The Foraker Group

Washington DC — Greetings from our nation ‘s capital. Once a year we visit our delegation to update them on our sector. We also provide the same information we provide our Partners on the trends we see emerging in the sector and in Alaska. I met with a key staffer at Congressman Young’s office and almost the entire staff at Senator Begich’s office. (Unfortunately Senator Murkowski’s staff was “too busy” this trip.) All that we’re able to meet were appreciative and encouraged by our continued communication. But it was from my second meeting this trip that I had today’s smidgen of insight. I serve on a committee of the Independent Sector; a national association of nonprofits and foundations. The committee’s purpose is to recommend how Independent Sector can facilitate high… Read more »

Any savvy Alaska Airlines traveler knows where I am today, over Mount Rainier. I am on the way to the East Coast. This is the time of year Foraker visits our nation’s capital to meet with our delegation’s staffs and discuss what is new in the nonprofit sector. This trip we’ll discuss the new reality about capital campaigns and how so many organizations have called to discuss potential strategic alliances. We will also report on the increasing number of nonprofits in Alaska that are experiencing funding issues. And how almost every nonprofit we are with nowadays is concerned about recruiting and keeping the right directors on the board. For all those familiar with the trends we predicted eighteen months ago, these issues should sound familiar. The smidgen of insight today… Read more »

International news proclaimed the winter of 2011/2012 as “Snowpocalypse” in Cordova, Alaska, a historic community on the Gulf of Alaska. Over 30 feet of snow fell on this fishing town, home of the fleet that harvests the famous Copper River Red salmon. When I viewed the avalanche destruction on my trip to Cordova last week, it reminded me of a recent article in our newsletter on “Board Bullies.”? That natural destruction, similar to the remnants of board bullies, could have been prevented or at least minimized with prevention. So that’s today’s snippet of information. Like excessive snow piling up over the winter, board behavior that involves threats, manipulation, or psychological warfare used to control others and get one’s way, if not addressed, can result in massive destruction for any organization…. Read more »

The focus of this blog is twofold. First, to serve as a travel log of all the great places I visit and the people I meet along the way. The second is to provide insight I get from these contacts. My last blog was from the North Slope of Alaska – Point Hope – where spring was arriving along with the humpback whales. I returned to home base Anchorage on April 7th for a short visit with my saintly wife who lets me do this job and an even shorter visit with my hard working staff on Monday the 9th before leaving again for Seattle the 10th of April. There I spent time with staff at the Paul G. Allen Foundation providing an update on Alaska’s nonprofits before leaving the… Read more »

Spring has arrived in Point Hope! While it’s still 10 below outside, a little of the Bering Sea is opening and the first Bowhead Whales have arrived. The people in Point Hope are busy preparing for their spring whaling season. While Alaskans in the Southeast may have the first signs of green popping out and those in South Central may have the slush of breakup to content with, the people on the North Slope are experiencing the excitement of their spring based on thousands of years of surviving in the arctic. The Foraker Group is dedicated to serve all of Alaska. We have now provided support, on the ground in almost 150 communities, each with their unique culture and tradition. Since more and more Alaskan communities are embracing the technologies… Read more »

As of this morning, 19,621 Alaskans have made 31,532 pledges through Pick. Click. Give. for a total of $1,809,850. That compares to a total of $1,301,225 on March 14 last year — and surpasses the $1,570,900 total raised in all of 2011. Thanks to everyone who is using Pick. Click. Give. to support their favorite causes…. Read more »

As of this morning, 18,339 Alaskans have made 29,339 pledges through Pick. Click. Give. for a total of $1,672,125. That compares to a total of $1,209,350 on March 5 last year — and surpasses the $1,570,900 total raised in all of 2011. Thanks to everyone who is using Pick. Click. Give. to support their favorite causes…. Read more »

As of this morning, 17,496 Alaskans have made 27,988 pledges through Pick. Click. Give. for a total of $1,589,450. That compares to a total of $1,166,275 on February 27 last year — and surpasses the $1,570,900 total raised in all of 2011. Thanks to everyone who is using Pick. Click. Give. to support their favorite causes…. Read more »

The application period is now open for organizations applying to be part of Pick.Click.Give. 2013. If you have questions about applying or need help with the online application, The Foraker Group is offering classes to help you. Click here to learn more and to register. Classes will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 22, and Monday, Mar. 5. The new online application offers a feature that should save you time and effort. For organizations that were part of the program in the past, many of the documents required in the application are already loaded into the application. For organizations new to the program, the documents will be stored for future applications. Organizations are encouraged to verify all the existing information and change any that is not correct. The application information is… Read more »

As of this morning, 16,774 Alaskans have made 26,846 pledges through Pick. Click. Give. for a total of $1,512,400. That compares to a total of $1,117,900 on February 21 last year. Thanks to everyone who is using Pick. Click. Give. to support their favorite causes…. Read more »