The Foraker Group

The Internal Revenue Service is warning that a W-2 email phishing scam is moving beyond the corporate sector to school districts, tribal organizations, and nonprofits. According to the IRS, cybercriminals use various spoofing techniques to disguise an email to make it appear as if it is from an organization executive. The email is sent to an employee in the payroll or human resources departments, requesting a list of all employees and their Forms W-2. IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said “this is one of the most dangerous email phishing scams we’ve seen in a long time. It can result in the large-scale theft of sensitive data that criminals can use to commit various crimes, including filing fraudulent tax returns. We need everyone’s help to turn the tide against this scheme.” More information is available on the IRS website…. Read more »

First Lady Donna Walker has announced that nominations are open for the Volunteer of the Year Awards. Started by First Lady Bella Hammond in 1975, the awards recognize Alaska volunteers who have displayed an extraordinary personal commitment to volunteer service, and have made a major impact on their community or state. “Over the years, we have recognized many exceptional individuals who have done amazing things for Alaskans,” said First Lady Walker. “I am so pleased to continue this tradition, and encourage Alaskans to nominate those in their communities whose selfless efforts make Alaska an even better place to live.” Nominations will be accepted through close of business on March 6, 2017. The First Lady’s Volunteer of the Year Executive Committee will review the nominations, and recipients will be announced in late May…. Read more »

We are pleased to offer travel assistance for Foraker Partners attending the 2017 Leadership Summit who live outside the Anchorage/Mat-Su area. Because funds are limited, please review the application criteria to determine if you or a member of your organization is eligible. Deadline for applying is Friday, February 17. You will be notified no later than Wednesday, March 1, if we are able to assist you. Again, funds are limited and we may not be able to accommodate everyone who applies. You’ll find details on application criteria and an application form here…. Read more »

Let’s try an experiment. Close your eyes and imagine an entire industry – say tourism. Now imagine the kinds of jobs being done. What did you see? Were the jobs being done only by for-profit businesses? Was government involved? How about nonprofits? My guess is that since you are reading a nonprofit newsletter you are likely inclined to see a fuller picture of the way we work in Alaska – one where nonprofits work next to government and for-profits to make our economy work. And yet, while you might know this, I have experienced on too many occasions that when talking about our economy the assumption is different. The line of thinking goes something like this: Growing Alaska’s businesses is good for the economy and, equally true, decreasing the number… Read more »

The Foraker Group is honored to announce the Alice Galvin Catalyst Leadership Fund – our way of recognizing the contributions Alice made to us and to her community. The fund will offer financial support to participants in our Catalyst for Nonprofit Excellence program, which Alice helped to found. Alice Galvin was a catalyst herself. Her passion and commitment to supporting leaders in their chosen field was dynamic, genuine, and gracious. Foraker will be forever grateful to Alice for her belief that a leadership development program deeply rooted in the practice of emotional intelligence could elevate the level of success for nonprofit professionals. Alice, along with former BP Alaska President Steve Marshall, was the energy behind Foraker’s Catalyst program. Because of Alice, we are able to offer this innovative experience that… Read more »

Anchorage Foraker Partners and friends: We ask that you participate in an important survey that will help the community develop a five-year plan focused on making Anchorage more economically resilient.  The survey is part of an effort by local organizations to develop what’s called a Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Anchorage. The CEDS Survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ANCHCEDS and is open to residents of the Municipality of Anchorage until February 7. Completing this CEDS survey provides the opportunity for Anchorage nonprofit boards, executive leaders and staff to have a say in the community’s long-term economic vitality.  We know that a strong, healthy and dynamic nonprofit sector makes Anchorage a better place to live, work and raise our families – the kind of community we are all proud to be… Read more »

At Foraker, we have always been champions for the one-page strategic plan. We savor a clearly stated, motivational, and grounded document that offers a map and a compass. The map tells you about the future and the compass reminds you of your true North – your DNA – your core purpose and values. Time and again, we see the value of this tool in your toolbox. But not until recently had I considered the power of a single word as a planning guide. Recently I was meeting with my peer support team from my own Catalyst experience and as we were going around the circle talking about the upcoming year and our goals, one of my colleagues honed in on it for us. “One word,” she challenged. New energy surfaced…. Read more »

The first 100 days of a new administration are often marked by a flurry of activity. With one party in control of the White House, the U.S. Senate, and the House of Representatives, significant legislative and regulatory changes are a near certainty. Many of these changes will affect nonprofits, either directly or indirectly, and some may require quick action to defend the nonprofit community and the ability to advance our missions. The National Council of Nonprofits has just published a look at six federal issues that will likely be taken up this year and what they mean for the sector. We encourage you to read the article “Nonprofits Need to Stand Together to Push for Smart Public Policies,” share it with your board and other stakeholders, and be ready to… Read more »

The Rasmuson Foundation is bringing back Michael Balaoing to Alaska! Michael joined Foraker in 2013 at the Leadership Summit and inspired us all with his pointed tips and energetic techniques to craft better nonprofit storytellers. He is back for a half-day training in Fairbanks – don’t miss it! Your Story Matters: How to Inspire Donors & Supporters January 17, 2017 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Fairbanks Community Food Bank  … Read more »

Deadline to respond is January 13, 2017. All Alaska nonprofits that receive at least $500,000 in grant funds from the state in a fiscal year are required to file a State Single Audit. Foraker believes the current audit requirements are onerous and take time and money away from critical nonprofit missions. For the past two years, Foraker has prioritized the need for a change to this requirement. We have been urging the state to change the audit requirements in the following ways: To raise the State Single Audit threshold from its current $500,000 to at least $750,000 to match the federal government threshold. To build into regulations an automatic increase in the state threshold to reflect expected increases in the federal threshold. In other words, if the federal threshold goes… Read more »