The Foraker Group

To add as much value as possible to an organization, board members should invest time in training, especially in the area of fund development. Many people who serve on boards report little comfort in this area. Good training emphasizes that each board member brings his or her own strengths to the process and each has a role to play. Creating the infrastructure to build relationships takes time, talent and resources from both board and staff. Nonprofits embarking on this path will want to create a maturation process for donors, encouraging them to increasingly invest in a relationship based on their interests and the organization’s focus. Nonprofits can create opportunities for connecting with donors in significant ways, which can become progressively more individualized and involved over time. Here are some examples:… Read more »

We recently received a gracious note from Josselyn O’Connor, development director at the Kenai Watershed Forum, on the way her organization has integrated Focus on Sustainability into their board meetings. “After reading your book, I knew it would be a great tool as we move forward. I have purchased a copy of Focus on Sustainability for each board member and key staff. We have dedicated time at the next several board meetings to discuss one chapter at a time and work our way through the book. Each board member will take a turn leading the discussion. As we prepare to tackle the task of developing our next 5-year strategic/action plan later this year, I’m confident the insight gained from working through your book as a group will be tremendously beneficial… Read more »

Tyler Mahoney is a former intern at The Foraker Group and currently blogs on The Huffington Post. He offers these thoughts on youth, philanthropy and what inspires Gen Y to give. ——– Before we move into young people and philanthropy I want to take a minute to help you understand the mindset of a young change maker. In a time where young people fill their lives with passions and illusions, I assert that the nonprofit organization provides a real grounded tool for the forming and shaping of society at a time when current world events are quickly entering text books faster than ever before. Our parents were transfixed by Atlas Shrugged, Reaganism, and evolution of the American dream – from entering the middle class to seeing if they can get… Read more »

Applications for two of our more popular education offerings — the Certificate in Nonprofit Management and the Catalyst for Nonprofit Excellence — will be available soon. The Certificate program is held in partnership with the University of Alaska. It’s a non-degree program offering 10.4 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s). The program is designed for Alaska nonprofit professionals in leadership positions who want to enhance their management skills and explore a full range of issues and best practices to use in their organizations. Members of the statewide Certificate cohort will meet for 14 days throughout the fall in Anchorage. You’ll find more information here. The Catalyst program is a unique, dynamic program where you experience your own personal renewal. It is not your typical training or workshop. It’s not your typical anything…. Read more »

Compass Point Events is offering a reduced rate for our Partners for a workshop called Transformational Change: Disney Style. According to its sponsors, Transformational Change is a process, not just another seminar program. It provides participants the opportunity to examine, create and build their plan for strategic organizational change based on research findings from the Harvard Business School that was adapted, implemented and proven successful with positive business results by a world-class business leader, The Walt Disney Company. The seminar takes place May 7-9 in Orange, CA, near the Disneyland Resort. Click here for details and information on possible support from the Alaska Community Foundation. If you have questions, please contact Compass Point Events directly…. Read more »

We received this post today from the National Council of Nonprofits with three excellent tips on how to make your annual audit process easier and more productive. Take a look and see if the tips will help you get prepared with less stress. Also note at the end of the Council’s article that the State of the Sector survey is closing soon. If you haven’t done so, please participate in this important process to help us better understand our sector. Click here to read our earlier post on the survey…. Read more »

Board members have responsibility to financially support organization A charitable giving strategy clearly increased the board’s own responsibility. Board members can only ask others to give to their organization when they have made their own gift. It’s important that organizations that ask boards to give first adopt a policy of 100 percent board giving in an amount that is meaningful and significant to each member. I don’t recommend setting an amount for each board member to give. When boards have a specific dollar expectation, such as “give or get $2,000,” fear exists that individuals without means or influence won’t be able to serve on boards. Some may think such a requirement will eliminate potentially good leaders with fewer financial resources. It has been my experience that the board members with… Read more »

In his monthly article for the Foraker newsletter, Dennis explains how his family developed a personal philanthropy plan — and how it’s not hard to do. He asserts that “sharing one’s abundance, giving, is required to be fully human.” Read his letter here…. Read more »

We have a full schedule of classes for you in February and March. Visit our class calendar to see what is available and then register for a class that will fit your needs. GoToMeeting teleconferences and video conferences must be paid in advance of the class. If we don’t have at least seven people registered for a class three working days before it’s to be held, we have to cancel it. If you have questions, you may contact us by email, info@forakergroup.org, or by phone at (907) 743-1200…. Read more »

According to Giving USA, individuals – through both annual contributions and bequests – account for over 80 percent of all charitable giving in the United States. This percentage has had little variation over many decades. Individual giving can become a sustainable income source when approached strategically. An organization needs systems in place to manage donor relationships. It’s also critical that all board members fully participate in fundraising. Relationship-based individual giving done well is a reliable source of revenue. People give money to an organization because they have passion for the mission and they believe the organization is using their gifts to accomplish that mission. Many nonprofits find this process challenging. Raising money from individuals takes time and a commitment to build the right relationships. It is never a good idea… Read more »