Latest news, alerts, and events.
Latest news, alerts, and events.
The Johnson Amendment – Facing a New Threat to Charitable Nonprofit Nonpartisanship July 10, 2025 This week, the nation’s nonprofit sector has witnessed an overtly misguided effort by the Internal Revenue Service which places the long-held principle of nonprofit nonpartisanship in real jeopardy. Background A long-held core value of the charitable nonprofit sector – nonprofit nonpartisanship – is again being threatened by the federal government. In 1954, Lyndon B. Johnson, who was then a senator from Texas, introduced an amendment providing that in exchange for federal tax-exempt status, a charitable nonprofit, foundation, or religious organization may “not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.” What is sometimes referred to as… Read more »
Typhoon Halong has devastated Alaska’s western coast. We remain deeply concerned about every person and whole communities tragically impacted by this disaster. In response, a growing list of local, regional, and statewide partners have come together to establish the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund, housed at the Alaska Community Foundation. In Alaska we help each other and stand with each other. Please consider a gift today to help your fellow Alaskans…. Read more »
October has brought us snowy mountains, golden leaves, and a government shutdown. Many may remember the federal government shutdown of 2018 – it lasted 35 days, with far-reaching negative impacts for people, businesses, nonprofits, and the government itself. Now, another shutdown is underway. A federal government shutdown translates to real, potentially devastating impacts on people, communities, and the nonprofits that Alaskans rely on every day. Simply stated, during a shutdown, federal agencies cannot spend or obligate congressionally approved funds, including funds for paying employees, meeting grant obligations, and operating federal programs. Based on previous shutdowns, this one will have immediate and longer-term impacts on Alaska nonprofits and the people we serve. That’s because many of our nonprofits will see an increased demand for services while experiencing decreased funding. Previous shutdowns proved in… Read more »
Help us create a tool for Alaska nonprofits to make critical personnel decisions. By taking part in our Salary and Benefits Survey, you’ll help us create a report that will: Guide salary decisions for new and existing roles Show how your organization’s compensation compares to others in the sector Assess how your benefits stack up against sector standards Why should I participate? The report is only as good as the level of participation—the more participation, the more reliable the data will be to help guide compensation practices. And, if your organization participates, you’ll receive $150 off the price of the full report (The regular price for organizations that do not participate in the survey is $325 or $275 for Foraker Partners). The survey is open for participation through November 14, 2025. What do I need to complete… Read more »
Many may remember the federal government shutdown of 2018 – it lasted 35 days, with far-reaching negative impacts for people, businesses, nonprofits, and the government itself. Now, another shutdown is underway. A federal government shutdown translates to real, potentially devastating impacts on people, communities, and nonprofits that Alaskans rely on every day. Simply stated, during a shutdown, federal agencies cannot spend or obligate congressionally approved funds, including funds for paying employees, meeting grant obligations, and operating federal programs. Based on previous shutdowns, this one will have immediate and longer-term impacts on Alaska nonprofits and the people we serve. That’s because many of our nonprofits will see an increased demand for services while experiencing decreased funding. Previous shutdowns proved in too many ways that nonprofits will once again be called upon… Read more »
The early imagining of Foraker took shape within a strategic plan at United Way of Anchorage, envisioning a suite of shared services for nonprofits and tribes. That vision grew into a deeply collaborative relationship with Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC)—and together, we have been innovating our way forward ever since. CITC created the original startup version of the IT and financial shared services that laid the foundation for Foraker. In 2009, several CITC staff formally became Foraker staff, launching a new chapter in our financial shared services program. As Foraker expanded, our growth was made possible by the consistent and expert support of CITC’s IT team and systems. Together, we have each grown and deepened our work, grounded in our organizational strengths. As technology evolved and our needs shifted, we… Read more »
Have you checked out the Alaska Funders Directory lately? The Alaska Funders Directory is a curated list of over 200 foundations, corporations, and other entities that have an interest in supporting Alaska nonprofits and projects. We’ve added nearly 30 funders to the site in the last three months. Check it out and contact us if you need support…. Read more »
On July 1, 2025, the minimum wage increased to $13 per hour, following the approval of Ballot Measure 1. Under this same measure, the minimum wage will continue to rise, reaching $14 per hour in 2026 and $15 per hour in 2027. Additionally, beginning July 1, 2025, employers who do not already have a paid time off policy that meets the elements of the ballot measure are required to provide paid sick leave. If an employer has 15 or more employees, each employee can accrue up to 56 hours of paid sick leave per year. If the employer has fewer than 15 employees, each employee can accrue up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year. Ballot Measure 1 Regulations have been published along with an updated FAQ from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Do you… Read more »
Many organizations are facing increased uncertainty due to recent federal government changes. Our Rapid Response Convenings are designed to help you navigate this evolving landscape by creating a network of support. These one-hour virtual sessions provide a safe and collaborative space to share current challenges, exchange ideas and solutions, and learn from the collective wisdom of your peers. Thanks to the generous support of the Rasmuson Foundation and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, we’re offering these free convenings specifically for: Fundraisers (This session is for Executive Directors, Development Staff, Board Members, or anyone who is involved in fundraising at your organization) October 13, November 3, December 1 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Nonprofit HR professionals October 14, November 13, December 11 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm Nonprofit Finance professionals… Read more »
Right now, as the nonprofit sector, and as individual leaders, we are doing our best to navigate the twisting turns that lay in front of us. There are lions, and tigers, and bears, and a lot of “oh my” every day. That is, if lions are impoundment, tigers are rescission, and bears are the threat to nonprofit nonpartisanship, and the are all sitting against the backdrop of executive orders, that makes us exclaim another “oh my!” This journey is sometimes loud, often confusing and even dizzying, and a lot to take in on any given day regardless of whether you agree with the actions or not. Honestly, it is so much all at once, one could just get overwhelmed without a full understanding of the whole story. Let’s take impoundment,… Read more »
Since our founding, we’ve had the honor of partnering with tribes and tribal organizations across a wide range of activities—from strategic planning and organizational development to finance and governance support. As part of deepening that work, we’re launching a new page on our website to highlight just a few examples of how we collaborate with tribal leaders in ways that reflect their values, priorities, and visions for the future. How might we work with your tribe? Here are just a few of the ways that partnership has taken shape: — A regional Alaska Native education foundation invited us to help bring their board and team into deeper alignment with their mission—asking what it truly means to steward resources for future generations. How might their existing structure support more meaningful opportunities… Read more »