The Foraker Group

Why are nonprofit CEOs resigning in record numbers? In their research for Leadership Lost: A Study on Executive Director Tenure and Experience, Timothy Wolfred and Jan Masaoka concluded that board dysfunction or lack of board support are either the “first or second reason” why CEOs are leaving organizations. They contend that four key issues may be at the root of this conflict between boards and their CEOs. The organization’s mission The organization’s values Agreement on how success should be measured Agreement on who should do what – the board or the staff Agreement on these points goes a long way toward developing a harmonious and productive relationship. A sustainable organization will have a competent CEO, along with a skilled board that actively complements, challenges, and supports the CEO. The board… Read more »

We’ve been pleased with the number of people who find Focus on Sustainability: A Nonprofit’s Journey helpful for their organizations. Recently, Patty Ginsburg shared her thoughts on the book on the Rasmuson blog. You can read her review here. If you want to order a copy, you will find it on Amazon.com. We welcome any comments you want to share with us…. Read more »

Pick.Click.Give. is shooting a video in Anchorage next week featuring real Alaskans. By real, we mean we are not using actors. The only qualifications are that you must love Alaska and be available to talk briefly about that in Anchorage (location TBD) on 10/25, 10/26, or 10/27. If you’re willing to be part of this project, please email a picture (one from your phone will do) and the dates you are available to: castingAK@thedeltree.com. Thanks so much for considering this request. Please feel free to forward this casting call to any Alaskans you think may be interested and available. If you have questions, contact Heather Beaty, Pick.Click.Give. Program Manager, 907-249-6616…. Read more »

What makes a strong nonprofit leader? Good leaders possess many characteristics. A willingness and ability to share power is essential. Too often boards mistake strong, charismatic leaders for competent CEOs. While a CEO may be knowledgeable about the organization, proficient in financial management, a good manager, and a good community leader, that person must also be able to work as a partner with the board and successfully share power to truly be a successful nonprofit leader. Often, boards will acquiesce to a dominate CEO and assume all is well because this strong leaders says so. This is a major mistake, as the United Way of America learned in the early 1990s. Bill Aramony, the organization’s former CEO had at one time been a significant nonprofit leader. He built coalitions. He… Read more »

While most nonprofits are founded by volunteers and can be maintained by volunteers for years, I’ve concluded that eventually, if a nonprofit is to survive the transition away from its founder, the board must hire staff to maintain momentum. The first staff to be hired is typically the CEO, and it is the only staff person the board hires. At The Foraker Group we have witnessed many situations where organizations that have been in business for decades fall apart. One of the common characteristics is the departure of the founder with no professional staff to continue momentum. The founder’s zeal may have masked the nonprofit’s capacity. When determining if an organization’s staff consists of the right people, this question must be asked: Is the organization being supported because of its… Read more »

We just learned that Rasmuson Foundation was one of 10 foundations across the country to win a 2013 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships for its support of the Pre-Development Program. Pre-D is underwritten by Rasmuson, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, Denali Commission, Mat-Su Health Foundation, and the state of Alaska. It is managed by Foraker. The program is based on the principle that capital projects are more likely to succeed if they are well planned and affordable to operate. Read the announcement from Rasmuson here. Learn more about Pre-D here…. Read more »

It’s a pretty good bet that most nonprofit organizations have a board of directors. These volunteers serve as guardians of organizational and community assets. Unfortunately, after analyzing data from 4,000 nonprofit boards across the country in 1996, Barbara Taylor, Richard Chait, and Thomas Holland found that “effective governance by a board of trustees is a relatively rare and unnatural act. Only the most uncommon of nonprofit boards function as it should by harnessing the collective efforts of accomplished individuals to advance the institution’s mission and long-term welfare.” Still Taylor, Chait, and Holland assert that boards are necessary to guide nonprofit performance. “A board’s contribution is meant to be strategic, the joint product of talented people brought together to apply their knowledge and experience to the major challenges facing the institution.”… Read more »

Many of you know Simone Joyaux from the trainings she’s given in Alaska for AFP. We’re pleased she was interested in reading Focus on Sustainability: A Nonprofit’s Journey. And we certainly appreciate her kind comments. Check out her blog, click here…. Read more »

Defining the right people for your organization is more than simply meeting a list of criteria or qualifications. The right people are those who can use the values and culture of the organization to move it in the direction articulated in its plan. The right people aren’t all the same. In fact, the board and staff are likely to make better decisions if a diversity of perspectives exists. Recruiting and retaining the right people ensures that each person believes in and is connected to the purpose and values of the organization, is aligned with them, and has a passion for the mission. That is the glue that holds them together. Since nonprofits require a board, and if sustainable, a staff, then all individuals must agree on what should be done… Read more »

From time-to-time Alaska funders gather to talk with the nonprofit community about potential funding opportunities. The next Funders Forum will take place on Tuesday, October 1, at Juneau Arts and Humanities, 350 Whittier — next to Centennial Hall — from 10:30 to 11:30 am. This forum is a great opportunity to join a number of Alaska’s most significant funders who will present important information on how to access funding for capital projects and capacity building. Participating funders include Rasmuson Foundation, The Alaska Mental Health Trust, The Denali Commission, MatSu Health Foundation, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, HUD, USDA and the State of Alaska. There will be time for you to learn what is most important to each funding source and time will be available to ask questions specific to your project…. Read more »