The Foraker Group

Despite signs the economy is improving, nonprofits that rely on state money should brace for at least two more years of tough times, a new report warns. Read more-… Read more »

Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) is a part of a much larger movement that is nearing the end of its first century of existence, according to ACF president Candace Winkler. As we compare ourselves with older community foundations across the nation, we realize the magnitude of the work we are doing – and the work that’s ahead of us. Established 16 years ago, the Alaska Community Foundation works to grow philanthropy and build community in an effort to improve the quality of life here, now and forever. In our large state, that can be a daunting task. Read more-… Read more »

What’s up with air travel? Every seat on every flight is full and there is always a long standby list. Today was no different. I was in Seattle to work with one of our long-term consultants, Suzanne Lagoni. We’re completing the last draft of our sustainability book so it can go to press in 2012. We can’t wait! This was almost my last flight of 2011. I only have a trip to Kenai, one to Juneau and one to Fairbanks for work this year – after Christmas we’ll fly south to see my parents. This year I will fly over 130,000 miles, most in Alaska and work related. This travel is in sync with a primary Foraker goal – to truly serve our whole state and not be viewed as… Read more »

Foraker has been publishing surveys to support human resources within Alaska nonprofits since 2002. This year brings more improvements for our Partners: Efficiencies from automating in 2010 make it possible to repeat the full survey in 2012 – salary and benefits – rather than doing a salary-only version as we’ve done in the past. We’re also moving up the publication date significantly to best support our Partners that operate on a July-to-June fiscal year. Survey participation will run November to mid-December. Pricing on the survey is the same as 2010 and greatly below other market surveys: $75.00 – Foraker Partners that participate in the survey $150.00 – Foraker Partners that do not participate $250.00 – Other nonprofit organizations that participate in the survey $300.00 – Other nonprofit organizations that do… Read more »

This week, Chicago and the Independent Sector’s conference entitled R-Evolutionary This topic will sound familiar to anyone who regularly reads our newsletter or this blog. The world is in a massive state of change led by technology and human nature’s adaptation to that change. The smidgen of insight this time is that when we have expressed our understanding of these pending changes, we have tried our best to not sound alarmist, nor too far out, so you could hear the message. What I learned this trip is that messengers far smarter and more articulate than I report the same frustration when they express their understanding of this new reality. We heard again that the new world will be less hierarchical, more networked, and institutions with the ability to quickly adapt… Read more »

The Foraker Group is actively working with the National Council of Nonprofits to save the charitable giving incentive, which is at risk as part of the budget negotiations going on right now in Washington D.C. Federal tax law currently provides an itemized deduction to encourage individuals to give to charitable organizations whose missions they support. The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the Super Committee) is looking for ways to reduce the federal budget deficit through spending cuts, entitlement reforms, and changes to the tax code. Politicians from across the political spectrum have put forward plans to address these issues, and most propose changing the charitable deduction in one way or another. Yet no one knows the true impact that any of these proposals will have on the ability of… Read more »

Today I am in Kansas City, MO at the Midwestern Youth Summit sponsored by the US Department of Education. It is designed to hear the voices of youth throughout the country on what is needed to improve education in America. The summit is held in partnership with the National Leadership Conference for Camp Fire USA, where I am proud to serve as a trustee on the national board. The youth at the summit developed nine action plans to enhance the experience of high school students and encourage them to finish school and attend college. The Kaufman Foundation and Sprint Foundation were the lead sponsors for the event, which was attended by over 150 youth from the surrounding area. The smidgen of insight today is that while many organizations work with… Read more »

You’ll never guess where I am tonight – the Philippines! Well sorta. Tonight was the 31st year of Maharlika, a celebration of the Filipino community in Anchorage. Money is raised to support scholarships and other worthy causes. The sell out crowd was dazzled by great music and dancing that rivaled Vegas! And WOW, everyone was decked out in their finest. Foraker’s own Malu Antonio from Shared Financial Services was not only involved in planning and implementing this event, she and her family and friends entertained us with their great dance moves. Tonight’s smidgen of insight is that we live in a state full of opportunity to experience culture from around the world. Let’s celebrate this diversity while we acknowledge our common humanity through such exposure. Dennis… Read more »

Organizations participating in the 2012 Pick.Click.Give. campaign can take advantage of free training sessions scheduled between now and early next year. One group of classes will help you get started. Click here to learn more about those and to register. The other sessions will provide current information on the process of the campaign and how you can better promote your involvement with it. Click here to learn more about those and to register. All classes will be held via teleconference or webinars. Come prepared with your questions. We also encourage you to share your challenges and successes as the campaign progresses…. Read more »

NOTICE: There was an error in the calculation of this year’s Permanent Fund Dividend charitable contributions. The Department of Revenue says this will affect Pick.Click.Give. totals by less than $100,000. Details are available in this press release…. Read more »