The Foraker Group

On May 5, the Alaska House Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on the status of gender pay equity in Alaska. Foraker President/CEO Laurie Wolf presented research conducted by Foraker on behalf of the nonprofit sector. Thank you, Representative Spohnholz and Representative Fields. I am Laurie Wolf, President/CEO of The Foraker Group, which serves as the state nonprofit association for Alaska and the nonprofit capacity builder. As the voice for the nonprofit sector, Foraker appreciates the opportunity to speak before the committee on a topic we are truly dedicated to in our daily work and for the long haul. Part of our commitment to the sector is to be a source of research that can be turned into action to improve the lives of Alaskans and the communities where we… Read more »

We are excited to announce that Tyonek Tribal Conservation District (TTCD) has selected its next Executive Director. Welcome to Dr. Laurie Stuart.  Dr. Stuart is an experienced nonprofit executive with more than 10 years of leadership roles in science education, conservation, and nonprofit management. She comes to TTCD after serving as a Director at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, and has previously held leadership positions at the Pratt Museum in Homer and at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. A life-long Alaskan, Dr. Stuart earned her Doctorate of Education from the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on sustainability, social justice, and participatory methods in natural resource management. “My work has focused on fostering pro-conservation identity and behavior, with an understanding that effective conservation policies must be community based”, says… Read more »

We are saddened to hear about the passing yesterday of Simone Joyaux, a good friend to Foraker and the nonprofit sector in Alaska. Simone was a key presenter at several Leadership Summits and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Alaska chapter Philanthropy Day conference. She was always popular with participants. Whether she was sharing her knowledge on fund development, volunteerism, or any other aspect of nonprofit leadership, Simone inspired us to reach higher and work harder in service to our missions and communities. We send heartfelt thoughts to her husband, Tom Ahern, and her family and friends. To read more about Simone and her work, see this remembrance from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. On a personal note, Simone was a mentor to me in my own career. Her trusted truth-telling… Read more »

Dear Alaska Nonprofit Leader: We care deeply about you, the people and communities you serve, and the overall welfare of every Alaskan. We are all still in the midst of unprecedented times, and we know that you are doing your best to navigate with every new piece of information on COVID19 and resulting economic challenges. We are proud to stand with you as together we navigate the path forward – from relief, to recovery, to resilience, and beyond. Today we need your help to better understand where you stand after 2020 and what you may need in financial assistance or other relief to move ahead.   Just as in 2020, the information in this survey will help us support you and will be provided to the Alaska funding community and policy… Read more »

We are grateful for a thoughtful and dedicated community of nonprofit leaders. Thank you for making our first-ever virtual Leadership Summit a place of reflection and learning. Together, we are creating a stable, resilient, and adaptive Alaska! How will you take the concepts you learned back to your organization? For starters, you can log back into Whova for the next 3 months (until July 31) to watch the recorded sessions and download the handouts. We encourage you to review what you have learned with your team – board and staff. Here are some additional ways you can continue to connect and integrate what you’ve learned: Executive Directors – join us for the next CEO Connect. We offer this safe space to connect quarterly. Sessions are facilitated to offer support, share knowledge and best practices, and learn from… Read more »

We are excited to announce that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska (BBBSAK) has selected its next chief executive officer. Welcome to Jillian Lush! Jill was chosen from a field of qualified applicants to lead Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska in its mission to ignite the power and promise of youth through one-to-one mentoring relationships. Jill comes to BBBSAK after a decade of leading Sprout Family Services in Homer, Alaska, where the core mission is to promote the healthy development of children in partnership with families and the community. We are proud to have supported BBBSAK’s efforts in finding a new leader through our Leadership Transition services…. Read more »

I have always loved that we have different words for our seasons in Alaska. Our words reflect accuracy but with a touch of humor that lightens the fact that we are experiencing something wholly different from our friends in the Lower 48. For me as a kid, the season of “break-up” was all about hoping my boots had no holes to let the icy water run through as I navigated or sometimes purposely encountered large, melting puddles of standing water on the sidewalks, trails, and streets – all the while savoring the crunch of thin sheets of ice as they buckled beneath my feet. At this time of year, with more than 12 hours of daylight, an energy begins to stir encouraging us to do more, get outside more, and… Read more »

Below is the testimony Laurie Wolf delivered on April 1, 2021, to the House Tribal Affairs Committee, chaired by Representative Tiffany Zulkosky: For the record, I am Laurie Wolf, President/CEO of The Foraker Group, which serves as the state nonprofit association for Alaska and nonprofit capacity builder across the state. Today I am speaking to you from Dena’ina land. As the voice for the nonprofit sector, I appreciate the opportunity to speak before the committee in support of HB 123. Foraker is honored to stand with Alaska’s indigenous people and all Alaska tribes. I am driven to be here today as I reflect and live our core values as an organization. Rather than just saying “Alaska” as our value, we specifically call out our value as Urban/Rural/Native/Non-Native to acknowledge the… Read more »

On March 11, 2021 President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law – it’s the latest federal COVID relief package.  The far-reaching ARPA is packed with financial assistance for nonprofits, individuals, local governments, states, and small businesses.  Thanks to the tireless advocacy of the National Council of Nonprofits for ensuring nonprofits are included in the law.  We know Alaska nonprofits are wanting to learn more about specific parts of the ARPA that affect their organizations, their staff and volunteers, their clients and customers, their communities. 2020 was a tough year, and 2021 presents even more pressing challenges in responding to the global pandemic, and charting a solid, strategic path to long-term recovery.  The ARPA is a significant part of relief and recovery. In the summary below we identify… Read more »

Earlier this month President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law. Join Foraker and our nonprofit partners across the country on Thursday, March 25 at 11:00 am AKST – to welcome former Congressman Cedric Richmond, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, and others to discuss this legislation and what it means for your mission and operations…. Read more »