The Foraker Group

The nonprofit sector is changing – more than the usual flux we expect for a sector that meets communities’ needs and responds to gaps that government either can’t or won’t fill. We expect that. We see that. But based on new federal policies and the state’s shifting priorities, changes will be and already are monumental. How it settles out is unclear. There are hundreds of lawsuits still to play out. The new federal budget bill will take years (in some cases until 2028) for the full impacts to be felt and many decisions are already taking their toll. In the article, It’s Personal: Why Nonprofits Matter to Everyone, we explored all the quiet ways nonprofits make our communities, our society, and our democracy work. Most people don’t notice but that’s… Read more »

On July 1, 2025,  the minimum wage will increase to $13 per hour, following the approval of Ballot Measure 1 in 2024. Under this same measure, the minimum wage will continue to rise, reaching $14 per hour in 2026 and $15 per hour in 2027. Additionally, beginning July 1, 2025, employers who do not already have a paid time off policy that meets the elements of the ballot measure will be required to provide paid sick leave. If an employer has 15 or more employees, each employee can accrue up to 56 hours of paid sick leave per year. If the employer has fewer than 15 employees, each employee can accrue up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year. In February, we offered a webinar sharing what we… Read more »

We are sad to hear the news of Clark Gruening’s passing. Clark was a founding Foraker board member and one of our first board chairs. We are grateful for his visionary leadership, thoughtfulness, and kind heart as he helped us navigate the early years. Clark was also an inspirational leader for many other Alaska nonprofits and philanthropic organizations. We send his family and all Alaskans who experienced his generosity our deepest condolences. … Read more »

Our latest report details pay inequity in the state’s nonprofit sector, and guess what? We have work to do, and together we can lead the way. Join us on July 1 at 1:00 pm to learn what the data says about the nonprofit workforce and hear about steps your organization can take to promote gender pay equity. Through a partnership with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Economic Development, Alaska data on the pay gap is easier to ascertain than in other states. Here is how it works: through careful and confidential efforts, the Department of Labor compiles data on pay rates for various job classifications. Researchers then used employer identification numbers (EINs) to identify nonprofit employees. Finally, they applied gender information from permanent fund dividend data. As… Read more »

After months of planning and an extensive search using our comprehensive Leadership Transition services, Foraker has helped place Cady Lister as the new Executive Director of the Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP). Ms. Lister was chosen from a large field of highly qualified applicants to lead REAP’s growing team in their mission to increase the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Alaska through collaboration, education, training, and advocacy. Ms. Lister will assume her new role on July 8. She will overlap with REAP’s Founder and current Executive Director, Chris Rose, for 60 days to ensure a smooth leadership transition before Mr. Rose embarks upon his next adventure during his well-deserved retirement. Ms. Lister has over 20 years of experience developing and implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency policies,… Read more »

We know many organizations are navigating uncertainty caused by changes in federal funding. Foraker is ready to stand beside you as you determine your next steps. Many of you joined us for our Financial Scenario Planning class in February and our Navigating Staffing Changes class in March. Over the coming months we will continue to offer free trainings, resources, and convenings we are calling “Rapid Response.” The next offerings will take place this summer, starting with the following webinars: Mergers, Acquisitions, Consolidations, Partnerships, and Everything In Between June 18 from 10:00 – 11:30 am Raising Revenue in a Crisis: Is It Even Possible? July 2 from 10:00 – 11:30 am Raising Charitable Dollars in a Crisis: What to Consider Now July 16 from 10:00 – 11:30 am  … Read more »

“In Alaska, we belong to each other.” “We can take good care of each other.” These are the lines in one of my favorite spoken word poems by NaMee. This poem was written in response to the proposed, devastating budget cuts in the early days of Governor Dunleavy’s administration. But the reason for the poem is less important than the response, and the response is so powerful that it is still as true today as the day it was created. The poem not only reminds us about what we collectively love about this place, it reminds us about what it means to live here, to raise our families here, to make a living here. It reminds us that part of that choice is a responsibility to see the people around… Read more »

As part of our work as Alaska’s nonprofit association, Foraker pursues nonpartisan or bipartisan public policy initiatives with local, state, and federal governments. The first session of the 34th Alaska Legislature adjourned on May 20, 2025, and Foraker was actively involved with several key issues. During the session, legislators had critical conversations about the importance of nonprofits in our state. Those conversations began with the first “Lunch and Learn” of the session, which featured a presentation on our report Alaska’s Nonprofit Sector: Generating Economic Impact, to comments at a hearing on the impact of federal funding on the sector. And importantly, several Foraker public policy priorities were introduced as legislation. Following is a summary of the legislative outcomes. Prompt Payment Parity For many years, Alaska nonprofits, municipalities, and tribal organizations… Read more »

We’re searching for a Bookkeeper/Staff Accountant! The ideal candidate will be collaborative and flexible, have excellent organizational skills and follow-through, and enjoy a fast-paced, highly varied suite of accounting duties. This position is responsible for processing payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable for nonprofits and tribal organizations across Alaska. Learn more at forakergroup.org/jobs… Read more »

Does your organization anticipate a leadership change in the coming months? A smooth transition from one leader to another will keep your organization focused on its mission. We can help you create a process for a successful leadership change by taking a realistic and thoughtful approach. We’ve created FAQs to help you assess if our Leadership Transition services are a fit for your organization. We are also relaunching our community class – Recruiting for the Long-Term: Finding Leaders that Stay – on June 12 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. If your organization is looking to be more thoughtful about leadership transition, this class is for you. You can learn more about our Leadership Transition services here…. Read more »