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GCI Suicide Prevention Fund

Alaska's suicide rate is more than twice the national average — and even higher in rural areas. GCI is committed to doing something about it.

 

More than $100,000 donated each year

Through the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund, our goal is to make a lasting positive impact on reducing rates of suicide in Alaska.

Eligible organizations can apply for grant funding for eligible projects.
Learn more

Making positive change

Over the last three years, GCI has given nearly $500,000 to organizations working to combat suicide in Alaska by promoting mental wellness through strengthened community and personal connections.

Supporting Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

With support from the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is raising student awareness about suicide prevention strategies through Sources of Strength, a nationally recognized youth suicide prevention program.

Promoting positivity with MyHouse

“Stay, discover what you were made for.” That’s the message of MyHouse’s suicide awareness and prevention program STAY, supported by the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund. See how this message has penetrated the community. This message is for all Alaskans and through outreach, T-shirts, wristbands, a music video and more, the message has penetrated the community.


About the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund grant application

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit or equivalent organizations located in the state of Alaska. Equivalent organizations may include tribes, schools, churches, local government agencies and programs.

Eligible projects:

Preference will be given to projects that:

  1. empower Alaskans to work together to promote community wellness
  2. demonstrate measurable results, accountability, cultural sensitivity, and unify communities
  3. will impact communities that might not have easy access to suicide prevention support programs and
  4. focus on at least one of the following areas as a way to decrease suicide in Alaska:
  • Addressing generational trauma
  • Veteran connectedness
  • Means restriction / Gun safety
  • Increased connectivity to treatment services
  • Youth coalitions
  • Primary prevention
  • Support for those already doing this work in communities
  • Building on past successes
  • Support of needs assessments
  • Community mobilization
  • High-risk populations

View the full grant application guidelines.

The 2021 grant application is open from June 15–July 30, 2021. To learn more and apply, please visit the grant application portal.



Get involved

Do you want to contribute to suicide prevention in Alaska? Make a donation to the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund through the Alaska Community Foundation.

 

For more information or to add to the fund:
info@alaskacf.org | (907) 334-6700 | www.alaskacf.org.

GCI has awarded grants to the following organizations

GCI awarded grants ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 for a total of $114,000. The following nonprofits received funding:

  • Alaska Council of School Administrators - Share your Story, Make your Mark 
  • Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance - Empowering families and health care providers to treat eating disorders and reduce suicide risk
  • Aleut Community of St. Paul Island - Re-imagining Hope Through Reunifying Community
  • Bethel Community Services Foundation, Inc. - Healing through Music and Dance (HMD)
  • Camp Fire Alaska - Camp Fire Rural Alaska Program
  • Choosing Our Roots - COR GCI Suicide Prevention Project Proposal
  • Community Connections - Sensory Room & Art Room Equipment
  • Kuspuk School District - Student Health Intervention Program (SHIP)
  • NAMI Juneau - "Why I Stay" Oral History Project
  • Native Village of Buckland - Native Village of Buckland Suicide Prevention Program
  • Native Village of Tanacross - Tanacross Wellness Team
  • Native Village of Unalakleet - Youth Cultural Education
  • OPT-In Kiana - Cultural and Leadership Development 
  • Team Red, White & Blue - Supporting Veterans in Rural Alaska Through Events and Virtual Engagement 
  • Women in Safe Homes - Ketchikan Peer Education Program 
National Suicide Prevention Graphic
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889.

Learn more about other GCI Gives Programs:

GCI Gives Grant

See how we elevate cultural arts and innovation, education, healthy communities, and more.

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The GCI Scholarship Program

For the last 20 years, we’ve donated over $6 million to promising Alaskan students.


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Volunteerism

In 2019, GCI employees invested more than 5,300 hours to support nonprofits across the state.             


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