Spruce Root Inc

TO INCREASE AVAILABILITY OF CLEAN ENERGY, TO IMPROVE ENERGY RESILIENCY AND EFFICIENCY, AND TO REALIZE ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS IN RURAL AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES.

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING UNDER THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT (IRA) TO SPRUCE ROOT. SPECIFICALLY, THE PROJECT WILL ENGAGE RURAL, DISADVANTAGED TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE FACILITATING ENGAGEMENT OF DISADVANTAGED TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN GOVERNMENTAL DECISION-MAKING BY ASSESSING ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE POLICY NEEDS, PILOTING AND EXPANDING RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SUPPORTING ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE PROJECTS, AND BUILDING A SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY. SUBRECIPIENT:SUBAWARDS TO SUSTAINABLE SOUTHEAST PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL CATALYSTS FROM LOCAL TRIBES AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WILL SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT, DISSEMINATION, AND ACTING ON POLICY STRATEGY, GOVERNANCE TRAININGS, AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT. THE ORGANIZED VILLAGE OF KAKE WILL SUPPORT STAFF PARTICIPATION, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION IN KAKE. SITKA CONSERVATION SOCIETY WILL SUPPORT TRAINING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, REFINEMENT, AND DELIVERY. OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE 80 YOUTH TRAINED IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE, AND ADVOCACY, 100-200 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENGAGED IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOP, 3 TRIBAL COUNCILS TRAINED IN GOVERNANCE, POLICY ADVOCACY, AND GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION, AND 1 COMMUNITY POLICY NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIC POLICY PLAN DEVELOPED. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED CAPACITY OF RURAL INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA TO ENGAGE IN GOVERNMENTAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE AND IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE OUTCOMES FOR THESE COMMUNITIES. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

THIS EDA INVESTMENT SUPPORTS THE COALITION, LED BY SPRUCE ROOT, WITH THEIR PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE FOREST PRODUCTS CLUSTER THAT WILL ESTABLISH SOUTHEAST ALASKA AS A LEADER IN THE TRANSITION FROM A LEGACY NONRENEWABLE LOGGING ECONOMY TO A 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY POWERED BY SUSTAINABLE FOREST PRODUCTS. IF PROVIDED AN IMPLEMENTATION GRANT, THE COALITION PROJECTS PROPOSE TO CREATE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR TRIBAL AND RURAL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST ALASKA.

PURPOSE: TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (CDFIS) FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES 1) TO EXPAND LENDING, GRANT MAKING AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES IN LOW OR MODERATE INCOME COMMUNITIES AND TO BORROWERS THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT UNMET CAPITAL AND FINANCIAL SERVICES NEEDS AND WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC; AND 2) TO ENABLE CDFIS TO BUILD ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND ACQUIRE TECHNOLOGY, STAFF, AND OTHER TOOLS NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE ACTIVITIES UNDER A CDFI ERP AWARD. PLANNED ACTIVITIES: ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE FINANCIAL PRODUCTS, FINANCIAL SERVICES, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, GRANTS, LOAN LOSS RESERVES AND CAPITAL RESERVES THAT MAY BE USED TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC ON UNEMPLOYMENT, CHILDCARE, HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTHCARE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE, SMALL BUSINESS, SMALL FARMS, BROADBAND INTERNET, AND FOOD SUFFICIENCY. IN ADDITION, TO SUPPORT CDFIS IN BUILDING THEIR CAPACITY TO RESPOND TO THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF COVID 19, CDFI ERP AWARDS MAY BE USED FOR COMPENSATION PERSONAL SERVICES; COMPENSATION FRINGE BENEFITS; PROFESSIONAL SERVICE COSTS; TRAVEL COSTS; TRAINING AND EDUCATION COSTS; EQUIPMENT; SUPPLIES. END GOALS: EXPANDED FINANCING FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME COMMUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT UNMET CAPITAL AND FINANCIAL SERVICES NEEDS AND WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC INCLUDING SPECIFIC DESIGNATED COVID IMPACTED CDFI ERP ELIGIBLE GEOGRAPHIES AS AREAS THAT MAY BENEFIT FROM CDFI ERP ASSISTANCE. BENEFICIARIES: CERTIFIED CDFIS WHICH MAY BE FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION, PRIVATE NONPROFIT INSTITUTION/ORGANIZATION, AND OTHER PRIVATE INSTITUTION/ORGANIZATION, AS DEFINED IN 12 C.F.R. 1805, AND LOW AND MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. SUBRECIPIENTS: THERE ARE NO SUBRECIPIENTS FOR THIS PROGRAM. BROADBAND: SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES RELATING TO BROADBAND USAGE ARE NOT KNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD. REASON/PURPOSE OF MODIFICATION: NOT APPLICABLE.

