resources and services that Alaskans need. Focuses on financial security, healthy community, and youth opportunity will stay forefront so that people can access what they need to thrive. Our partner organizations’ efforts improve Alaska—regardless of fluctuating federal appropriations or cost-of-living expenses. With your help, we’ll make sure their amazing work keeps happening.