Discover how three transformative laws — two federal and one state — are helping Alaska move toward energy independence. With climate shifts and rising energy costs impacting residents, these laws support innovative, resilient energy solutions that align with Alaska’s unique needs.
Spruce Root is making significant strides in sustainability and economic development! We’re thrilled to announce that Spruce Root has won Stage Two of the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, positioning us to lead strategic development in our region. Additionally, the Coalition for Green Capital has chosen Spruce Root as its first network investment, underscoring our shared commitment to green growth initiatives.
Resilience Circles hosted there second intensive, three-day participant retreat for Indigenous entrepreneurs. Participants engaged in an array of in-person works sessions covering personal and business financial planning, marketing and branding, physical health and nutrition, Indigenous values exploration talking circle.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced late September that Spruce Root is a Stage Two winner for the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC). Spruce Root will receive a $150,000 cash prize for its approach to nurturing a collaborative national innovation ecosystem to advance small business research and development, from the idea stage to the market.
President Joe Biden awarded Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl with a 2023 National Humanities Medal at the White House. The award, from the National Endowment for the Humanities, honors an individual or organization whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the human experience, broadened citizen engagement with history and literature or helped preserve and expand Americans' access to cultural resources.
Haley grew up in the Lower Hudson Valley region in New York and will be working with Spruce Root as the Community Development Fellow through the Alaska Fellows Program through May of next year. She attended Middlebury College in Vermont, where she earned a B.A. in environmental studies and geography.
As fall descends upon us here in Southeast Alaska, the rain and fog settles in for the season and things start slowing down. We’re also celebrating the addition of Haley Goodman, who joins us through the Alaska Fellows Program. We also say thank you to our Path to Prosperity Business Competition facilitators, sponsors and partners for helping us host another in-person intensive with this year’s finalists cohort.
In early September, the Sustainable Southeast Partnership (SSP) hosted the Home Planet Fund, which donated $1 million to the Seacoast Trust. Home Planet Fund is a philanthropic initiative that supports environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and community-driven solutions, investing in projects that protect natural ecosystems and foster renewable energy development.
As we celebrate the three-year anniversary of its launch, we are excited to announce that we have met a quarter of our goal to raise $100 million for the Seacoast Trust and now it is time to double it. Let's get to $50 million!
Learn how to deliver exceptional customer experiences with Spruce Root and the Disney Institute’s proven approach to service excellence. Celebrate with us as the Seacoast Trust reaches a significant $25 million milestone. Don’t miss out on the first-ever Southeast Alaska Emerging Leaders Summit in Sitka — a chance for young professionals to connect, learn and grow.
Explore opportunities to fuel your startup success with a loan tailored just for you. Learn key strategies for better money management with our Financial Wellness course in Craig. We also celebrate Holly Adams on the grand opening of Muskeg Munchkins in Juneau and highlight the Youth Stewards in Kake as they kick off their season with skill-building workshops. Plus, Marc Wheeler shares insights from the national Finance Forum to enhance Spruce Root's impact.
In this issue, we celebrate a year of remarkable achievements as detailed in our 2023 Annual Report, spotlight the inspiring entrepreneurial journey of Edith Johnson, and share opportunities to empower artists and future construction professionals in Southeast Alaska.
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.
