Are you always on the go? Do you have a long commute and want to spend that time learning something new? You might want to try podcasts. Podcasts are basically downloadable audio files, often in the format of a radio show with a host, sometimes guests, and in the case of nonprofit podcasts, timely and helpful information about issues of interest to nonprofits and philanthropic organizations.

Most well-produced and popular podcasts are under 30 minutes in length although some are longer and still others are under 10 minutes. You can listen to podcasts on the Web, however, the ideal way is to download the MP3 files onto your computer and load into your MP3 listening device like an iPod. A great source of weekly free podcasts is iTunes.

Here are some podcasts that might be of interest to anyone working at or with nonprofit organizations:

Philanthropy This Week - A new audio offering by The Chronicle of Philanthropy covering nonprofit news with expert guest views.

Social Good - Allison Fine offers her nonprofit consulting expertise and interviews guests (also offered by The Chronicle of Philanthropy).

Social Media Goodness - The Foraker Group communications consultant Aliza Sherman (your humble blogger), talks about the basics of social media geared toward nonprofits.

Craigslist Foundation Nonprofit Boot Camp - Based on workshops given by the Craigslist Foundation to discuss nonprofit issues with a lot of expert advice.

Conquering Podcast Chaos - Author Bradley Burck breaks down concepts from his book of the same name.

What are your favorite podcasts that can be helpful to nonprofit organizations and their staff, volunteers and board?

The Foraker Group recommends caution and prudence in your decision-making during this challenging financial downturn. This is not the time to panic or make rash decisions. The community you serve is depending on you to fulfill your mission promise. Your leadership and strategic decisions should guide your way as you navigate uncharted territory.

To keep you abreast of the resources and news related to the state of the economy and its impact on nonprofit organizations, we continuously post news, commentaries and perspectives from a variety of sources on the Foraker site under Economic Response.

We urge you to check this section of our site often for new information, and feel free to send us relevant links or post them to comments here.

What resources are you using right now to weather these tougher economic times?

The next Foraker Certificate in Nonprofit Management begins in September 2009.

All classes will be held in Anchorage, Alaska. Applications are NOW available. Applications are due June 30, 2009

Classes begin in September and end in December 2009.

The Foraker Certificate in Nonprofit Management is a statewide program offered in partnership with the University of Alaska. This is a non-degree program offering 10.4 Continuing Education Units (CEU's).

The program is designed for Alaska nonprofit professionals in leadership positions who want to enhance their management skills and explore a full range of issues and best practices to use in their organizations.

Tuition for the certificate program is $2000 for Foraker Partners. Tuition for all other students is $2500 . All students will also be charged a $300 books and materials fee. Payment is due on the first day of class unless other arrangements are made. Please do not send payment with your application. Limited travel scholarships are available for those living beyond driving distance.

The application process is competitive. Applicants will be evaluated based on their current position in the organization, their career intentions, impact on the agency, and geographic distribution. Every effort is made to create a cohort of students that will both teach and learn from each other.

Read more about the Program.

Download the Application. (Word Doc)

Access the Fall 2009 Schedule. (Word Doc)

Have you gone through the program already? If so, we'd love to hear some of your feedback here.

Did you know the Obama Administration has launched a new online portal, www.serve.gov, where organizations can list service opportunities and individuals can find openings of interest or develop their own projects?

From the site:

"This website is a new portal for you and all Americans to find your own ways to serve in your own communities. Just choose your keyword - "education," "environment," or whatever interests you - and type in your zip code to see what opportunities our partner organizations have in your area. Americans are putting their own country back on the right track, be a part of it."

The service effort will focus on:

1) promoting clean energy, energy efficiency, and public land restoration;

2) supporting education and literacy for all Americans;

3) increasing health care access, public health awareness, and prevention; and

4) providing community renewal to areas hardest hit by the economic crisis.

Federal agencies are also working on developing tools to assist service activities and to help to track the community impact of these efforts.

First Lady Michelle Obama and the Corporation for National and Community Service announced this initiative to help put volunteers "on a path to sustained service." The initiative launches officiallyon June 22 at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service and culminate in a National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11.

Additional reading:

Press Release: First Lady Thanks Corporation for National and Community Service Employees

Remarks by the First Lady at a Corporation for National and Community Service Event

Time is running out for all qualifying Alaska nonprofits to apply for the 2010 PFD Contributions Program.

Here are some things to note:

1. Apply now. If you are working with an Alaska nonprofit interested in being considered for the 2010 PFD Contributions Program, you must apply. You can get to the application information via Pick. Click. Give.'s site.

2. Re-Apply. If you are an organization that qualified in 2009 for the program, you still must apply again in order to be considered for 2010. It is not a given that you will get into the program again, plus there are new questions to answer as well as modified guidelines.

3. Do You Qualify? Only qualifying organizations should apply. Guidelines for qualification are in the program's FAQ.

4. Apply Early. Think about submitting your application by May 31, 2009 to receive feedback on your application.

5. The Deadline Is...The final deadline to have your application postmarked is June 15, 2009.

For more information, you can call 1-888-785-GIFT (4438) or email pfdinfo@forakergroup.org.

