The Foraker Group

We are in the final stretch of the Pick.Click.Give. campaign —  for many nonprofits this is the most important time to encourage giving to their organization. Thousands of Alaskans have yet to file for their PFD. As the March 31 deadline draws near, your organization has the opportunity to connect with potential donors and share your mission widely. To encourage your efforts, the Alaska Community Foundation has announced several bonus grants for organizations in the final push of the campaign: – THREE $5,000 bonus grants (one for the organization with the highest % increase in donations from 2015 to 2016, one for the highest increase in donors from 2015 to 2016, and one for the organization with the greatest increase in total donations from 2015 to 2016.) – A $1,000 bonus grant to a first-year… Read more »

Maybe it’s the increasing stress of running a nonprofit during challenging economic times. Maybe it’s the increasing expectation of the fast pace we are expected to keep. Or maybe it’s the leadership deficit bubble we expected would burst in 2008, but is now playing out. Whatever the reason, lately I’ve had a notable increase in conversations about executive succession – with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am excited for the people who are asking about it because I know they are ready for a break and that they have served the nonprofit sector with their dedication and wisdom. On the other hand, of course, I am concerned that so many seasoned leaders will exit at the same time. We often say that no more than a third of… Read more »

Philanthropy Northwest has started a new series called the Virtual Roundtable. This month features a “discussion” among state nonprofit association leaders, including Foraker’s Laurie Wolf, on the challenges facing nonprofits and the strategies the associations are using to meet them. The leaders outline the key public policy issues they are addressing and offer ideas on how funders can support capacity building. We encourage you to read Laurie’s thoughts and learn what’s happening in the other states in our region…. Read more »

The Foraker Group calls on the 2016 legislature to enact a long-term fiscal plan that is comprehensive, promotes strong rural and urban communities, and protects Alaska’s most vulnerable populations, education, and cultural life. When considering all the proposed expense cuts and revenue options currently presented, legislators should recognize the positive impact of the nonprofit sector on the state’s economy and the cost savings the sector provides to the state budget. A fiscal plan should not depend on a single sector to sustain it, and all options should be determined based on fairness, equity, and ability to pay. According to Laurie Wolf, Foraker President and CEO, it’s important for legislators to understand the value nonprofit organizations bring to Alaska communities. “Alaska nonprofits improve the quality of life for all Alaskans,” she… Read more »

Foraker and CEO Laurie Wolf received a nod today in the “Knowledge Matters” blog from the National Council of Nonprofits for our “values-based” approach to budgeting. Check out the post below: “In Alaska, the state association of nonprofits, The Foraker Group, led by Laurie Wolf, urges nonprofits to prepare for an uncertain future: “…know who you are and where you are going. Make values-based decisions – this applies to every decision from programming, to staffing, to board composition, to budgeting.” Laurie’s recent blog post reminds us of the strong force that nonprofits can be – together – by using our voices and working together to solve problems, and by maintaining our values-based approach.”… Read more »

Each year we ask you to tell us how you compensate your staff. With your participation in the Foraker Salary & Benefit Survey, we are able to create a tool for Alaska nonprofits to use in making important personnel decisions. The survey is designed to help you establish a salary for a new position, evaluate salary norms within the Alaska nonprofit sector, and compare your organization’s benefit offerings and total compensation competitiveness. The report can be used to find information relevant to you – breaking the data down by job titles, organization budget size, and by sub-sector. New this year, we are asking organizations to specify staff gender in order to gauge pay equity in our sector. The link below will take you to a secure online survey that allows you… Read more »

Diversify your funding base – it’s too risky to rely on a single funding source. Plan for the future – know who you are and where you are going. Make values-based decisions – this applies to every decision from programming, to staffing, to board composition, to budgeting. Have your internal house in order and focus on effectiveness and efficiency. Seek new ways of doing your work and look for the most leverage to make every dollar and every effort count. Use your collective voice for change. Notice anything about these six thoughts? They should sound familiar. Why? Because not only are they best practice in the nonprofit field, but you are likely doing or at least working toward all these practices in your own business models. You have also likely… Read more »

We want you to succeed. We know new executive directors face challenges – and we are creating a safe space where you can find support as you face those challenges. Foraker’s Executive Leadership Initiative will assist executive directors who have been in their position for less than three years and want to take the next step in leading their organizations and increasing job satisfaction. Participants will enhance their professional skills and, even more important, will become part of a network of peers who support each other to build on their strengths and tackle their challenges of running a successful nonprofit. This program is aimed at executive directors who have worked hard to learn their jobs and serve their organizations – and may now want additional knowledge, perspective, and support. At… Read more »

We were saddened to learn today that Brent Kapansky passed away over the weekend from a medical condition. Brent served as an accountant for financial shared services from 2010 until the end of 2015 when he left Foraker to pursue other career interests. Brent cared deeply for the nonprofit sector and for the Foraker Partners he served. He was a good friend to all of us in the office, always pitching in when anyone needed a little extra help. Outside the office Brent was an avid sports fan and was loyal to both the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox. He loved sharing game highlights with us. We send our deepest sympathies to Brent’s family and friends…. Read more »

Nonprofits around the country spoke out against a proposal from the Internal Revenue Service that would have created a reporting system encouraging nonprofits to ask for, store, and report donor Social Security numbers. In response to nonprofit organization’s concerns and push-back from lawmakers, news came today that the IRS withdrew the proposal. The proposed regulations could have imposed significant costs and burdens on nonprofit organizations, created public confusion and disincentives for donors to support the work of nonprofits, and could have lead fraudulent actors to increase their targeting of donors and reputable nonprofit organizations. The Foraker Group will continue to monitor and actively respond to important public policy issues. We thank you for joining us in a strong, collective voice for the Alaska nonprofit sector. Read the comments that The Foraker Group submitted to the… Read more »