The Foraker Group

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 »

Several years ago nonprofit associations in the 5-state northwest region – Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington – came together to learn from each other how to better serve you and your organization. We have shared the various strategies we use in each of our states to assist individual nonprofits, along with the sector as a whole, to thrive. We feel our work has been enlightening about the services that are important to your organization. Thank you to those of you who participated in a survey for this project in the past. We’re asking you once again to share your thoughts with us. Your answers to our new survey will give us additional valuable information about the “state of the sector” throughout the Northwest. We are committed to using this… Read more »

Those of you who attended the Foraker Leadership Summit last year know that Thaler Pekar’s workshop was extremely popular. It was high quality, compelling, and packed with useful tips and techniques. For those who weren’t at the summit, this is your chance to participate in an exciting day of learning with one of the country’s experts in story telling. On October 23, Thaler will present new perspectives and material that will further enhance your skills in sharing the stories of your organization’s good work. Thaler’s workshop will be held from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown Hotel. There will be a break for lunch on your own. Click here for more information and to register…. Read more »

Our friends at the Association of Fundraising Professionals remind us that for 50 years now their members have honored and lived by a code of ethical principles and standards — and we believe it is an excellent one. In fact, the AFP code is part of our fundraising training at Foraker. For those of you involved in fundraising, in fact this is good for everyone, please review the standards AFP believes are essential for ethical behavior…. Read more »