Any American can give cash, write a check or use a credit card to support their favorite charity. Others can give through an employer who offers payroll deduction. More and more people around the world are giving to charity using a website or cell phone. Only Alaskans can give to charity through their Permanent Fund Dividend -- thanks to the vision and tenacity of the Rasmuson Foundation, especially President Diane Kaplan.

Ever since I met Diane, she has worked to find ways to grow philanthropy in Alaska. While we have the ability to increase giving through all the traditional methods, she has been intrigued by the way the Alaska Permanent Fund could provide a uniquely Alaskan approach to increase giving.

One strategy she has advanced was that corporations benefitting from investment from the Permanent Fund have an obligation to support the state through making charitable gifts here. During her time as a consultant, she was able to contact some of those firms and secure gifts. However, my hunch is that she would still like to see more investment in our state from the large corporations that we invest in through the Permanent Fund.   [Read More... ]

• More than 9,500 Alaskans participate in 2010 Pick. Click. Give. – nearly double 2009 figures
• Pick. Click. Give. now a permanent option for Alaska donors
• Meg Wheatley to open 2010 Leadership Summit
• Learn More About Foraker: This month – The Foraker Certificate in Nonprofit Management
• Nonprofits still urged to file 990s – even though deadline is past
• Visit the Foraker blog and give us your thoughts
• June class schedule available

When the extended filing period for this year’s Pick. Click. Give. closed on May 31, more than 9,500 Alaskans promised $927,075 in donations to state nonprofits. In 2009, the first year of the program, approximately 5,100 Alaskans participated, donating a total of $550,000. Program supporters point out that these figures are subject to change. Actual donations to individual organizations do not become final until PFD checks are distributed in October.

Gov. Parnell has signed a bill making Pick. Click. Give. a permanent option for Alaskans who want to support nonprofit organizations through their PFD. We thank the Governor, the Alaska Legislature and bill sponsors, Senator Kevin Meyer and Representative Bill Thomas. This is an important step toward our goal of increasing personal giving in Alaska. Pick. Click. Give. is a success thanks to the participation of Alaskans who have used the program. Thanks, too, go to the Rasmuson Foundation, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, BP Alaska, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Providence Hospital, Mat-Su Health Foundation, and Northrim Bank for their support.

One of the best-known writers and researchers on organizational development, Dr. Meg Wheatley, will kick off the 2010 Foraker Leadership Summit. Wheatley has been studying organizational behavior, with a strong emphasis on nonprofits, since 1973. She writes about her work: “For many years, I've been interested in seeing the world differently. I've wanted to see beyond the Western, mechanical view of the world and see what else might appear when the lens was changed.” Learn more about her work.

The 2010 Leadership Summit will be held September 20-21, 2010, at the Egan Center in Anchorage. This year’s event will focus on the steps we can take to enhance the wellness of our community, our organization and ourselves. We all have heard about “best practices.” At this summit we will discover ways we each can make those practices a reality. Join us as we network with our peers, rejuvenate and take the next step. Registration is now open. Watch for more information at www.forakergroup.org.

More than 200 nonprofit staff and board members have graduated from the certificate program – one of the first and most popular educational opportunities offered by Foraker. This non-degree program, which is a partnership between Foraker and the University of Alaska, offers 10.4 continuing education units (CEUs) and is designed for nonprofit professionals in leadership positions who want to enhance their management skills. The program explores a full range of issues and best practices that participants are able to take back to the workplace and implement. It also offers the opportunity to learn from colleagues and become part of the cohort network.

The next cohort begins in October 2010 and applications will be taken until June 30. Access more information and get an application.

Last month the Internal Revenue Service issued an advisory reminding tax-exempt organizations to make sure they file their annual 990 information form by the May 17 deadline. Even with a significant promotional effort, the IRS reported on May 18 that many smaller organizations did not file in time. However, the agency says it will work with those organizations to help them avoid losing their tax-exempt status. Read the latest IRS notice.

If you were part of Pick. Click. Give. this year, let us know your experience – and send a quick thanks to the people who made the program possible. It’s the subject of Dennis’s column this month. You may have noticed that we’ve rejuvenated the blog – and we’re giving special attention to news and information from around that country that can provide insight and tips on leading your organization. Right now, we’re looking closely for stories with an economic focus. Check out the blog and sign-up to receive it in your email.

Are you looking for better ways to serve your organization? Whether you're staff, a board member or a volunteer, The Foraker Group has a class for you. Visit our class calendar to see what's available and then register for one that will help you enhance your skills.

We have just a few policies on registration. GoToMeeting teleconferences and video conference classes must be paid in advance of the class. You may pay for on-site classes in advance, or when you arrive. If we don't have at least seven people registered for a class three working days before it's to be held, we have to cancel it. To see a full list of our courses, please visit www.forakergroup.org. If you have questions, you may contact us by email, info@forakergroup.org, or by phone at 907-743-1200.