The Foraker Group

What are you hearing? This is a consistent question I am getting. It is a good one because the question in itself tells us a lot about the state many of us are feeling – uncertainty, unpredictability. In 2009, we talked about a “new normal” in reference to the national economy after the downturn in the stock market. Our new normal today is measured more by what we don’t know. We are asking each other “what are you hearing?” I’m asking the same thing from other people. We crave certainty so that we can respond accordingly. Alas, we have a new normal. That said, one thing I am hearing, which I have been writing about frequently, as have others across the country, is the resurgence of civic engagement. By sheer numbers,… Read more »

Take a sneak peak at our conference offerings. Remember, early bird registration ends March 17! Akaya Windwood, Rockwood Leadership Institute In her work at Rockwood Leadership Institute, Akaya provides transformative leadership trainings for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations globally. She is a partner in the Opportunity Collaboration, an international conference that convenes leaders working to end poverty, directs the Mycelium Fund, which makes small grants to nonprofit organizations based on generosity and interconnectedness, and is faculty on the RSF Social Finance Integrated Capital Fellowship. Akaya has been a featured speaker at the Stanford Social Innovation Institute, the Aspen Institute, and the Association of Black Foundation Executives conferences. She received an Ella Award from the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, and is deeply committed to working for a fair and equitable… Read more »

The 2017 Leadership Summit is right around the corner! Follow along as we highlight our outstanding speakers and post previews of their conference workshops. Jeanne Bell, CompassPoint As executive director of CompassPoint, Jeanne leads an integrated practice of 22 people who use teaching, coaching, consulting, peer learning, and research to advance social equity work in the Bay Area, throughout California, and across the country. She is a leading thinker and engaging national speaker on nonprofit finance and strategy. Jeanne is also very active in the nonprofit sector’s infrastructure – committed not only to the success of CompassPoint and its clients, but to the vibrancy of the progressive sector’s essential scaffolding. To this end, Jeanne serves on both the board of directors and the editorial advisory board of The Nonprofit Quarterly and… Read more »

We’re busy putting together the final details for the 2017 Foraker Leadership Summit. We’re thrilled with the enthusiasm of our speakers and the information and insights they are bringing to Alaska. They’re excited to be joining us. Just a reminder — early bird registration ends Friday, March 17. The early bird fee is $300, or $250 for Foraker Partners. After March 17, the fee will be $350, or $300 for Foraker Partners. In recognition of the economic challenges facing nonprofits this year, we have not raised our fees from 2015 levels. If you’re coming from outside Anchorage, discounted rooms are available at the Hotel Captain Cook. The cost is approximately $140 plus tax per night. You can make your hotel reservations here. The group code is Foraker17. If you have questions about your reservation, please call… Read more »

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 »