The Foraker Group

I took a brief sabbatical from the blog because my travels during the summer were more personal, so I had fewer work related insights. But now that fall is here, the normal hectic pace at Foraker is on steroids and we are all booked solid through the year. We are not complaining, just stating the fact that we are busy. A lot of this work is predictable, but it seems we are doing much more than last year at this time. Yesterday and today I was in Kodiak. A beautiful place in the rain or shine and this trip we had both. Yesterday was with one of my favorite boards, the Senior Citizens of Kodiak. They are smart, engaged, and partnering as they should with their ED. They are a… Read more »

Alaskans who filed for the 2011 Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) between January 1 and March 31 have seven more days to make Pick. Click. Give. charitable contributions. The PFD Division homepage will accept new contributions to over 400 nonprofit causes through August 31. “The regular PFD filing season saw nearly 20,000 Alaskans pledging over $1.5 million,” said Jordan Marshall, special projects manager with Rasmuson Foundation. “These generous, optional gifts support important causes across the entire state and improve our quality of life. “If you gave through Pick. Click. Give., thank you!” said Marshall. “If, however, you forgot or ran out of time or you simply want to make a safe and secure charitable contribution today, you can.” The PFD Division homepage – www.pfd.state.ak.us – prominently features an “Add or Change… Read more »

Recognize the community champions that support your mission and our community! The Alaska Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon is Friday, November 18, 2011 at the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center. We are now accepting nominations in the following categories: Outstanding Business, Corporation, Foundation in Philanthropy Outstanding Small Business in Philanthropy Outstanding Philanthropist Outstanding Volunteer in Philanthropy Outstanding Youth (or Youth Group) in Philanthropy Outstanding Professional in Philanthropy Eugene R. Wilson Award The AFP Alaska Chapter annual awards program recognizes outstanding achievements by individuals, foundations and corporate philanthropists, fundraising volunteers and professional fundraisers. These awards are given in recognition to those individuals and organizations whose lifetime or long-term achievements have made a significant impact upon society. For more information, awards criteria, and nomination forms, visit http://afpalaska.afpnet.org/Home.aspx and look at What’s New. Nominations… Read more »

Alaskans can add or change their donations through the 2011 Pick.Click.Give. program until August 31. Even though the deadline for filing for a Permanent Fund Dividend has passed, the state provides additional time for those who have filed to donate to participating nonprofits. Instructions are available on the Pick.Click.Give. website…. Read more »

Today is Sunday, July 31st. I am sitting on the front porch of a cabin at Camp Denali. The family that owns this paradise has “adopted” us. So occasionally we get a deal we cannot refuse to visit this great place. We come to be inside the Park and luxuriate in Alaska’s magnificence. After we woke this morning and had a delicious gourmet breakfast, we hiked to Wonder Lake where we paddled around a while. I found my knees were not as durable as they were 45 years ago when I spent summers working at camps. I survived but was a bit sore this time. The mountain isn’t out today. Too bad, because from this porch on the right day we could be front and center to the view what… Read more »

Dennis McMillian, Foraker’s president and CEO, has been traveling around the state presenting the results of a study conducted in 2007 and updated in 2010 by the University of Alaska’s Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) on the economic impact of the nonprofit sector in Alaska. During his presentation in Juneau, the Juneau Empire did not adequately source the material McMillian was quoting. That story was also picked up by the Anchorage Daily News. Alaskans who read those stories may be asking themselves where McMillian got the information. The executive summary from the ISER study is posted on Foraker’s website and provides that information. Some of McMillian’s quotes were taken out of context. He was asked why Alaskans did not give more money to nonprofits and he suggested that… Read more »

On August 19, Denali area nonprofits will come together to discuss the challenges of operating nonprofit and volunteer-led organizations. This session will be facilitated by Dennis McMillian, President and CEO of The Foraker Group. The session will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the Murie Science and Learning Center. Dennis is an excellent resource and his organization specializes in helping nonprofits succeed and operate efficiently and safely in Alaska. Mayor Talerico has agreed to attend and will discuss the Borough’s support for nonprofit organizations. The Chamber of Commerce, Alaska Geographic, and the Borough Office will all be helping to make this event happen. Nonprofits are vital assets in Denali Borough communities. They provide fire and ambulance service, childcare, and healthy recreation opportunities. They support our public lands and… Read more »

I just left Washington DC. It was a quick trip for a few meetings. The temperature was nearing 100 degrees so thinking about getting back to our cool summer is exciting. Another reason to be thankful for the trip home is that everyone in DC was more anxious than I have ever seen in my many visits. The mood is tense and people appear very worried about the country’s future. Everyone I met with was from the nonprofit sector. Each person seemed resigned that the best-case scenario will inevitably create an uncertain future for those many nonprofits that depend significantly on federal support. Once reliable funding from Uncle Sam (and Ted) may be less dependable after a solution for the deficit is found. The smidgen of insight from this trip… Read more »

It’s been a few weeks since I checked in on the blog. It’s summer and even at Foraker we slow down a little this time of year – at least we slow down in facilitations and trainings. It seems no one wants to meet when the fish are running and the trails are snow free. While we are doing less external work, this is the time of year we do our internal cleanup. I wonder what others experience when it comes to updating all of their internal records? Maintaining policies and resolutions, updating bylaws, cleaning up files can seem like menial work. Still, for all of us, keeping basic information current and accessible is crucial to our sustainability. Most important it assures us that if anyone wanted information, we know… Read more »

On August 19, Denali area nonprofits will come together to discuss the challenges of operating nonprofit and volunteer-led organizations. This session will be facilitated by Dennis McMillian, President and CEO of The Foraker Group. The time and location will be announced shortly. Dennis is an excellent resource and his organization specializes in helping nonprofits succeed and operate efficiently and safely in Alaska. Mayor Talerico has agreed to attend and will discuss the Borough’s support for nonprofit organizations. The Chamber of Commerce, Alaska Geographic, and the Borough Office will all be helping to make this event happen. Nonprofits are vital assets in Denali Borough communities. They provide fire and ambulance service, childcare, and healthy recreation opportunities. They support our public lands and our neighbors in need. Denali nonprofits, like others in… Read more »