First Alaskans Institute funds healthy community projects.

• Author: Pounds, Nancy
• Position: FUNDING

First Alaskans Institute has awarded $500,000 to fund 18 projects promoting collaboration between community groups statewide. The projects aim is to plan and implement innovative and lasting programs that support healthy communities. The Community Engagement Awards is a pilot funding initiative of First Alaskans Institute. The awards are the result of feedback and recommendations from the nonprofit's efforts, including leadership conferences, education summits and research projects.

The projects chosen for funding address early childhood education activities that better prepare children for school success, increase high school graduation rates, connect elders and youth for cultural learning and promote youth leadership development opportunities.

Groups receiving funds were the Kuskokwim Native Association, the Maniilaq Association, the tribal government of St. Paul Island, the Native Village of Kalskag, the Pelican...