Customer Satisfaction

Our success at The Foraker Group is measured, in part, by the satisfaction of our customers. Only by meeting your expectations will we be able to fulfill our core purpose of strengthening Alaska nonprofits. Recently you should have received an email about our 2009 Customer Satisfaction Survey if you have worked with us in the last year.

Please take a few moments to complete this survey. It will be open for your participation until May 29. We ask that you select one person from your organization to take the survey -- preferably a senior member of your board or staff. Individual responses will be kept confidential. However, we will share a summary of them with Partners after the survey closes.

As an added incentive this year -- after you have taken the survey we will include your organization in a drawing for one free hour of consulting time. At the end of the survey you will be sent to a separate web page to enter your name, organization, phone and email. This extra step assures the anonymity of your responses.

Please email info@forakergroup.org for a link to the survey if you haven't received our notice.

A recent article on The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that women are taking a more prominent role in charitable giving for their household.

The study, sponsored by Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, found that 80 percent of the respondents to their survey were married and the majority of the men who responsed said that their spouse was the primary influencer in charitable-giving decisions for their household. Women who participated in the study tended to name a wider range of influencers in their giving decisions including family members, friends, and co-workers. Almost half the women surveyed felt strongly about involving their children in philanthropy compared to 39% of the men.

High Income Women's Giving Habits

The survey also focused in on higher-income women and found that this particular group were more likely (than other survey respondents) to make public gifts to charity, to use more complicated financial structures to make gifts, and to turn to financial advisors when making charitable contributions.

Also according to the report, high-income women were more likely than other survey participants to donate to health and science-related causes and to make additional gifts to charity in response to increasing needs and difficult economic times.

The study found that the average charitable giver (male and female) surveyed donated 6 percent of gross household income in 2008 with a vast majority giving up to 10 percent. They also consider charitable giving as a part of their overall financial plan.

But Who Is a Philanthropist, Really?

An interesting finding in the study is that the respondents defined a philanthropist as someone who donates at least $100,000 a year or more. At a time when we're working to educate and create more awareness of the power of individual giving, this perception is a telling factor in why many people don't realize their personal power to give at any amount. Philanthropy doesn't require a minimum dollar amount. A philanthropist can be anyone giving any amount of money, time or attention to an important issue, cause or organization.

NOTE: The survey was conducted online by Chrysalis Research of Kirkland, Wash., and Research Data Technology of Woburn, Mass., from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, 2009. It included 1,003 respondents who donated at least $1,000 in 2007.

You can read the entire article here and view the press release here.

Dennis McMillian's opinion piece appeared in the Daily News-Miner on May 3rd. He discusses the risks of taking--and relying on--stimulus funds for any Alaska nonprofit. Below is an excerpt of when not to take funding when funding:

 • Requires the organization to start a new program that has not been planned.

• Overextends the capacity of the organization.

• Causes the organization to stray from its mission.

• Provides a short-term band-aid for an organization with systemic funding problems.

McMillian goes on to say that if an organization does not have systems in place to transparently manage and report on the use of stimulus funds — ensuring that taxpayer money is wisely invested — it also should not apply.

Read the entire opinion piece.

The Foraker Group has announced the addition of a third option to its innovative health benefit plan. Foraker, along with the Rasmuson Foundation, unveiled the program in October 2008, which is designed to create a healthier nonprofit sector in Alaska.

Originally the program offered two options to help expand coverage to underinsured individuals and families, or those who currently have no insurance – a high deductible plan ($1,500 deductible) with a Health Savings Account (HSA), or a catastrophic standard plan ($2,500 deductible). Both plans offer options for preventive care.

The new option, a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA), allows for greater cost savings in the monthly premiums. The new $3,000 deductible HDHP with HSA will become effective July 1, 2009. It also offers options for preventive care. All three options are available through Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska.

Enrollment in The Foraker Group Benefit Plan has steadily increased since it began six months ago. According to Barbara Dubovich, executive director of Camp Fire USA Alaska Council, the program "is a proactive health management plan that provides more control to each employee and will, we believe, result in lowered premium costs in the future."

Over the next two months, Foraker in conjunction with Wallace Group Services will hold meetings around the state to provide further details about the third plan option, discuss updates in participation requirements, and review the status of becoming an association plan. Names of preferred brokers who are familiar with the benefit plan will be announced as well. Nonprofit leaders and brokers are encouraged to attend.

A meeting schedule and registration is available at www.forakergroup.org, click on calendar, then special briefings. For more information, call Rebecca Savidis at The Foraker Group, 907-743-1200.

The Rasmuson Foundation is supporting the Foraker initiative through Health Savings Account incentives and an enhanced comprehensive Health Risk Management (HRM) program. The HSA incentive consists of a $250 contribution per enrolled employee for the first two years ($500 total) and is available to the first 2,000 employees enrolled in a Health Savings Account. The HRM assists employees in evaluating their own health risks and helps employers manage the effectiveness of the insurance plan.

