The Foraker Group

The best way to engage clients, partners, donors and volunteers in the critical work of the nonprofit sector is to communicate our stories in a way that lets them know they can make a difference in their community. And yet, telling our stories so they connect people with our mission can be a challenge. That’s why we’re devoting the next Foraker Leadership Summit to “Telling Our Stories — As Leaders, As Organizations, and As A Sector.” Join us on April 22-23, 2013, at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage for a great opportunity to hear from the experts. Click here to learn more and to register…. Read more »

Nonprofit Finance Fund is conducting its fifth annual nationwide survey examining the current state of the nonprofit sector and is looking for Alaska participation. The survey, which is anonymous and takes only 10 minutes to fill out, collects data on important financial and management issues facing the nonprofit sector. To take the 2013 survey, please click on this link before February 15. Also, please do pass on the link to other nonprofit managers you know—the more survey respondents, the more representative and accurate the findings will be. NFF will analyze the results and provide them to all of us—nonprofits, government, foundations, lending institutions, media, and umbrella organizations—in late March. Also, all survey respondents who choose to give their contact information will receive the results directly. The findings, and the comparison… Read more »

For sure, predicting the future is a risky business. Still, during the past year I wrote a number of articles to predict what could be on the horizon. Only time will tell if the trends we suggest – like the funding crisis, crash of the herd, or structural changes – are real or not. Or if the hopeful visions about the impact of technology or the new insights into human behavior described in last month’s newsletter actually revolutionize how we solve problems. But today I will be more concrete and provide a more predictable future for 2013. Unlike our prior “guesses,” you should be able to bank on these. Click here to read more…. Read more »

We have received many requests from our Partners and the community to learn more about Foraker services, our sustainability model, and issues related to starting a new nonprofit. With that in mind, we will launch three new classes after the first of the year. Each is one hour and free to the public. We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities and pass along this information to others who may be interested. Check the descriptions below and click on our class calendar for information on date and time, and to register. Foraker Partnership: What it can mean for your organization Becoming a Partner in The Foraker Group brings your organization much more than discounts on our classes and services — although those are certainly an important benefit. In this… Read more »

To help organizations participating in the 2013 Pick.Click.Give. campaign, we’re offering a series of training sessions designed to enhance their involvement. The next communications class will focus on strategies for media and public relations. Kathy Day of KD/PR Virtual will be available via webinar to share tips and answer questions. The session will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 3:30 pm. Click here to register. There is no charge for this class for PCG participants…. Read more »

One of the first, and probably most popular programs we offer is the Foraker Certificate in Nonprofit Management. The certificate, which carries Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is designed for nonprofit leaders who want to learn how to better manage their organizations. An added benefit is becoming part of a growing, statewide network of more than 240 certificate grads who support one another and share their experiences and perspectives on their work. On November 30, participants in the 13th cohort finished their classes and gathered for a graduation photo. Members of the class included Angela Rush, Bradley Brisson, Cathy McCarthy, Charlie Loeb, Cynthia Lind, David Mitchell, Diane Maples, Jeff Baird, Jessica Speed, Kelvin Lee, Kim Champney, Kristine Campbell, Lynette Ortolano, Nastasia Levi, Rachel Greenberg, Rachel… Read more »

I recently returned from the Independent Sector’s annual conference. The message Foraker has communicated about the eventual changes to expect in our sector was reinforced by many of the presenters at the conference. All agree that this is not a time for complacency. The old notion, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” will inevitably be the downfall of all that adhere to keeping things the way they were. The world we live in is forever changed. For some this is a somber, even pessimistic message. For others it’s a message of hope. What I learned at the conference may provide a clearer understanding of why these changes are not to be feared. Actually, many are exciting. As we describe in the Foraker Nonprofit Sustainability Model©, nonprofits must stay true… Read more »

The Pre-Development Program has just completed its first performing arts project and learned a lot about theater—and construction costs in the Valley—in the process. Valley Performing Arts has been presenting live theatre in the Mat-Su Valley for over 37 years. Performances were first held in the log Colony Church at the state fairgrounds and the audience was limited to 64. In 1996, VPA moved that converted pole barn and connected it to an auto repair shop in Wasilla, thus increasing the number of patrons who could attend each performance to 172. But the need for an even larger venue was documented by routinely sold-out performances and the growing number of season ticket holders. Support space for the performers and productions was also inadequate. Pre-D’s first task was to establish the… Read more »

This past summer a number of Foraker Partners participated in focus groups, which we conduct periodically. Along with our Partner surveys and one-on-one conversations, they help us gain a better understanding of ways we can better serve you and the sector. We appreciate the time people took to join a focus group and for the candid discussions they had with us and other Foraker Partners. We promised to share the results after they were reviewed by the Foraker boards, staff, and participants. Click here to read the report on our findings…. Read more »

It has come to our attention that The Foraker Group is advocating nonprofit mergers (after all, Alaska is like a small town and people talk). We understand how people may have that impression. We have been saying that the nonprofit sector in Alaska and around the country may not be sustainable in its current form. Many nonprofit leaders have predicted an inevitable shift in how our sector does business. And today, there are many indicators that change has begun. Read more here…. Read more »