Spruce Root is more than a lender — it’s a partner in building a resilient and thriving Southeast Alaska. As a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we provide financing, business coaching and financial wellness programs tailored to the unique needs of our region. Our mission is to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses that sustain local economies and uplift our communities. We do this through small business coaching, workforce development and career skills support, and financial programs to meet the unique needs of our region.
Spring is a great reminder to take care of yourself, whether that’s through growing your business through workshops or lending, developing your career skills or increasing financial wellness understanding. In this edition of the Spruce Root newsletter, learn more about our Resilience Circles program for Indigenous entrepreneurs, how to make personal finances less complicated and how young people are discovering climate-resilient jobs.
Seeking an opportunity to scale Native business and well-being in Alaska, Spruce Root and Jump/Scale launched Alaska Native Resilience Circles, a year-long cohort based program to support Indigenous entrepreneurs.
Spruce Root staff recently traveled to the community of Angoon to participate in a two-day career fair at Angoon High School. Held alongside the second annual Kookesh Basketball Invitational, the event provided an opportunity to connect with students, community members, and local partners in meaningful ways.
The cornerstone of Fishability Alaska will be a custom-built 37-foot landing craft, which is currently being built at Homestead Skiffs, a local boat-building shop. The vessel features innovations explicitly designed for accessibility, including a fold-down bow for beach landings, double-wide doors that meet the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requirements, and flush deck-to-cabin transitions to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices.
In the last few months, we've been giving snaps for a team member who moved on to another organization for a great opportunity, team members who are growing their skills and experiences in new roles, as well as our summer internship pool and new team members who are excited to jump into their roles at Spruce Root. We love a good team vibe. There's lots to celebrate so buckle in!
We're elated to announce that three Southeast Alaska businesses secured a total of $60,000 in funding to kickstart and expand their ventures. Spruce Root is excited to witness the positive impacts these businesses will have on our local economy. The U.S. Department of Energy also selected Spruce Root to receive a $2.5 million grant.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations selected Spruce Root to receive $2.5 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding as part of the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program. This funding will launch the Tongass Green Bank project announced by Spruce Root in 2023.
Three Southeast Alaska businesses – Four Winds Farm, Muskeg Munchikins and Adventure Harvest – have been selected as the winners of the 2023 Path to Prosperity Competition. Each winner will be awarded $20,000 to grow their businesses. To commemorate their achievements, each will receive a carved plaque as part of the formal winners' announcement at the 2024 Sustainable Southeast Partnership annual retreat on Monday, April 29th.
Spruce Root, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting rural communities in Southeast Alaska, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking $1 million investment from the newly launched Home Planet Fund into the Seacoast Trust. This infusion brings the total funds raised for the Seacoast Trust to $23.1 million, which will be deployed in perpetuity to support the work of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP).
Discover how the Alaska Fellows Program is transforming lives with exciting prospects in Sitka. Explore the impactful projects accelerated by the Spruce Root team during their recent meeting, and learn about the groundbreaking Resilience Circles gathering hosted by Spruce Root. Plus, get insights into how advocates are sharing Southeast Alaska's sustainability story on a national stage in Washington, D.C.
This month, we're thrilled to announce that Spruce Root is actively seeking a passionate individual to join us as a Community Economic Development Fellow, furthering our mission to drive positive change and sustainable development.
Every February, the career and technical education community observes Career and Technical Education Month to increase awareness of the role that CTE programs and practitioners play in fostering individual and community career success. CTE Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and work of our CTE partners and stakeholders at the local, regional and state levels.
Spruce Root, Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP) and the Seacoast Trust want to congratulate Gunnuk Anthony Mallot on receiving the Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award at the 78th annual National Association of Conservation Districts meeting in San Diego. The Olin Sims Award is conferred on one up-and-coming leader who demonstrates excellence in promoting and leading voluntary conservation on private lands.
