The Foraker Group

Volunteers who do work for charitable organizations and incur unreimbursed expenses may now be allowed to claim those as deductions on their tax returns, thanks to a ruling by the U.S. Tax Court and a woman who challenged the Internal Revenue Service. We all know that volunteers spend money out of their own pocket. Let us know if you have a story to share. Read more-… Read more »

Unlike other tax incentives-for buying a home, installing energy-efficient windows, or buying a fuel-efficient car-the charitable deduction is unique in that it rewards behavior that, by definition, provides no direct benefit to the individual. Whatever options are on the table for tax reform, the tax code should continue to encourage the selfless act of giving to charity. In an ideal world, changes would both increase charitable giving and save the government money. A new study from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), examines 11 ways that changes in the tax code could impact individual charitable giving and evaluates what each would mean for federal tax revenue. Read more-… Read more »

The Foraker Group is accepting applications for the next round of classes for the Certificate in Nonprofit Management program through Friday, June 30. This innovative program is offered by The Foraker Group in partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The program is designed for Alaska nonprofit professionals in leadership positions who want to enhance their management skills and explore a full range of issues and best practices to use in their organizations. Click here for information on course offerings, schedules, fees, and an application form. Classes begin on September 12 and run through December 8. You will attend 14 days of classes during that time…. Read more »

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is inviting public comment on issues and frequently asked questions regarding Form 990. Issues for comment include a consideration to eliminate a section asking to report activity codes, reporting compensation to management companies and leasing companies owned by an organization’s leadership, and thresholds for reporting compensation to key employees. Please share with our readers your concerns. Read more-… Read more »

Today I’m in Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport on the way to the Camp Fire USA national board meeting in Kansas City. This is my last out-of-state travel for a while and I am glad. Like most Alaskans, I do not like to be out of the state during the summer. At least this week it has been cloudy and rainy at home, so I’m not missing too many of those rare sunny, warm days this summer. Even when I’m on the road I’m in touch with the office. This year one of our great board members, John Mingé, was joined by Diane Kaplan to head our corporate foundation fundraising effort that we call the Vision Circle Partners Campaign. This support is critical for us because it equalizes costs for nonprofits… Read more »

On June 8, 2011, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a list of more than 275,000 nonprofits that had their tax-exempt status automatically revoked due to failure to file annual returns. Approximately 900 of these are in Alaska. Click here to view the list of Alaska organizations. Foraker has been tracking this issue for almost a year and we have issued several notices about it. As part of our membership in the National Council of Nonprofits, we can offer detailed information on these revocations and steps organizations can take if they have had their status revoked. Click here to learn more. If you have questions, please call our Partner Relations Coordinator Andrew Cutting at 907-743-1221, or send him an email at acutting@forakergroup.org…. Read more »

Today I’m at the graduation of the Catalyst for Excellence program – a leadership enhancement program sponsored by BP Alaska. A leadership development organization, Context International and Foraker partnered in identifying the right, diverse group of sector leaders to take part in it. Today 24 very happy leaders shared their story with friends and the sponsors. Each person recounted their personal and their sector goals, envisioned as a result of their participation in this program. A truly joyous event. The smidgen of insight is that any program offered at Foraker may be extremely beneficial to some, but that no experience is good for all. At Foraker we may need to work even more to communicate what kind of people respond well to an experience and what experience could be better… Read more »

A digital gallery in Second Life allows people across the globe a chance to interact with works they might not otherwise have a chance to see. Read more-… Read more »

The Internal Revenue Service said yesterday that 275,000 nonprofits have lost their tax-exempt status because they did not file legally required documents for three consecutive years. That move trims the number of tax-exempt groups by about 14 percent. Of those 275,000, Alaska accounts for 900. Many of the groups that lost their exemptions are nonprofits, and donors to those organizations cannot claim a charitable deduction for gifts to the groups after the IRS makes the list official. Many of the organizations are believed to be defunct, the IRS said, but groups that are still operating may now apply to get their nonprofit status back. View here-… Read more »

Sustainable nonprofits practice sound financial principles. The challenge comes in establishing systems and, for some nonprofits, managing them. Foraker’s Shared Financial Services may be the right answer for your organization and openings are available for new clients. Click here to learn more and to complete a questionnaire if you are interested in this service. We also offer “al a carte” consulting. Staff can help you make best use of QuickBooks, review your accounting procedures for efficiencies, prepare for an audit, in addition to other financial services. Contact Raju Shankar at 907-743-1247, or email rshankar@forakergroup.org to learn more. These services are available only to Foraker Partners. For information on partnership, please contact Andrew Cutting at 907-743-1221, or email acutting@forakergroup.org…. Read more »