Latest news, alerts, and events.
Latest news, alerts, and events.
We are pleased that media in both Alaska and around the country are reporting on the impact COVID-19 is having on the nonprofit sector and the many organizations that continue as best they can to serve their communities. On this page, we will share the reports of how we and our partner the National Council of Nonprofits are working to ensure that the sector is part of both state and federal relief programs. And we’ll share with you some stories of ways that Foraker Partners and other Alaska nonprofits are managing the crisis.
State working to get $290M CARES Act funds to small businesses, nonprofits — KTVA, May 21, 2020. This week the Alaska State Legislature cleared the way for more than $1 billion in funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act — also known as the CARES Act.
Alaska’s Nonprofits Support Swift Disbursement of CARES Act Relief Funding — Laurie Wolf testimony to the Senate Finance Committee, May 18, 2020.
To the House Labor and Commerce Committee: Include Nonprofits in the State’s Disbursement of CARES Relief Funding — Laurie Wolf testimony, April 25, 2020.
Alaska Humanities Forum to distribute emergency funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to support Alaska’s cultural organizations — Anchorage Press, April 23, 2020. Grants of up to $10,000 will be available to cover operational costs and financial duress caused by COVID-19 closures and cancellations, and the resulting loss of earned revenue.
Alaskans join to create $1 million fund in support of COVID-19 recovery — Press release from Rasmuson Foundation, April 23, 2020. Individual Alaskans, corporations, and other organizations have contributed $1.4 million so far to AK Can Do fund.
$484B More in Stimulus Funds Headed for Release: What’s Included, What’s Not — Nonprofit Quarterly, April 22, 2020. Bill passes the Senate and is expected to be voted on in the House today.
Fairbanks Community Food Bank meets increased demand during COVID-19 pandemic — KTVF, April 13, 2020. The Fairbanks Community Food Bank (FCFB) has adjusted its operations amid increased demand and social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How life inside a mental health treatment facility changed in a COVID-19 world — KTUU, April 12, 2020. Programs at nonprofits like Akeela are finding ways to continue serving residents.
Donors asked to contribute $500,000 to feed children and families in Anchorage — Anchorage Daily News, April 9, 2020. Bean’s Cafe and The Children’s Lunchbox are spearheading the campaign.
Many team up on new “AK Can Do” Fund — Anchorage Press, April 9, 2020. A new statewide fund connects donors in every Alaska community with families and organizations facing dire economic hardships from the coronavirus pandemic.
Northrim Bank contributes $25,000 to support The Foraker Group during COVID-19 pandemic — Press release issued April 10, 2020. We deeply appreciate Northrim’s generous gift that will help us help Alaska’s nonprofit sector.
$16M funneled into Alaska healthcare system via CARES Act — KTUU, April 8, 2020. Announcement from Alaska’s congressional delegation. Will go to variety of Alaska nonprofits and tribes.
How Alaska’s nonprofits are feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic — Alaska Public Media, April 8, 2020. Interview with Laurie Wolf.
Foraker head talks about challenges faced by nonprofits due to COVID-19 — Anchorage Press, April 6, 2020. Interview with Laurie Wolf.
The unique struggles of nonprofits during COVID-19 — KTUU, April 3, 2020. Interviews with Foraker President/CEO Laurie Wolf and Rasmuson Foundation President/CEO Diane Kaplan.
Camp Fire to offer child care for healthcare workers and first responders starting Monday — Alaska Public Media, April 3, 2020.
The $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill encourages Americans to donate to charity — MarketWatch, March 31, 2020. Interview with Rick Cohen, National Council of Nonprofits.
Foraker survey reveals dire straits due to COVID-19 crisis — Anchorage Press, March 27, 2020. Report on Foraker’s recent survey that measured the impact of the crisis on Alaska nonprofits.
Congress put together a $2 trillion relief package. What happens next? — Talk of Alaska, Alaska Public Media, March 27, 2020. Program features a question and comments from Laurie Wolf on support for nonprofits.
A New Mission for Nonprofits During the Outbreak: Survival — New York Times, March 27, 2020. Interview with National Council of Nonprofits CEO Tim Delaney.
COVID-19 puts Alaska nonprofits at risk — March 27, 2020. Press release reporting on a Foraker survey conducted March 16-24. Over 450 organizations from every segment of the nonprofit community and every part of the state confirmed that their ability to deliver services is deeply impacted as a result of the pandemic.
The State of Alaska is opening up applications for a $290 million small-business and nonprofit grant program.
The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED) and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) are partnering with the lender Credit Union 1 (CU1) to support small business and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, through the AK CARES Funding Program.
The application to apply for AK CARES will be provided on the CU1 website. The application period is currently scheduled to begin on June 1, 2020, and funds will be awarded first-come, first-serve. We encourage you to prepare your documentation now (a list of items is provided in the FAQs here).
More information can be found here and here.
Foraker President/CEO Laurie Wolf called on the Senate Finance Committee to move critical CARES Act funds to Alaska’s nonprofits and small businesses as fast as possible. “We need it today so we can be here tomorrow,” she said. Read her full testimony here.
This is not intended as financial or legal advice.
Did you receive a PPP loan for less than $2 million? The SBA announced today: “Any borrower that, together with its affiliates, received PPP loans with an original principal amount of less than $2 million will be deemed to have made the required certification concerning the necessity of the loan request in good faith.” You can learn more here. (question #46).
What does that mean for you as a borrower? The SBA will accept the good faith certification on your PPP application certifying the loan was necessary. The SBA will not be asking you to submit additional documentation to demonstrate need. You will still need to meet the other guidelines of the PPP program.
As of today, the SBA has not released further guidance on forgiveness. They are working on the guidance, and we will let you know once it is released
Earlier this week, the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee of the Alaska Legislature approved Governor Dunleavy’s plan to spend federal coronavirus aid from the CARES act. Through our collective advocacy efforts with many of our partners, we were successful in ensuring that nonprofits are included in multiple funding streams and that we are seen as a key component of our state’s economy. While it is not clear yet exactly what the guidelines for distribution will be, know that we are working to ensure that the intent remains strong to include nonprofits in these programs.
The following is a partial list of the allocation (pending litigation) of $1.25 billion of Alaska CARES funding. Nonprofit leaders should watch each of these avenues as their missions dictate and apply or be ready to receive the funding when the guidelines are available.
Other funds approved by the committee include $50 million dedicated to nonprofits at the frontline of responding to COVID-19. These grants will flow through the Department of Health and Social Services, although the actual mechanism for distribution has not yet been determined.
You can find the details here.
Please connect with your local government and share our grant guidelines with leaders to create a plan for disbursement
We will share more information when we learn more.