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 »

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 »

We thank all the organizations that have come to Foraker for our assistance in meeting your missions. We endeavor every day to help you move in the direction you want to go. And while we have tried to never let money be a barrier to our services, the reality is that mission related earned income is what allows us to help everyone who needs our support. As we strike that balance, our Governance Board recently passed a late payment policy that includes a penalty on outstanding balances. Our purpose is to ensure we have the resources available to serve all Alaska’s nonprofits and tribal organizations that need support. We will do everything we can to communicate with you about outstanding invoices, and we ask you to do the same. We… Read more »

We are sad to hear the news of Clark Gruening’s passing. Clark was a founding Foraker board member and one of our first board chairs. We are grateful for his visionary leadership, thoughtfulness, and kind heart as he helped us navigate the early years. Clark was also an inspirational leader for many other Alaska nonprofits and philanthropic organizations. We send his family and all Alaskans who experienced his generosity our deepest condolences. … Read more »

Our latest report details pay inequity in the state’s nonprofit sector, and guess what? We have work to do, and together we can lead the way. Join us on July 1 at 1:00 pm to learn what the data says about the nonprofit workforce and hear about steps your organization can take to promote gender pay equity. Through a partnership with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Economic Development, Alaska data on the pay gap is easier to ascertain than in other states. Here is how it works: through careful and confidential efforts, the Department of Labor compiles data on pay rates for various job classifications. Researchers then used employer identification numbers (EINs) to identify nonprofit employees. Finally, they applied gender information from permanent fund dividend data. As… Read more »

We’re searching for a Bookkeeper/Staff Accountant! The ideal candidate will be collaborative and flexible, have excellent organizational skills and follow-through, and enjoy a fast-paced, highly varied suite of accounting duties. This position is responsible for processing payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable for nonprofits and tribal organizations across Alaska. Learn more at forakergroup.org/jobs… Read more »

Today, we celebrate Elizabeth Peratrovich, a Tlingit woman who played a pivotal role in the fight for Alaska Native civil rights. Her advocacy helped pass Alaska’s first anti-discrimination law, which became the first of its kind in the United States. In honor of Elizabeth Peratrovich and President’s Day, Foraker will be closed on Monday, February 17. Artwork by Crystal Worl… Read more »

During our recent annual meeting, the Governance Board elected several new board members. Welcome to our new Governance Board Members: Bryan Butcher – CEO/Executive Director, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (Bryan is a returning board member!) Grier Hopkins – Mayor of Fairbanks North Star Borough Curtis McQueen – Executive Director, Alaska Native Village Corporation Association Pearl Brower will remain our Governance Board Chair and Pat Branson will remain our Secretary/Treasurer. Welcome to our new Statewide Advisory Council Members (formerly known as the Operations Board): Roy Agloinga, President & CEO, First Alaskans Institute Eric Utraq Billingsley, President & CEO, United Way of Anchorage Mark Lackey, Executive Director, CCS Early Learning Marie-Sylvestre Olesen, Executive Director, Fairbanks Concert Association Mindy O’Neall, Executive Director, Cold Climate Housing Research Center Ivy Spohnholz, Alaska State Director, The Nature Conservancy… Read more »

What’s Next? If you are a West Wing fan, you hear that question when the voice of Martin Sheen as President of the United States takes on one big thing after another. And so, that is what we will also do as this election season draws to a conclusion. For some of you, this election was a high point, and for others, a low point — certainly, it brought a response that resonated deeper than a person or a political party. Regardless, I feel certain that not everyone experienced the election the same, nor will we experience the consequences of the decisions made by the American people the same. During the pandemic, it was an often-used metaphor that “we are swimming in the same ocean, but we are not in the… Read more »

Leaders of Alaska nonprofit organizations and tribes are invited to apply for a 2025 Sabbatical Award. The program provides time away to rest, reflect and rejuvenate. Each recipient will have 90 to 120 continuous days in the coming year to unplug from demanding jobs. The award amount in the coming cycle is $50,000. These grants to the individual’s organization help cover the leader’s salary, interim team, and costs of travel and other experiences during the time off from work. Applications will close on August 14. A Rasmuson Foundation selection panel, which includes prior recipients, will select up to eight individuals for 2025 awards. Learn more here…. Read more »