The Foraker Group

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. Applications for the 2022 cohort are now open. Learn more here…. Read more »

On a warm east coast day, I walked into a scene that many in the field relish – the sight of 100+ people from at least ten different arts and culture organizations diving into their missions with full enthusiasm and ready – really ready – for what would emerge. This was the backdrop of my first extended visit with Richard Evans. From that moment, I knew that not only would Alaska benefit but so would all of us at Foraker. Oh gosh, was that so true. Richard made many visits to Alaska – presenting at two Leadership Summits and working very intensely with arts groups from all parts of the state to inspire deep and meaningful civic practice work. He also spent a lot of time with the Foraker team… Read more »

Alaska nonprofits exist to serve diverse missions across the state. While some focus on specific neighborhoods or geographical areas or exist to support specific industries like trade or professional associations, others like chambers of commerce, labor unions, and workforce development agencies support networks of people and businesses. Together, these nonprofits serve as the backbone of Alaska’s businesses and government. One such nonprofit, the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA), brings together tourism businesses to offer networking and training opportunities, while advocating for the visitor industry as a whole. ATIA’s mission is to promote Alaska as a premier destination, which it does in part by managing the state’s tourism marketing program. When COVID-19 broke out, ATIA developed a partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), to distribute health and… Read more »

Have you ever had the experience of thinking something and then suddenly it’s in every conversation and everywhere you look? I’ve been having that experience lately. So, what is it? Actually, it’s the effort to name a state of change and the very real experience of living “in-between.” Certainly, there are many people who live their whole life “in the hyphen” of their experience – meaning they are actively living in two or more cultures, two or more personas, or two or more roles. And I believe right now, and throughout the pandemic, we have all been living in this space. This in-between time has many names and many ways to navigate. Some years ago I was introduced to the word “liminality” by a friend and mentor Richard Evans. Liminality… Read more »

The nonprofit Yuut Elitnaurviat People’s Learning Center is the principle adult education and workforce training organization in Bethel, the hub for the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region. This vast area in southwest Alaska covers 75,000 square miles (around the size of South Dakota) and is home to over 26,000 people. The organization’s mission is to prepare residents for in-demand, high-wage jobs that are critical to the economy of the region. Its extensive work in career development extends from basic qualifications to specialized certification, both of which seek to increase the earning potential of residents and help fill open positions with qualified applicants. One of its leading programs is the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) course. Open nursing positions are a constant in the region, both in Bethel and the surrounding villages. Yuut Elitnaurviat’s… Read more »

We’ve all known that ranked choice voting was coming to Alaska, but not this soon. The passing of Congressman Don Young has accelerated the use of ranked choice voting in Alaska by a few months, and like all of our fellow Alaskans we need to know more so we can participate fully in this special election. Alaska nonprofits have an important voice in shaping public policy, in part through the ballot box. Nonprofits can break down barriers to civic engagement by demystifying the process, providing language access, and by using our trusted voice to cast a wider net of engagement. Ultimately, when we all vote, we all win. If you missed our webinar on ranked choice voting, you can find the recording here and can find more resources below. Alaska… Read more »

As Alaska’s nonprofit state association, we connect with policy makers, businesses, and other nonprofits to highlight the positive impacts nonprofits have on our state. Positioning the sector as a credible voice is a role we take seriously. Each year a joint committee representing Foraker’s Governance and Operations Boards analyzes issues affecting the Alaska nonprofit sector. In addition to ensuring that we are nonpartisan, Foraker’s Public Policy Committee uses four criteria (see How does Foraker decide which issues to focus on?) to analyze issues and recommend annual priorities. We are excited to work together on reaching our 2022 advocacy objectives. We invite you to join us in advocating for the following issues that have an impact on your mission and the sector – you can learn more about each of these… Read more »

We are excited to launch a new tool for organizations that may be considering a capital project, whether it’s constructing a new facility or renovating a current building to better serve your mission. We know this can be a daunting task. Our new Pre-Development Online Toolkit is designed to assist you. This toolkit is much more than a few instruction sheets and checklists. It brings together the experiences of many organizations that have gone through our Pre-D program. It offers guidance and tools to assist board and staff to educate themselves, explore options, and make informed decisions. With the influx of federal dollars from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, it is more important than ever that organizations, governments, and tribes are prepared to use those funds as efficiently and effectively as they… Read more »

In partnership with the Alaska Municipal League, Alaska Federation of Natives, and through support from the Municipality of Anchorage, The Foraker Group is taking part in a Federal Grant Symposium on April 12 from 9am – 4pm at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage following events hosted by Senator Murkowski on April 11. Nonprofit leaders are encouraged to register to attend. The event is free and offers learning opportunities focused on federal grant compliance, preparing to apply for federal grants, and opportunities to network and engage with community development projects being planned at the regional and local levels. While the presentations will be in the context of the federal funding coming to Alaska through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed earlier this year, this symposium is an opportunity to collaborate with community members, organizations, and leaders from… Read more »

Our nonprofit economic impact report is ready for you to use when you speak with policy makers, or do your own planning, or understand the world around you, and our goal is to create ways for you to use it as if it were your own. We’ve found that sometimes when we share our report we run straight into myths about our sector and our work. It can be hard to know how to respond in a way that feels strengths-based, relationship focused, and at the same time informative so the conversation can shift to a more productive place. To that end, below are five of so many myths about nonprofits followed by possible responses to get you unstuck in these sticky conversations. Myth: Nonprofits are all the same. Myth:… Read more »