The Foraker Group

In less than one month, new rules go into effect that benefit nonprofits in their relationships with local, state, and federal governments. The Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Guidance, published at the end of last year, mandates that governments at all levels must reimburse nonprofits for some or all of their indirect costs (sometimes called administrative or overhead costs) for work performed under a wide variety of contracts and grants when federal grant money is involved. For the past year, federal agencies have been revising their regulations in order to ensure consistency with the new federal reforms. OMB is expected to release Interim Final regulations from most federal agencies that will take effect by December 26, and all governments at all levels will be obligated to follow the new… Read more »

We encourage you to take a look at this message on advocacy from Foraker Vice President Mike Walsh. It appeared in our last newsletter. A recent article from David Thompson, Vice President for Public Policy at the National Council of Nonprofits, asked an important question: “Who has time for advocacy?” His answer was clear – nonprofits in Alaska don’t have the time NOT TO ENGAGE in public policy advocacy. Most of us in the nonprofit sector have heard about the link between active advocacy and meeting mission, and I have a simple formula: More Advocacy = More Mission. At The Foraker Group we have been changing the way we think, talk, and act about nonprofit advocacy. We are working to be better advocates for our mission to strengthen nonprofits, and… Read more »

We are pleased that Meg Wheatley, an internationally acclaimed writer and speaker, will return to Anchorage for our 2015 Leadership Summit. Meg was extremely popular at our 2010 summit when she worked with us to better understand how to create healthy communities. Since then, she has released her newest book, So Far From Home: Lost and Found in Our Brave New World, which is described as “a startlingly honest, profoundly reflective, and yet paradoxically down-to-earth book rooted in the day-to-day experiences we all share but seen with fresh eyes. It is both affirming and provoking, calling us to reexamine our expectations and redefine our role for the work ahead.“ Also confirmed is Richard Evans, CEO of EMCArts, who will explore ways to restructure organizations for innovation. Meg and Richard are… Read more »

Members of the 2014 cohort have successfully completed 14 days of classes and received their certificates from Foraker and from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. It was our pleasure to have you in the program this year. Welcome to the growing network of other grads. We hope you will stay in touch with each other, and with us. Congratulations…. Read more »

Since Foraker’s beginning we have been dedicated to the concept of shared services — or what is more commonly called “backroom services” — to support the sector. The rational for these services is simple — we are better when we work together. Foraker has proven this time and again in our many offerings of shared services including Financial Shared Services, our Pre-Development program, and our website design services, to name just a few. We are pleased to announce the latest addition to our suite of shared services — human resources. Expanding on our already popular HR activities, which includes one-on-one work with organizations and our educational offerings, we have developed a program to truly fit the needs of the sector. Our work throughout Alaska is proof that this service is… Read more »

Do you want some tips for promoting your involvement in Pick.Click.Give. and for recognizing your donors? We have a series of classes that will help you do just that. Click here for the schedule and description of each session. Sign up now for any or all the classes. They’re free — but you do need to register. If you have questions regarding registration call 907-743-1200, or email to kogin@forakergroup.org…. Read more »

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Council on Financial Assistance Reform (COFAR) released new regulations scheduled to take effect on December 26, 2014 that will have a significant impact on nonprofits. While the results promise to be positive for nonprofits, the regulations will require changes in the way grants and contracts are managed when federal grant funds are involved. Please click here for review from the Council on the new regulations…. Read more »

The Science of Philanthropy Initiative will hold its second annual conference next week, Nov. 7 and 8, in Chicago. The meeting will feature the results of research addressing social preferences and charitable giving. The conference will be webcast live from the University of Chicago. If you are interested in joining any part of the webcast, which is free, just go to the conference website at the time of the event you wish to view. You can see a schedule of presentations at that same link. The online webcast will be hosted using Adobe Connect software through your web browser. If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before, please test your connection here. Can’t attend the live webcast? Conference sponsors will post the videos and slides from the talks… Read more »

Hello, nonprofit narrative leaders! It was, once again, an absolute delight to work with you in Anchorage last week. I hope that since the workshop, you were able to recognize and share stories with a newfound enthusiasm (not to mention skills). Have you asked, “Tell me about a time-?” Please click here if you would like a one-page sheet reviewing How to Find, Develop, and Share Stories. And don’t forget your homework! You had two assignments: 1. Try to share the story you shared at the workshop, of a time that you saw the impact of your work, in 90 seconds, and then in 60 seconds. Strip it down to its bones. What is necessary? What can be left out? What do you learn by this exercise? 2. Share a… Read more »

Periodically I review the Letters from the CEO archive to make sure that I don’t repeat myself (too much), and to monitor how many months in a row I’ve written one of these articles. We have published the newsletter since 2004 and it became a monthly service in 2006. In July we marked the 100th publication! In our October newsletter, I shared my thoughts on what it’s been like to develop these monthly messages. I hope you have found them helpful and that you’ll share your thoughts with me. Click here for the article. –Dennis… Read more »