The Foraker Group

Plenty has been written about the importance of finding “the right” communication channels between the whole board and CEO/Executive Director and the board itself. Often, we think of a few paths for this communication: Executive or board evaluation Board meetings Scheduled check-ins between the executive and the board Regular written updates Recently, I wrote an article on executive evaluation, and I encourage you to revisit it if you and your team are struggling in this space. We also have several articles on board meetings that speak to many aspects of the meeting structure, including the role of staff. Two quick points to consider that could maximize communication in the boardroom are: Recognizing that it is a board meeting, not a staff meeting. If you are the executive, ask yourself how… Read more »

The Foraker office is closed today in observance of Veteran’s Day. We will reopen on Monday, November 13. We are grateful to all who have served and all the nonprofits that support their service…. Read more »

Foraker is improving its systems with a technology upgrade. If you have called or emailed our team in the last 48 hours, we may not have seen your message. The best way to reach a Foraker team member is by sending an email to info@forakergroup.org. The message will be passed along. Our systems will be running at full capacity in the coming days. Thanks for your patience!… Read more »

ELI is designed for executive directors who have been in their current position for up to three years and want to take the next step in leading their organizations and increasing job performance.  During your ELI experience, you will strengthen your board relationship, explore management and planning strategies with an experienced mentor, and learn from a network of peers. Learn more about the program here. Applications are now open. To apply, fill out this form and e-mail your current resume to Kate Rose at krose@forakergroup.org. The deadline to apply is December 18. … Read more »

The National Council of Nonprofits reports that changes proposed by the Biden administration to the rules governing federal grantmaking would “correct longstanding challenges that have limited nonprofit effectiveness, discouraged qualified organizations from seeking and performing under federal grants, and wasted billions of dollars and countless hours in needlessly complex reporting requirements.” In announcing the reforms, the administration said that the “proposal will materially decrease the burden on recipients of federal financial assistance, advance equity and job growth across the country, and meaningfully improve the administration of federal financial assistance.” The proposal would amend rules for grantmaking to charitable nonprofits, state, local, and tribal governments, and others. Public comments on the changes will be taken until December 4, 2023. Read more from the Council here…. Read more »

We regularly receive calls requesting us to teach parliamentary procedure – often referred to as Robert’s Rules of Order – and regularly we decline. We are not intentionally being obstinate, but there is something about teaching it that feels off for us – like we are not telling the whole story. We believe that focusing too much on the Rules takes away from important aspects of what makes for an effective meeting. Sometimes I remind groups that using Robert’s Rules is a “self-inflicted choice” so they know they can pivot if Robert becomes a burden and not an opportunity for structure. Some nonprofits have noted the use of Robert’s Rules in their bylaws, but most have not. It is simply a way of running a meeting that has “always been… Read more »

The 2018 federal government shutdown lasted 35 days. Today we are standing on the precipice of another shutdown. To avoid a “partial shutdown,” Congress must pass a stopgap bill known as a continuing resolution – the CR – by tomorrow to provide temporary funding to run the government. A federal shutdown translates to real and potentially devastating impacts on people, communities, and nonprofits that Americans rely on every day. Previous shutdowns proved in too many ways that nonprofits will once again be called on to provide a safety net for individuals who are without a paycheck. These same nonprofits already are operating within fragile systems with too few employees and fewer volunteers and philanthropic investments, which are the result of pandemic shifts and a lack of funding from state governments… Read more »

It is with great sadness that we offer our deepest condolences to Congresswoman Peltola and her family. We mourn the loss of Gene Peltola — an esteemed Alaska leader — and recognize his important contributions to his family, our state, and the nation. Both Mary and Buzzy served on the Foraker board and are part of the Foraker family. Our hearts go out to Mary, and we stand with her and support her through this tragic time…. Read more »

Decades into recommending a board matrix to focus on recruiting “the right people at the right time to serve mission” (as we say in the Foraker Nonprofit Sustainability Model), it dawned on me several years ago that when the data on board diversity still had not shifted, perhaps one of the problems is that the tool many groups are using to actually diversify the board is broken. Turns out, the tool itself may be fine, but if the users (you and me) are not implementing it with clear intentions, it will inevitably maintain the status quo in the boardroom. To be fair, that may be exactly what you are after, but again, many groups actually turn to the matrix to purposefully engage diverse individuals in the room based not just… Read more »

We’re hiring for an Operations & Education Coordinator. If you know a master multi-tasker with excellent communication skills and an upbeat attitude interested in expanding their career in the nonprofit sector, send them our way! Learn more here…. Read more »