About Us

Spruce Root is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that was founded in February 2012 with $500,000 of seed money from Sealaska Corporation through Haa Aaní Economic Development. Today the fund has grown to $3 million, which is possible thanks to grant, benefactor, and partner funds.

OUR VISION

We amplify our Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian ancestral imperative to ensure Southeast Alaska thrives for future generations.

Our Mission

We are a driver of a regenerative economy across Southeast Alaska so communities can forge futures grounded in this uniquely Indigenous place.

Our Values

Balance | Reciprocity

Native Knowledge | Indigenous Stewardship

Progress over Perfection | Learning at the Speed of Trust

Equity | Abundance

how we work

Spruce Root is partnered in building capacity and growing the economic strength of Southeast Alaska by providing:

Technical resources, entrepreneurial mentoring and business coaching
Small business lending in Southeast Alaska
Education and access to funding sources and collaborative partnerships throughout the region.

Our services for small businesses include coaching, training and lending for startup enterprises, working capital, business expansion, leasehold improvements and other business capital needs – We’re flexible! We will consider any business loan opportunity that will promote the economic development of Southeast Alaska. In addition to our services for entrepreneurs, we provide backbone support for the Sustainable Southeast Partnership.

We operate with the belief that the entire community benefits from locally-owned businesses that are strong and contribute to the local economy.

who we serve

Spruce Root serves 23 communities throughout Southeast Alaska from Yakutat to Hydaburg and everywhere in between. Our target market consists primarily of entrepreneurs and businesses residing in low-income rural and historically Native communities of Southeast Alaska. However, we enthusiastically welcome all regional entrepreneurs and it is Spruce Root’s policy not to discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. If you have questions or concerns, please visit here.

Spruce Root will work to accommodate individuals with limited English proficiency and provide free language assistance services for accessing our programs and services, as requested. For more information, call Spruce Root at (907) 586-9251 or email grow@spruceroot.org.