The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies (CACS) would like to thank the City of Homer Grants Program administered through the Homer Foundation for the operational grant of unrestricted funds that we received this past year and for their support of the nonprofits in Homer.

Most nonprofit organizations struggle to raise operational funds as many grantors prefer to fund projects and materials, and any operational funds that are received are extremely important to the administrative and overall functions of a nonprofit organization.

We are one of many nonprofits that offer important services to Homer residents. The local government dollars awarded by the City of Homer support our efforts to bring outdoor education programs to the community of Homer throughout the year and promote stewardship of our local resources.

Among the many ways that we try to contribute to the community, especially in the “off season” are through conducting monthly story hour programs at the Homer Library, hosting multiple free programs at our headquarters building during the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival and during the school year, producing a weekly Kachemak Currents radio broadcast on the natural history of Kachemak Bay, partnering with other local organizations such as the Homer Native Plant Society to bring evening lecture series to the public, providing monthly programs for the residents of the senior center and offering fun, engaging kid’s activities at the Homer Farmers Market in the summer.

We have also conducted an annual cleanup of Kachemak Bay that involves more than 300 volunteers — many of them students in our local schools. Through the annual CoastWalk cleanup our local volunteers typically remove over 2,000 pounds of marine debris! Support from the City of Homer also helps us leverage funds for other grants for local projects and programs.

Operational funds are critical to “keeping the doors open” throughout the year. Thank you, City of Homer, for all you do to support local nonprofits who are working hard to contribute to the great quality of life we all appreciate in Homer.

Beth Trowbridge, executive director

Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies