The Alaska Community Foundation will be accepting applications through April 26 for grants from their Strengthening Organizations Fund. Awards will support nonprofit staff and boards of directors to access tools, develop practical skills, and cultivate systems needed to effectively achieve the organization’s mission in the areas of leadership development, organizational development, program development, collaboration and community engagement, and evaluation of effectiveness. Foraker is ready to stand beside you if you choose to engage with us through our capacity-building services for this grant…. Read more »

Today, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust released two wonderful reflections that we are so honored to highlight. Both are a celebration of Steve Moore’s leadership over the last 16 years. Since our inception, the Trust has been standing alongside Foraker. Yes, as a funder of our efforts, but more than that as a true believer in the power and possibility of the nonprofit sector – as a thoughtful and deeply introspective listener to Alaska’s unique challenges and opportunities – as a thought leader with us and so many others about genuine ways to move missions forward. We have had the pleasure of working with a broad group of people at the Trust and every time, regardless of the topic, we are aligned with their mission and values. All of this amounts… Read more »

Our hearts and minds are with the families and friends in Buffalo, Santa Ana, Uvalde, and the too many other places where people are grieving as a result of gun violence. In the wake of each tragedy, our collective grief often drives us to take beautiful action. We encourage you to use your voice, your vote, and your charitable action today and every day to stand for what you believe in. Unfortunately, national tragedies are also a time when donation sites pop up that are not verifiable, not charitable, and provide no guarantee that the intended audience will benefit from your generosity. We strongly encourage you to do your homework before you donate. Consider these tips: Check out GuideStar (www.guidestar.com) to make sure the recipient of your donation is a… Read more »

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Ed Rasmuson. We at Foraker, in the nonprofit community, and around the state truly admired Ed and all that he accomplished for Alaska. Ed was a visionary, philanthropist, statesman, family man, and friend. To us, he was our founding board chair, consistent champion, and our Chair Emeritus. Ed deeply embraced what it means to “stand beside Alaska’s nonprofits.” He showed the way for the rest of us, and we will forever honor his work and the legacy he leaves us. We send our deepest condolences to Cathy Rasmuson, Natasha von Imhof, Laura Emerson, and the entire Rasmuson family, as well as to the Rasmuson Foundation board and staff. You may read more about Ed, his life, and his dedication… Read more »

We are saddened to hear about the passing yesterday of Simone Joyaux, a good friend to Foraker and the nonprofit sector in Alaska. Simone was a key presenter at several Leadership Summits and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Alaska chapter Philanthropy Day conference. She was always popular with participants. Whether she was sharing her knowledge on fund development, volunteerism, or any other aspect of nonprofit leadership, Simone inspired us to reach higher and work harder in service to our missions and communities. We send heartfelt thoughts to her husband, Tom Ahern, and her family and friends. To read more about Simone and her work, see this remembrance from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. On a personal note, Simone was a mentor to me in my own career. Her trusted truth-telling… Read more »

Rasmuson Foundation has reopened their small grant program, known as Tier 1, to fund emergency needs of nonprofits, local governments and tribal organizations. Complete applications must be in hand by Nov. 30, so don’t delay. Awards of up to $10,000 for either operational or capital needs will be made in December. Interested organizations should click here to learn more and apply…. 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 »

Tyler Mahoney is a former intern at The Foraker Group and currently blogs on The Huffington Post. He offers these thoughts on youth, philanthropy and what inspires Gen Y to give. ——– Before we move into young people and philanthropy I want to take a minute to help you understand the mindset of a young change maker. In a time where young people fill their lives with passions and illusions, I assert that the nonprofit organization provides a real grounded tool for the forming and shaping of society at a time when current world events are quickly entering text books faster than ever before. Our parents were transfixed by Atlas Shrugged, Reaganism, and evolution of the American dream – from entering the middle class to seeing if they can get… Read more »

Each year the Association of Fundraising Professionals Alaska Chapter honors individuals and organizations that have given themselves as well as nurtured philanthropy in others. Those receiving recognition today — the 2013 Philanthropy Day — include: Outstanding Corporation in Philanthropy – Era Alaska Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy – Snow City Café Outstanding Philanthropist – Eric McCallum and Robin Smith Outstanding Volunteer in Philanthropy – E. Jean Kaufman Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Sarah Mixsell Brooke McPheters (posthumous award) Outstanding Professional in Philanthropy – Joanne Phillips-Nutter Eugene R. Wilson Award – Joseph E. Usibelli and Peggy Shumaker Please congratulate this year’s award recipients and thank them for all they do for the sector in Alaska…. Read more »

A bill was submitted in the Alaska legislature this past week that would provide endowment funds to local community foundations. The Endow Alaska grant program (Alaska House Bill 290) calls for making an annual grant to a lead philanthropic organization. That money would then be distributed to community foundations as one-to-one matches for money raised from local communities. Thus, says one sponsor, state dollars would leverage local giving and community foundations would be provided with some help in building their asset bases and local support. Read more-… Read more »