The Foraker Group

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 »

Our virtual Fundraising Action Plan cohort provides a cost-effective way for your organization to focus on your fundraising strategies with a group of peers and experts on hand – just in time for the end-of-year giving season. The cohort will consist of four, 2-hour webinars of interactive instruction (September 19, and October 3, 17, and 31 from 10:00 am-12:15 pm) as well as up to four hours of individual consultation and coaching time with the instructors. You will walk away with specific tools customized for your organization to use immediately, including: A tool that helps you organize your donor data A calendar to help you plan when to reach out to and “ask” your donors Donor relationship-building language to try out “Ask” language and schedule to implement immediately, just in time for… Read more »

Your organization may be eligible for several upcoming federal grant funds. Check out the two opportunities below and stay up to date on other opportunities at akfederalfunding.org. Nonprofits and tribes are eligible to apply for Denali Commission funds focused on housing, broadband, workforce development, energy, and more in rural Alaska. The deadline to apply is May 13. The Anchorage Assembly has issued a call for proposals for the second round of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The Assembly has set four priority categories for the money: child and family support, housing, economic development and promoting a healthy workforce. The application can be found here. The deadline to apply is May 20…. Read more »

I looked out my window today and the leaves were just at the moment before they unfurl – the moments of anticipation of summer captured on every branch and in every green blade of grass poking up from the brown ground. The backdrop of snow-covered peaks and valleys crusted to a hard sheen by the sun. Soon enough we will be in full summer mode – grabbing every hour of daylight to restock our freezers, replenish our minds, and renew our spirit so that we may be ready for another season. I am ready. Are you? As I literally watched the leaves uncoil a little more, I wondered how this translates into our nonprofit spaces? Summer can pose interesting dilemmas in Alaska workplaces. Personally, I gave up long ago believing… Read more »

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 »