The Foraker Group

Rasmuson Foundation was named the Wilmer Shields Rich Gold Award winner for Public Policy Campaigns by the Council on Foundations (COF). The Foundation was selected based on its work to increase individual giving in Alaska through Pick. Click. Give., which allows individual Alaskans to share their Permanent Fund Dividend with Alaska nonprofits. Awards for Public Policy Campaigns are bestowed once every two years.

In his letter to Rasmuson Foundation, COF President Steve Gunderson wrote that Pick. Click. Give. “demonstrates Rasmuson Foundation’s commitment to public accountability and effective communications and serves as a model of excellence for other grantmakers.”

“The Pick. Click. Give. campaign just completed its third consecutive year of 100 percent growth in the amount of dollars pledged,” said Rasmuson Foundation President Diane Kaplan. “The Foundation recognized from the start that this program would be successful only if we could construct a broad partnership of the public, nonprofit and private sectors.

“We know this program is making a difference in the lives of Alaskans, and we are appreciative of the recognition from our peers from across the country,” said Kaplan.

More than $1.5 million was pledged to 401 participating nonprofits through Pick. Click. Give. in the 2011 filing season. Top earning organizations received as high as $72,000 in support, with the average being near $4,000 per organization.