The Rasmuson Foundation's board of directors approved $9.6 million in funding for 18 nonprofit projects in Alaska at its biannual meeting Wednesday. Several awards were for $1 million or more. Groups received grants for a variety of projects involving health, education, history and social services.

The recipients, by location, are:

Anchorage

• United Way of Anchorage: $1 million to support the "90 percent by 2020" program to increase high school graduation rates.

• Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center: grant for up to $650,000 to install updated breast imaging equipment at the new health clinic.

• Access Alaska: $500,000 grant and $500,000 Program Related Investment loan to purchase and renovate its operations building in Anchorage.

• Rural Alaska Community Action Program: $450,000 to purchase and renovate a child development facility for low income families.

• Alaska Community Foundation: $350,000 for a fund established by the Alaska Railroad to restore historic steam engine No. 557.

• Lubavitch Jewish Center of Alaska: $200,000 to renovate a facility to house the Gan Yeladim Early Learning Center.

• Alaska Pacific University: $100,000 for activities to build student enrollment and increase annual giving.

• Anchorage Park Foundation: $100,000 for installation of two art panels as a component of the renovation of the Anchorage Veterans' Memorial.

Juneau

• Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies: $1 million to construct an extended-stay shelter for women and children.

• Juneau Cooperative Christian Ministry (dba The Glory Hole): $120,000 to make weatherization and energy efficiency improvements to its facility, which provides food and shelter to homeless individuals.

Kodiak

• Brother Francis Shelter Kodiak: $500,000 to expand and renovate its homeless shelter.

• City of Kodiak: $500,000 to construct a new public library.

• Kodiak Area Native Association: $100,000 to modernize the dental clinic in its Alutiiq Health Center with new dental chairs and equipment.

Kenai Peninsula

• The City of Soldotna: $495,000 grant to purchase fixtures, furniture and equipment for the expansion of the Joyce K. Carver Memorial Public Library.

Mat-Su

• Southcentral Foundation: $1,258,900 to furnish and equip a 21-chair dental clinic in the new Valley Native Primary Care Center in Wasilla.

Statewide

• Statewide Emergency Food and Shelter Network administered through United Way of Anchorage: $1 million for a one-time distribution of funds.

• Alaska Immigration Justice Project: $500,000 to expand the programs and services offered by its Language Interpreter Center.

• Rural Alaska Community Action Program: $250,000 to make improvements to Head Start facilities in several rural communities.

The foundation reports that it has made more than $200 million in grants over the course of its existence. The first grant was made in 1955, $125 to purchase a movie projector for the Wasilla Presbyterian Church.

Reach Mike Dunham at mdunham@adn.com or 257-4332.