For more information, contact Rebecca Savidis, 907-743-1200.

The Foraker Group, along with the Rasmuson Foundation, unveiled a new health insurance program in October of 2008 that is designed to create a healthier nonprofit sector in Alaska. The program offers two options that will help expand coverage to underinsured individuals and families or those who currently have no insurance.

We are making great progress with the plan. Partners are signing up to take advantage of this new program which puts employees in charge of their health care, helps increase productivity, and will reduce the rise in future health care costs.

Already 24 nonprofits are part of the plan. The leaders of these organizations recognize the value of this approach to health care and have taken action to bring it to their staff. We thank them for their long-term commitment to the well being of their employees and their willingness to step forward, especially during challenging economic times. Right now it can be easier to look inward, stick with the familiar and be unwilling to try something new. Congratulations to those of you who have maintained focus and understand that we’re all in this for the future – of our mission and our organizations.

Since December, the plan has more than doubled the number of enrollees. The growing participation is due, in part, to the incentives for those who enroll early. Just to recap, the Rasmuson Foundation will cover contributions into employee’s Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for two years along with funding the Health Risk Management (HRM) program for three years for enrolled employees. We thank Rasmuson for that generous support which demonstrates the foundation’s steadfast vision of a thriving nonprofit sector in Alaska.

We also recognize and appreciate the hard work of Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, the Wallace Group and the insurance brokers who have embraced this innovative benefit plan. Without their guidance and support, we wouldn’t be as far along as we are today. They have been diligent in their work, which allows us to offer this competitive, long-term benefit package to our Partners.

As we know, during difficult economic times the health of our staff can suffer. Employees work longer and harder, under more stress, to serve the community. The emphasis the Foraker plan places on health and wellness has never been more needed. For enrolled groups to learn more about this part of the plan, we have partnered with Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska to offer training sessions on proven workplace wellness strategies. We encourage you to take advantage of these sessions.

For more information on the benefit plan, or a list of preferred brokers, please call Rebecca Savidis at The Foraker Group, 907-743-1210.

What our Partners say about The Foraker Group Benefit Plan

From Barbara Dubovich, Executive Director, Campfire USA Alaska Council

Camp Fire is in the process of moving to Foraker’s HSA plan this year. After enduring radical increases in health insurance premiums for several years with the latest at 50%, we look forward to the potential of having more predictability in increases.

The Foraker HSA Plan through Premera Blue Cross is a proactive health management plan that provides more control to each employee and will, we believe, result in lowered premium costs in the future.

The added incentive offered from the Rasmuson Foundation really helps our employees to build their HSA Accounts.

More than 5,100 Alaskans give $545,000 through their Permanent Fund Dividend

The Alaska Giving Coalition has announced preliminary results from the first Pick. Click. Give. campaign.  The new program allowed Alaskans filing on-line for their 2009 Permanent Fund Dividend to give all or part of it to qualifying nonprofit organizations, community foundations or campuses of the University of Alaska.

According to preliminary figures from the Alaska Department of Revenue, 5,163 Alaskans filing on-line selected the option to give to a nonprofit.  Those Alaskans made a total of 7,572 donations – some choosing to give to more than one organization.  The approximate total for the amount donated is $545,000.  Specific organization contribution totals and the final figure will be available in October when dividend checks are determined and disbursed.

“We were optimistic that Alaskans would respond to this new way of giving to their favorite nonprofits,” Alaska Giving Coalition Chair Jim Caldarola said.  “We are thankful to each and every individual donor who chose to make a charitable contribution with part of their dividend check.  It shows a wonderful commitment by Alaskans for Alaska nonprofits.”

More than 330 organizations qualified for the 2009 program and represented the diversity of nonprofits around the state.  Each met a series of criteria laid out in the law establishing the program, which was passed by the Alaska State Legislature in May 2008.  The program is authorized for three years, at which time it will be evaluated and the legislature will decide whether to continue it. 

Caldarola credits the participating nonprofits for helping the program succeed. 

“They reached out to their existing stakeholders through newsletters, websites and emails to spread the word about Pick. Click. Give.  They recognized that their ability to communicate about the impact of their mission to their constituents makes a powerful difference in their ability to raise resources. 
 
A new application process is currently taking place to qualify organizations for the 2010 program. Nonprofits must apply again this year, even if they were part of the 2009 program.  Information and application forms are available at www.PickClickGive.org, by calling 1-888-785-GIFT (4438) or by emailing pfdinfo@forakergroup.org.
 
The 2009 Pick. Click. Give. public awareness campaign was made possible through financial support from  the Rasmuson Foundation, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, ConocoPhillips and BP.  The Alaska Giving Coalition, The Foraker Group and the United Way of Anchorage are working with the Rasmuson Foundation and the Department of Revenue to implement the program.