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Supporting Our Communities

GCI Suicide Prevention Fund application is open, nonprofits around Alaska encouraged to apply for 2022 grant program

GCI Suicide Prevention Fund annually distributes $100,000

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — From now through June 15, nonprofits in Alaska can apply for the 2022 GCI Suicide Prevention Fund. Since 2017, GCI has contributed more than $600,000 to nonprofits that focus on preventing and reducing the rate of suicide in Alaska by promoting mental wellness and making community-minded connections. 

GCI changed the timeline for the 2022 application in order to have the process complete before the critical summer season when many in rural Alaska may be departing for summer fish camps and subsistence activities. With this change, GCI is reinforcing its commitment to rural Alaska and respect for Indigenous culture and traditional practices. According to the CDC, promoting connectedness is one of the leading ways to reduce suicide, which is why, as a connectivity provider, GCI is so committed to supporting suicide prevention.

“GCI has strong connections with all the communities we serve, and we recognize the unique needs of Alaskans,” said GCI Rural Affairs Director Jen Nelson. “Moving the deadline was an easy change that we hope will make the process accessible to even more applicants. This is such important work, we want to make sure Alaskan organizations across the state have every opportunity to apply.”

According to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Alaska has one of the highest rates of suicide per capita in the nation.

Once all grant applicants have been considered, recipients will be announced this September during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Recipients of grant funding will be decided based on the fund’s goal of making a lasting, positive impact on reducing the rate of suicide in Alaska. 

In past years, the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund has been a catalyst for projects promoting well-being in communities across the state. One positive example is  grant recipient Gold Star Peak, an organization which — despite many challenges surrounding COVID-19 — reported it had its most impactful year to date.

The organization assists in honoring and remembering fallen soldiers and the sacrifices their families have endured. Gold Star Peak has served 574 active-duty service members, veterans, and Gold Star Families. The organization also reports those who have been served often return to volunteer.

In Kiana, Opt-in Kiana, a nonprofit that believes youth connecting to their Inupiaq culture will enrich their lives, reported getting funding from the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund was critical to support its young people after the community was reeling from two suicides in the past three years.

Camp Fire Alaska‘s rural program, another grant recipient, used funds to develop new activities for teens emphasizing mental health, wellness, and prevention. The program also used funds to support staff in evidence-based suicide prevention training to identify and connect to those in need of mental health support.

For more information about the GCI Suicide Prevention Fund including the application requirements, visit www.gci.com/why-gci/gcigives/gci-suicide-prevention-fund

About GCI Gives

GCI is one of Alaska’s leaders in corporate philanthropy, donating approximately $2 million each year in cash, products and connectivity to around 200 organizations across the state. GCI is committed to giving back to the communities it serves and provides employees with 16 hours of paid leave to volunteer with local organizations. In 2021, 460 GCI employees volunteered more than 4,460 hours.

About GCI

Headquartered in Alaska, GCI provides data, mobile, video, voice and managed services to consumer, business, government, and carrier customers throughout Alaska, serving more than 200 communities. The company has invested more than $4 billion in its Alaska network and facilities over the past 40 years and recently launched true standards-based 5G NR service in Anchorage, now the nation’s northernmost 5G service area. Learn more about GCI at www.gci.com. GCI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Broadband Corporation (Nasdaq: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP). Learn more about Liberty Broadband at http://www.libertybroadband.com.