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.

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.

We hope you are as excited for fall as we are. Spruce Root is offering a Business Basics for Artists workshop for all Southeast Alaska residents and Sealaska shareholders. The Sustainable Southeast Partnership catalysts connect through virtual culture camp and Lingít traditions. Some of our team members presented at U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola's forum on solutions to Alaska's outmigration crisis.

Twelve Path to Prosperity Business Competition finalists gathered at the Jorgenson House in Juneau to participate in a three-day intensive, where they learned about creating a business plan, the importance of financial projections and important customer service advice.  During these highly interactive sessions, finalists engage with Spruce Root facilitators, local business leaders who serve as mentors and each other as they grow a support network for each business.

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. 

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.

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. 

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! 

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.