It feels way too soon to say goodbye to summer

September is right around the corner and it has us feeling nostalgic for an amazing summer season. Going for hikes, hanging out on the beach or going for boat rides were a crucial part of our experiences. Summer is a time for culture camps, Alaskan youth stewards field seasons, etc. We hope you had a great summer.

Welcome to the new Spruce Root team members!

Our team has grown significantly in the last few months, adding four new team members to our staff.

Lisa Nelson ~ Lisa is the new Resilience Circles director. JumpScale and Spruce Root launched Resilience Circles in 2023 as a trauma-informed, culturally responsive program to enhance the well-being and success of growing Native-led organizations. You can learn more at wejumpscale.com/resilience-circles

Brooke Leslie ~ Brooke is the Rural Economic Development Catalyst with Spruce Root and the Sustainable Southeast Partnership. Brooke is responsible for catalyzing and supporting economic development activities in communities throughout Southeast Alaska.

Bobbie Meszaros ~ Bobbie joins us as Spruce Root's Development Director is responsible for leading fundraising for the organization’s budget and for the Seacoast Trust, including donor stewardship and campaign management.

Haley Armstrong ~ Haley is the Program Manager for Financial Wellness. Haley is responsible for providing technical assistance to individuals looking to improve their financial literacy, gain access to financial products, and build their wealth through one-on-one client coaching and group training programs.

Final Deadline to Register for Business & Balace

One of the most common challenges we hear from business owners is about finding balance. When there are “never enough hours in the day” to complete essential tasks, it becomes almost impossible to do the things that matter most. Join us for Business & Balance and learn tools to create a business that aligns with your values and lifestyle.

Path to Prosperity Business & Balance is a transformational course that will help you build a thriving business and a balanced life. During this 9-week course (online via Zoom), you will invest in your personal well-being, develop strategies to generate more income, deepen the connection between your business and your local community, and unlock your potential as an entrepreneur and leader.

Participants who complete this course will be eligible to compete in the Path to Prosperity Program for three $20,000 awards. Businesses that choose to compete will be judged based on their feasibility and their contributions to community development.

Deadline to register is August 31, 2023.

Calling Haines artists! Sign up for Chilkoot Business Basics for Artists

We are still taking registrations for our Business Basics class for Artists class, sponsored by the Chilkoot Indian Association, on September 13-14 at the Haines Borough Library.

The class is free and open to artists who work with the Alaska Arts Confluence and CIA Tribal members.

To sign up for the class, click here!

Topics will include pricing and marketing your art, financial projections, branding and customer discovery, and how to write a basic business plan.

Deadline to sign up is September 7, 2023.

Spruce Root teams meet in Cordova to build relationships, learn about mariculture

The Spruce Root Technical Assistance and CDFI teams met in Cordova to connect and build relationships, deepen our understanding and skills to actualize our mission and vision, and engage in hands-on learning.

The Native Conservancy talked about their workforce development efforts. Their boat-building program and mariculture immersion cohorts are removing barriers to entry for Indigenous folks looking to participate in Alaska's blue industry (mariculture and fisheries).

The mariculture immersion program has supported Sustainable Southeast Partnership partners looking to build out mariculture programs in both Kake and Prince of Wales.

SSP Healing Committee seeks input

Thank you to all our partners, supporters, donors and communities for continuing to share in our vision for the region!

Spruce Root is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). 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 are a driver of a regenerative economy across Southeast Alaska so communities can forge futures grounded in this uniquely Indigenous place.