The Foraker Group

Mollie Kabler – Sitka, AK Executive Director, CoastAlaska Alaska Arts Southeast, Inc board member I was in a place in my career where things were static. I’d been effectively managing CoastAlaska for a number of years, but I knew in order to stay energized I needed something. At the same time, my husband was recovering from cancer treatment, and the health threat had turned our world upside down. I was determined to be “all in” when I came to Catalyst, and what I gained was perspective. I changed the way I approached my work, and focused on strengthening important relationships in my personal life. I learned to be patient with myself, and to notice when I was holding myself back. Most of all, I learned that if I wanted change… Read more »

Allison Fong – Seward, AK Region Manager, Strategic Planning – Providence Health & Services Alaska President Elect, YWCA Alaska I had my first big leadership role in my career – a thrilling accomplishment – and three years in, I started to wonder how to take the next leap, how I could stretch myself to be better and more effective. I knew people that had “it,” but I didn’t have a map to get there, and I wasn’t really sure what “it” was. My life was a series of road trips – traveling for work, getting out on Alaskan adventures – it felt like I was always on the go with no time to feel grounded. Catalyst compelled me to STOP and take stock of the things in my life that… Read more »

For the next few weeks Foraker will be highlighting Catalyst for Nonprofit Excellence graduates – nonprofit leaders from around the state who are working together to strengthen our communities. These are their “Catalyst” stories. For more information about the program click here – the deadline to apply is July 15. Stephanie Berglund – Anchorage, AK CEO, thread Alaska Association for the Education of Young Children board member As I read over the Catalyst program material, one benefit stuck out: “experience more work life balance.” I had been internally promoted from the COO to the CEO of thread, and I had a lot of people vying for my time. As someone who is driven to do good work, it was hard for me to find enough time for work without feeling like… Read more »

The Council has issued the following advice to organizations that face increased costs from the FLSA Overtime Final Rule. How is a nonprofit going to maintain the same level of services to the public pursuant to government grants and contracts when its costs are likely to go up when it implements the Overtime Final Rule but its reimbursement rate is not? The Labor Department, in its materials explaining the change in employment rules, seemed to acknowledge the challenge for “organizations for which some or a significant amount of funding comes from government or private grants of set amounts.” The Labor Department has offered assurances that future grants and contracts from that federal agency will adjust reimbursement rates to recognize the new overtime requirements. It was also revealed at a congressional hearing… Read more »

  For the next few weeks Foraker will be highlighting Catalyst for Nonprofit Excellence graduates – nonprofit leaders from around the state who are working together to strengthen our communities. These are their “Catalyst” stories. For more information about the program click here – the deadline to apply is July 15.   Cameron Wohlford – Fairbanks, AK Senior Project Manager, UAF Facilities Services For most of my adult life, I have been in service to my community, to the University of Alaska, and, of course, to my family. At the University my mentor Pat Pitney saw more potential than I was demonstrating. Perhaps my focus was too wide – being a father of three, the chief and CEO of a local fire department, and a full-time employee at UAF. When Pat… Read more »

There are productive conversations occurring in our state and our sector about the economy and its impact on organizations – and there are other conversations that aren’t so productive. I have been pleased with the approach of many of our nonprofit leaders to their budgets and to figuring out ways to find stability and resiliency in the face of uncertainty. I have seen new thinking, creative ideas, and a recommitment to the best practices of our work in building operating reserves, focusing on unrestricted cash, and diversifying revenue. Unfortunately, while many in our sector are setting a great example, there are still too many conversations about how our sector is wasteful and not accountable or transparent enough in the way we spend our resources. I hear and read most of… Read more »

For the next six weeks Foraker will be highlighting Catalyst for Nonprofit Excellence graduates – nonprofit leaders from around the state who are working together to strengthen our communities. These are their “Catalyst” stories. For more information about the program click here – the deadline to apply is July 15. The first story is from a nonprofit leader who hails from Nome: Mary David – Nome, AK Executive Vice President, Kawerak, Inc. As I near 50, it’s important for me to think about the legacy that I’d like to leave behind. What has been instilled in me is to think about the generations to come and the importance of protecting our environment so that we can enjoy it long into the future. Taking Catalyst – I was reminded of the vision I… Read more »

As has been expected, the U.S. Department of Labor issued its Overtime Final Rule yesterday. This new rule will go into effect on December 1, 2016, and will become part of DOL regulations. It will have an impact on many Alaska nonprofits. The National Council of Nonprofits, a Foraker national partner, has just launched a new page on its website that includes all the latest information on the rule and how it will apply to the nonprofit sector. We encourage you to click here and review the National Council’s summary. It should help you better understand how the rule could affect you. The National Council will update the page whenever new information becomes available, so we encourage you to check it frequently. Please note the section on Does this Regulation… Read more »

Foraker is experiencing technical difficulties.  Our phone lines are down – if you need immediate assistance please call Andrew at (907) 440-8519. Foraker staff  are still available via email, for general inquiries you may email info@forakergroup.org. We expect to have the issue fixed by Monday, May 16.    … Read more »

Our friend Kit Gillem, Program Director for the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, is retiring this spring. Over the years Kit  has elevated the work we do at Foraker in many ways. His thoughtfulness, critical eye, and big picture thinking has changed the way many organizations across the state do their work – and we’re all better for it. We thank you, Kit, for your friendship over the years…. Read more »