If you had asked us at the Doyon Foundation that question a few weeks ago, our answer probably would have been “hmmm, we’re not sure…” For most of us, that goal sounds pretty out of reach. But within the past couple of weeks, we have seen first-hand that it is possible, especially with the outpouring of support from some of Alaska’s most generous organizations, companies and individuals.

It all started with one little seed, in this case, an email from Diane Kaplan of Rasmuson Foundation. This incredible organization offered Doyon Foundation a $5,000 grant to benefit our scholarship program, which each year provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to hundreds of students. With this seed money, we decided to establish a new competitive scholarship for Doyon Foundation students who are studying health, which is the number one field of study for our students, as well as a high-demand career field across the state and nation.

Wanting us to get the most benefit from their contribution, Diane encouraged us to seek a $5,000 match for the Rasmuson Foundation grant. That alone sounded like a pretty lofty goal, but our staff immediately set off to face the challenge.

Our first phone call was to the loyal group that comprises the Doyon Foundation Alumni Association. Time after time, these individuals have proven their generosity, care and concern for current students. At last count, 27 alumni members had already raised $1,300. We were on our way.

Next, we made a call to Tanana Chiefs Conference, an organization that is deeply committed to providing health care services to the more than 10,000 Alaska Natives living in Fairbanks and Interior Alaska villages. Their response was an incredible $2,500 donation to our effort!

Invigorated by the answers we’d received so far, we went into our annual fundraising event – the Morris Thompson Memorial Golf Classic – with high hopes that we would attain the $5,000 match with the support of the golfers and sponsors in attendance. We got that – and so much more.

When the golf classic attendees, who were already there supporting our scholarship program, heard about our new scholarship and our goal to match Rasmuson Foundation’s grant, they enthusiastically got on board. Norman L. Phillips, Jr., Orie Williams, Diane Kaplan, Aaron Schutt, Bobbie Quintavell, Victor Nicholas, Ch’izhur, LLC, Julie Anderson, Jim Johnsen, Mike O’Connor and ConocoPhillips all made incredibly generous pledges that evening, allowing us to easily reach – and extend beyond – our original goal.

Already surprised by the evening’s events, the next thing that happened rendered us speechless. We’d already raised a total of $10,200 – well beyond our $5,000 target – when Diane Kaplan took the stage … and announced that Rasmuson Foundation would match our match!

As our accountant Kelly Ward quickly tallied the results, we determined that we had raised a total of $25,400! Amazingly, this number continues to grow, as others hear about the effort and want to get involved.

With these funds, we are able to establish the new competitive health scholarship for Doyon Foundation students. This new scholarship will allow us to help ensure our students are prepared to enter the workforce in an important, high-demand field. It’s an undertaking that will benefit students and Alaskans for many years to come.

So now, when someone asks us, “How do you raise $25,000 in one week?” we’ll be able to answer, “All you need is a great idea … and some of the most caring people in the state of Alaska!”

Want to get on board in supporting our scholarship program? Contact us at 907.459.2048 or [email protected]!