It is with great sadness that we offer our deepest condolences to Congresswoman Peltola and her family. We mourn the loss of Gene Peltola — an esteemed Alaska leader — and recognize his important contributions to his family, our state, and the nation. Both Mary and Buzzy served on the Foraker board and are part of the Foraker family. Our hearts go out to Mary, and we stand with her and support her through this tragic time…. Read more »

Alaska’s nonprofits stepped up during the pandemic and the nonprofit sector remains one of the state’s largest employers and revenue generators. In our latest report, we detail how nonprofits are part of everyday life in Alaska and illustrate the ways in which we are a major economic driver, leverage public funds for maximum return, partner with government in delivering essential services, provide community investment and civic engagement, and help stabilize the economy during the pandemic. You can find the report here…. Read more »

Are you eager to better establish your digital footprint and connect with your online audience, but not sure where to start? Our new course – Digital DIY – offers the boost you need to help drive your mission forward and increase your bottom line with online communication and marketing tactics. Join us on January 11 & 18 from 1:00 – 3:00pm for an opportunity to get a grasp on the ins and outs of digital marketing, branding, social media and more. With an investment of time, and through trial and error, there’s no need to spend big dollars with a PR company or marketing firm. You can do it yourself! What we cover: Your mission statement – an outline Logo (conceptual) Digital advertising / flyers Social media – which platforms best serve your mission Website… Read more »

We are excited to announce that Tyonek Tribal Conservation District (TTCD) has selected its next Executive Director. Welcome to Dr. Laurie Stuart.  Dr. Stuart is an experienced nonprofit executive with more than 10 years of leadership roles in science education, conservation, and nonprofit management. She comes to TTCD after serving as a Director at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, and has previously held leadership positions at the Pratt Museum in Homer and at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. A life-long Alaskan, Dr. Stuart earned her Doctorate of Education from the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on sustainability, social justice, and participatory methods in natural resource management. “My work has focused on fostering pro-conservation identity and behavior, with an understanding that effective conservation policies must be community based”, says… Read more »

Tuesday’s hate crime against Asian Americans in Atlanta was not an isolated event (NPR reports that hate crimes against Asian Americans have surged since the start of the pandemic). We stand with the Asian and Pacific Islander community and condemn these hate crimes and all acts of hatred and violence.  It is up to all of us to stop hate in its tracks.  We and encourage you to not miss this moment, to ask what you need to take with you and what can you leave behind that perpetuates inequity in our communities. Foraker has and will continue to ask these questions and to stand beside Alaska’s nonprofits and community leaders to move forward. If you are looking for resources on how to intervene when you see hate in action… Read more »

We congratulate President Biden and Vice President Harris on their inauguration today. They and our own Alaska federal delegation deserve our heartfelt thanks for their commitment to public service, especially during these difficult times. The nation’s agenda is challenging as we address the COVID crisis, the political division, and an economy that is increasingly leaving people and families behind. This is a day to honor the strength of our democracy and a day to look ahead and to look inward at what we as individuals and as a sector must do to advance equity and justice in our organizations, our communities, and our state. As members of Alaska’s nonprofit sector, we are committed to public service.  We welcome all Alaskans to join us. Look for places where you can serve…. Read more »

We send our congratulations to the Rasmuson family and to the board and staff of Rasmuson Foundation who are celebrating 65 years of service to Alaska. In their annual Letter to Alaskans, Foundation Chairman Ed Rasmuson and President/CEO Diane Kaplan look back at the family’s rich history of “giving back” to Alaska communities. We encourage you to read the letter and learn more about the amazing work the foundation has accomplished over the years. We especially appreciate Rasmuson’s partnership in starting The Foraker Group and for their continued support of our work. Thank you for everything you do to make Alaska better for all of us…. Read more »

A Note from Laurie Wolf, President and CEO, The Foraker Group The weight of this time in history is beyond measure. And this past week it got impossibly heavier. The murder of George Floyd, piled on other visible racist action against Christian Cooper in Central Park, reminds all of us that injustice is a daily, if not hourly experience for too many people of color. Living through this pandemic, while also a shared experience, is not the same experience. Someone thoughtfully noted, “we are in the same ocean but not the same boat.” If you entered this phase in our lives and you are elderly and live communally, or you are in an abusive relationship, or you are hungry, or you feared for your child’s safety, or you lost your… Read more »

To date, there have been no reports of coronavirus in Alaska. However, we are aware of the growing number of incidents in other parts of the country, including deaths in California and Washington state. So this is a good time for nonprofit leaders to learn what they can do to protect the people they serve, their staff, and the community at large. It’s time to move into action now and plan ahead. Fortunately, disease control experts have been busy posting information to help us with planning and prevention. No doubt you have looked at a number of websites that offer excellent guidance. We’ve gathered some we believe are especially helpful and list them below. From the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, a webpage with general and Alaska specific… Read more »

Are you ready to take what you learned this summer about advocating for your mission and make it part of your organization’s DNA? Join us for Creating Your Successful Advocacy Program: A Step-by-Step Approach on October 29.  Looking for support outside of Anchorage? We are ready to help you build a plan that can guide your work. Give us a call to find out how to schedule an advocacy training in your community. Register today…. Read more »