In the customer satisfaction survey we ran last spring, 84% of the respondents said their work with Foraker has raised their awareness of the conditions that help a nonprofit along the path to sustainability. Those conditions are:

• Unrestricted dollars
• Organizational focus
• Board-staff balance
• Complementary collaborations

The more we work with Alaska nonprofits on sustainability, the more we learn about the innovative ways you are using the model. We will highlight some of those strategies in future Foraker newsletters. 

A sustainable sector in Alaska – with healthy organizations that are able to work toward their mission – is a journey we’re on together, and we can learn much from each other along the way.  Foraker president Dennis McMillian is being asked to present about this model Outside so it is now getting national exposure. 

To learn more about the modle, you can download the Foraker model here (PDF file).

How is this model working in your organization?

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.