SPRUCE ROOT RESILIENCE CIRCLES IS AN INDIGENOUS-CENTERED BUSINESS INCUBATOR HEADQUARTERED AT SEALASKA PLAZA IN JUNEAU, ALASKA. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE MENTORSHIP, SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND CULTURALLY GROUNDED WELL-BEING SUPPORT TO DRIVE A REGENERATIVE ECONOMY. BY LEVERAGING ITS HUB LOCATION WITHIN THE REGIONAL ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATION, SPRUCE ROOT OFFERS A PHYSICAL WORKSPACE, EQUIPMENT, AND ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED TRAINING FACILITIES TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS.THE PROGRAM SERVES A TARGET POPULATION OF ALASKA NATIVE ENTREPRENEURS ACROSS 23 COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA, RANGING FROM YAKUTAT TO METLAKATLA. THESE SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN ENTREPRENEURIAL CAPACITY AND FOSTER ECONOMIC RESILIENCE WITHIN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. THROUGH ITS ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (CDFI) STATUS, THE INCUBATOR PROVIDES A DIRECT PATHWAY FROM BUSINESS COACHING AND LOAN READINESS TRAINING TO FORMAL FINANCING AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT.AT THE CORE OF THE PROJECT IS THE RESILIENCE CIRCLES MODEL, A STRUCTURED 12-MONTH INCUBATION CYCLE FEATURING INTENSIVE IN-PERSON RETREATS, MONTHLY ONE-ON-ONE COACHING, AND FACILITATED PEER LEARNING CIRCLES. THIS MODEL INTEGRATES TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES WITH CONCRETE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, SUCH AS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE. THIS HOLISTIC APPROACH ENSURES THAT BUSINESS GROWTH IS BALANCED WITH THE PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY-LEVEL RESILIENCE NECESSARY FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY.SPRUCE ROOT REQUESTS AN AWARD AMOUNT OF $399,980.49 PER YEAR TO SUPPORT THESE OPERATIONS OVER A 36-MONTH PROJECT PERIOD. THESE FUNDS WILL ENABLE THE EXPANSION OF COHORT SIZES AND COMMUNITY COVERAGE, DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTING TO MEASURABLE OUTCOMES IN JOB CREATION, BUSINESS FORMATION, AND CAPITAL ACCESS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THE PROJECT IS SUPPORTED BY A 25% NON-FEDERAL MATCH FROM SPRUCE ROOTS GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS.

PATH TO PROSPERITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION: SOUTHEAST ALASKA

CDFI RAPID RESPONSE PROGRAM AWARD

NATIVE AMERICAN INITIATIVES AWARD

NATIVE AMERICAN INITIATIVES AWARD

SUPPORT CONFERENCES AND RETREATS THAT WILL BRING FARMERS TOGETHER TOLEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER AND FROM OTHER INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS TO PROMOTEBEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND AGRICULTURE IN ALASKA.

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

RBDG E REA

FY2026 MICROLOAN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR MICROLOAN BORROWERS AND PROSPECTIVE BORROWERS IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA

SPRUCE ROOT, INC. - AK TO ASSIST ALL ENTREPRENEURS BUSINESS OWNERS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS POSSESSING THE CAPABILITY TO OPERATE SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND TO ASSIST SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN THOSE AREAS SUFFERING FROM A LACK OF CREDIT DUE TO ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS UNDER THE PROGRAM THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SBA WILL MAKE LOANS OR PROVIDE GUARANTIES TO PRIVATE NON PROFIT AND QUASI GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS INTERMEDIARY LENDERS THAT WILL USE THE LOAN FUNDS TO MAKE SHORT TERM FIXED INTEREST RATE MICROLOANS IN AMOUNTS UP TO 50000 DOLLARS TO START UP NEWLY ESTABLISHED AND GROWING SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS THESE MICROLOANS ARE TO BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR WORKING CAPITAL INVENTORY SUPPLIES FURNITURE FIXTURES MACHINERY AND OR EQUIPMENT IN ADDITION THE SBA WILL MAKE GRANTS TO PARTICIPATING INTERMEDIARY LENDERS TO PROVIDE MARKETING MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PROSPECTIVE BORROWERS AND BORROWERS RECEIVING MICROLOANS UNDER THE PROGRAM SBA WILL ALSO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR INTERMEDIARY LENDERS PARTICIPATIN