The Foraker Group

A funding freeze for any length of time could affect the billions of dollars Alaska receives each year from the federal government. Recent Foraker research in partnership with the UA Center for Economic Development shows our state received $38 billion in federal funds in 2023. This is in addition to funds received between 2022 and 2024 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ($7.6 billion), the Inflation Reduction Act ($2.5 billion), broadband funding ($2.2 billion), and remaining federal pandemic relief funds ($2.5 trillion). Alaska is one of the largest recipients of federal funds per capita, with roughly 37% of the state’s annual budget coming from the federal government. Every Alaskan will feel the impact of retrenchment. To better understand the impact of a freeze, Foraker conducted two surveys of nonprofits… Read more »

We want to remind you that the National Council of Nonprofits regularly updates the status of the executive orders signed by President Trump. You can find those updates here and on our web page in the section Federal Actions — Updates. We also encourage you to check our web page regularly where we post information, resources, and news reports specifically for Alaska nonprofits…. Read more »

Senator Lisa Murkowsi is hosting a tele-town hall on February 19 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm AKST. The number to call is 855-756-7520 Ext 120665# Call in to share your concerns about federal funding with the Senator…. Read more »

Today, we celebrate Elizabeth Peratrovich, a Tlingit woman who played a pivotal role in the fight for Alaska Native civil rights. Her advocacy helped pass Alaska’s first anti-discrimination law, which became the first of its kind in the United States. In honor of Elizabeth Peratrovich and President’s Day, Foraker will be closed on Monday, February 17. Artwork by Crystal Worl… Read more »

As Congress begins work on tax and spending priorities, much is at stake for charitable nonprofits. Lawmakers will decide policy questions that can have a profound impact – positive or negative – on the ability of local organizations to improve lives, strengthen communities, and advance the public good. Sign onto the Nonprofit Community Letter to ensure Representatives and Senators understand the importance and impact of charitable organizations to their constituents and communities. Go here to add your organization’s name to this vital communication…. Read more »

During our recent annual meeting, the Governance Board elected several new board members. Welcome to our new Governance Board Members: Bryan Butcher – CEO/Executive Director, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (Bryan is a returning board member!) Grier Hopkins – Mayor of Fairbanks North Star Borough Curtis McQueen – Executive Director, Alaska Native Village Corporation Association Pearl Brower will remain our Governance Board Chair and Pat Branson will remain our Secretary/Treasurer. Welcome to our new Statewide Advisory Council Members (formerly known as the Operations Board): Roy Agloinga, President & CEO, First Alaskans Institute Eric Utraq Billingsley, President & CEO, United Way of Anchorage Mark Lackey, Executive Director, CCS Early Learning Marie-Sylvestre Olesen, Executive Director, Fairbanks Concert Association Mindy O’Neall, Executive Director, Cold Climate Housing Research Center Ivy Spohnholz, Alaska State Director, The Nature Conservancy… Read more »

By now, I hope you have seen the new page on our website, where we are tracking the impacts of federal funding so that you can have a one-stop trusted source of information. There you will find the latest federal and Alaska updates, resources, and a link to our partner, the National Council of Nonprofits. NCN is tracking executive orders and their impact on the nonprofit sector and is also the lead plaintiff in one of the lawsuits stopping the freeze of federal funds to nonprofits, tribes, and local governments. We are grateful, too, to be part of a network of state nonprofit associations that is looking out for the sector in their states and generously sharing their tools for helping nonprofits understand and manage our current operating environment. It… Read more »

After the administration’s announcement on January 27 of a federal funding freeze, Foraker sought to quickly understand the potential impact in Alaska. The results present a quick snapshot of a catastrophic impact on the health and well-being of Alaskans and the organizations that serve them. You’ll find a summary of the results here, followed by questions your organization should consider to prepare for what may come next…. Read more »

The judge presiding over the National Council of Nonprofits case granted another Temporary Restraining Order against the administration’s ability to halt federal grants and loans – you can find the ruling here and the press release here. In summary, The DOJ’s motion to dismiss was DENIED. OMB is ENJOINED from implementing, giving effect to, or reinstating under a different name the directive to halt federal spending broadly. OMB must provide notice to all federal agencies and instruct all such agencies to release any funding that was paused under the directive…. Read more »

The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind for many nonprofits, from the more than 100 Executive Orders (EOs) issued by President Trump to the confusion about the funding freeze ordered in a memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). While a judge granted an Administrative Stay in the case filed by the National Council of Nonprofits and others, and OMB rescinded the memo, the EOs are still in effect, and charitable nonprofits with federal grants are still feeling the impact of these decisions. Join this free, national webinar, “Executive Actions and their Impact on Charitable Nonprofits,” on Friday, February 7 from 11:00 – 12:00 pm Alaska to learn more about EOs, the ones most directly or indirectly impacting charitable nonprofits, and the latest on the legal challenges…. Read more »