The Foraker Group

A vendor for the Municipality of Anchorage mistakenly sent out property tax invoices recently to nonprofits that are exempt from the tax. Organizations that received the notices are advised that new invoices are being prepared that will show no tax due. If you have questions, call the Assessor’s office at 907-343-6500…. Read more »

In June, we debuted our From Bias to Belonging℠ services and stated again our commitment to talking about and doing something about the very real challenges of diversity, equity, and belonging in the nonprofit sector. Indeed, every day in some way we are dedicated to looking deeper, to asking more questions, to listening more, and to learning more. That is our path, and this is the work – to take the lessons learned, turn them into new goals that stretch us, then achieve them, then tackle the next set, and the next. At Foraker, we acknowledge that as a capacity builder we must constantly be learning what the data and our experiences tell us while we meet people and missions where they are. We talk internally about our work as… Read more »

For more than a decade, Foraker has offered interim executive directors. Our interim executive pool consists of highly qualified and seasoned professionals who have led organizations for many years. They can help your board achieve stability after a crisis, give the board breathing room before taking the next step to bring in a new leader, or hold the mission steady during a change. We can place someone with your organization either full or part-time, and they can work virtually or on-site. Contractually this relationship is between Foraker and the organization eliminating the need to hire a temporary staff member. Our interim service is available to any Foraker Partner. Call us and we’ll be pleased to provide you with more information, learn about your organizational needs, and let you know how… Read more »

When our existence feels so deeply divided, finding words that don’t further deepen the chasm is exhausting. My desire on any given day to scream, cry, laugh, sing, celebrate, or mourn in the public square feels equal parts impossible and required. This is not just my life but the life of my peers who are leading organizations that serve the whole community – those they personally align with and those they don’t. This is the choice to lead a nonpartisan nonprofit – to honor the Johnson Amendment that separates religion and money and to respect the boundaries of the charitable (c)(3) designation as defined by the IRS – all while taking a stand for mission. This is the challenge: to lead and be bold but not to alienate. And yet,… 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 biennial survey of nonprofit salaries and benefits is now open. We encourage all Alaska nonprofits to participate. Why? Workforce Development: People power our missions and deserve fair compensation. To attract and retain talent, nonprofits must set competitive wages and benefits. COVID-19: Nonprofits are a vital part of Alaska’s economy and quality of life. Understanding how nonprofit employment is changing is an essential step in planning for what comes next. This year, the survey will ask a few questions about the impacts of the pandemic on nonprofit staffing, wages, and benefits. Pay Equity: We are collecting data on the gender of workers in all 48 positions listed in the survey to inform essential conversations about gender pay equity. This information will build on our recently released report about the gender pay gap… Read more »

We have extended the application period for the 2022 Certificate in Nonprofit Management cohort. Applications are now due on Wednesday, July 6, by 5:00 pm. Are you an Alaska nonprofit or tribal leader? Do you want to enhance your management skills and explore new techniques to effectively lead your organization? The Foraker Certificate in Nonprofit Management features courses developed to apply classroom teachings to your workplace, case studies directly related to issues facing Alaska nonprofits, and a network of fellow professionals to last a lifetime.  Learn more here…. Read more »

We are so pleased to have a newsletter article from our CEO, Laurie Wolf, featured this month in Alaska Business! “Reimagining the Workplace,” which appeared in Foraker’s December newsletter, explores new ways of working after the disruptions from COVID. The article offers a view of fresh opportunities — all with an eye toward fostering creativity and advancing missions. If you missed the article when it was first published, check out this updated version in the magazine, complete with photos of Foraker staff…. Read more »

The right people at the right time to move your mission forward – this is how we approach our work at Foraker. It is a central tenant in the Foraker Nonprofit Sustainability Model and it applies to both board and staff. Beyond a slogan, this idea encapsulates the work of planned succession for both board and leadership staff, addresses the essential relationship between the board and the CEO, and aligns the goals and values of the organization with the people in charge of stewarding those ideas. Importantly, it also speaks to the necessity for representation in all our leadership spaces. There is a historic and current gap between the demographics of most boards and leadership staff – based on race, age, gender, and experience – and the populations they serve…. 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 »