The Foraker Group

We’re excited to share a new resource for nonprofits across the Northwest: nwnonprofitcapacity.org. Together with our nonprofit association partners in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, we’ve created a shared home for research on nonprofit capacity across our five states. The site brings together two important studies: the 2026 Evaluation Capacity Study, based on conversations with more than 110 nonprofit leaders about how they evaluate their impact, and the 2024 Nonprofit Capacity Survey, which asked 967 nonprofits to identify their strengths and areas where they need more support. Why evaluation? Because nonprofits are increasingly being asked to show the difference their work makes — and most nonprofit leaders want to know that, too. But evaluation is also an area where many organizations feel the least equipped. In the 2024 survey, evaluation… Read more »

Today we are giving a big shout-out to Juneau nonprofits for their strong voices as they stood together to protect the essential work all nonprofits offer in communities across Alaska. We are proud to stand beside them and lend our voice to their effort. After many hours, over many meetings, the Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau tabled an ordinance that would have placed a sales tax on items sold by nonprofits, both those that were mission-related and those that are considered by the IRS to be unrelated business income. Foraker’s position is clear and aligns with the IRS that unrelated business income is subject to tax, and any sales tax effort should use that same system. Strong yearly mechanisms are in place to determine unrelated business income… Read more »

Serving on a board can come with big questions: How do we get our board more engaged? What should the board be doing—and what should staff be doing? How do we handle a difficult board member? Are our meetings working? How do we strengthen our board for the future? Our Board Governance Office Hours are free, 45-minute conversations with one of our board governance facilitators. Bring a specific board dilemma, a question about governance, or simply an idea for making your board stronger. We’ll listen, ask questions, and help you think through possible approaches. These are not formal trainings or one-size-fits-all answers. They are a chance for 1-2 board members (ideally the board chair) and/or the Executive leader  to talk through what’s happening in your organization and leave with a… Read more »

It is back-to-school time – that ritual of getting ready and gathering the things kids need for success. But what about you? What do you need in your backpack to succeed right now as a leader in your work? Unfortunately, a well-organized teacher is likely not handing you a list of those things, nor are all the items that we need available at the store. Still, let’s look at seven essential items that may help you be ready for what comes next in your role. First, let’s just consider your backpack. In this case, it is a state of mind, but it could also be literally the bag you take with you to work. For those in the state-of-mind category, I think of a backpack as the things I carry… Read more »

In recognition of the Labor Day weekend, the Foraker office will close at 3:00 this afternoon. We take this time to honor the work of Alaska’s nonprofits and celebrate their dedication to communities and missions around the state every day of the year. We will open again on Tuesday, September 8. You can leave us a message over the weekend at info@forakergroup.org…. Read more »

If you are thinking about joining our Year-End Giving Game Plan, now is the time to act. Fill out our interest form by September 4 to take the first step toward a more organized, strategic, and successful year-end giving season. Your future self will thank you! Our virtual intensive, The Year-End Giving Game Plan, will not just guide you through a year-end giving campaign, it will set you up on a successful path to better engage with your donors in the long-term.     You will leave this three-part intensive course with the following:   More organized donor data that segments certain donor groups  A custom donor impact report (relationship-building tool), drafted for your audience  A campaign calendar to map out your request timeline  Custom ask language to be used in all request communications (i.e. a request letter + request emails) Post-campaign thank-you… Read more »

In a world where we are often rewarded for doing more, going deeper, or moving faster, there is real value in slowing down. In fact, it is the very gift of a pause that allows us to be most effective at more – deeper, wider, and faster. Going slow to go fast has been a truism in the Foraker lexicon for a very long time, but its application only seems to deepen across organizations both in the way we approach the work and in the way we deliver a service. For most nonprofits right now, the needs are only increasing, and the weight of that demand can feel heavy. Doing more with fewer people and less money or energy is not the answer, but often the unspoken expectation. We often… Read more »

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit issued its opinion affirming a preliminary injunction issued by a federal district court in spring 2025 that blocks the administration’s attempts to freeze funding enacted by Congress under the bipartisan Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The court’s decision means that the preliminary injunction’s protections will remain in effect for at least as long as the case continues.  This is an important development for nonprofits, tribes, and local governments, including those in Alaska, seeking to use these funds for overdue investments in public health, climate resilience, critical infrastructure, and many other community-led infrastructure projects. Foraker’s 2024 economic impact report found that Alaska nonprofits received congressionally approved funding for $7.6 billion from the Infrastructure Act and $2.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act. While this is a major… Read more »

Update: We’ve had an unexpectedly high level of interest in our Finance Systems Intensive, and the first cohort is now full! We had planned to accept inquiries through September 11, but we’re moving to a waitlist instead. If you’re interested in joining the waitlist or a future cohort, please fill out the inquiry form and we’ll be in touch.   Strong financial systems give leaders the confidence to make informed decisions. That’s why we’re excited to launch our first-ever Finance Systems Intensive. Our intensives are designed to help nonprofits and tribes get real work done — not just learn concepts and walk away with more notes. Whether you’re an accidental finance professional looking to strengthen your financial systems and processes, a finance leader seeking a tune-up, or a team wanting… Read more »

Are you preparing to hire for a key position? Hiring new leaders can be both exciting and overwhelming. We have some tips to help set you up for success!  Your team (up to two people) can schedule a free 45-minute consultation with Foraker’s Leadership Transition team. Whether you’re just beginning to think about a search or looking for a sounding board to strengthen your strategy, we’re here to help you navigate the process. Space is limited, so reserve your consultation time today. Appointments are available August 10–13. Contact us if you have any questions…. Read more »