Over the last few months, we’ve shared information about the new Federal Minimum Salary Changes for Alaska Employers that was set to take effect on January 1, 2025. However, on November 15, 2024, a federal judge in Texas struck down the U.S. Labor Department’s overtime rule. The decision applies to the higher salary level test that went into effect on July 1 and also blocks the next change set for January 1, 2025. The district judge also invalidated the automatic increases scheduled for every three years. Based on this decision, the Alaska salary threshold for exempt-level positions remains at $48,796.80 per year, or $938.40 per week. We will keep you updated and share additional information as it becomes available…. Read more »

What’s Next? If you are a West Wing fan, you hear that question when the voice of Martin Sheen as President of the United States takes on one big thing after another. And so, that is what we will also do as this election season draws to a conclusion. For some of you, this election was a high point, and for others, a low point — certainly, it brought a response that resonated deeper than a person or a political party. Regardless, I feel certain that not everyone experienced the election the same, nor will we experience the consequences of the decisions made by the American people the same. During the pandemic, it was an often-used metaphor that “we are swimming in the same ocean, but we are not in the… Read more »

Charitable nonprofits are celebrating the best October surprise ever: an updated version of the Uniform Guidance from the Office of Management and Budget that went into effect October 1. The reforms streamline the federal grant process and reduce the financial and administrative burdens for nonprofits hired by the federal government to deliver critical services to communities. Learn more about what the specific changes will mean for your nonprofit in a full analysis from the National Council of Nonprofits…. Read more »

The existence of nonprofits, like the right to vote, are hallmarks of our democracy. When we encourage board and staff members, volunteers, donors, and stakeholders to vote, we are doing our part to be active participants in society. Regardless of our political party or who we choose, our vote is an act of standing for our missions, our communities, and for all those we serve. Imagine the impact we could have if we all voted! As Alaska’s state nonprofit association, we proudly join with the National Council of Nonprofits and the network of state nonprofit associations that believe voting should be easy, accessible, and available to all US citizens. Nonprofits are uniquely positioned as trusted, credible, nonpartisan messengers for people who are often overlooked, under-served, and under-resourced. Many Alaska nonprofits… Read more »

Alaska communities rely on a strong partnership between nonprofits, local governments, tribes, and state and federal agencies to ensure Alaskans have access to the services they need to thrive. Foraker and the Alaska Municipal League are committed to ensuring that nonprofits and local governments receive payment on time from the State of Alaska for all grants and contracts as part of our mutual commitment to serve Alaska. In 2023, our organizations issued resolutions to advance our efforts. We need your help to understand the current impact of delayed payments. This survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete and have an impact for decades to come. The deadline to respond is September 27…. Read more »

At Foraker, we believe that the nonprofit sector is essential to our democracy. More than just a system of government, the idea of democracy is the notion of free-flowing ideas that often confound us, make us think, and yes, often disagree. Democracy requires attention and conscious conversations. It is, after all, only held together by people with ideas and the rules, ethics, and values that we write and live around it. At times, disagreement is how we know our freedoms are at play. Not conflict for conflict’s sake, but the notion that this ever-evolving system needs respect, connection, and healthy debate. This is the thread that holds us together even as some want to frame it as the thing that pulls us apart. The nonprofit sector is one of those… Read more »

Some days more than others, we need to remind ourselves that nonprofits are a hallmark of a healthy democracy and a thriving economy. Today is one of those days. In other countries nonprofits are referred to as non-governmental organizations to indicate their separate relationship from the government, since it is the IRS that deems the reality of our existence in this country, we are framed from a tax perspective. In either case, our role is essential in the depth and breadth of our services that the government either will not or cannot provide and inherently will fail in a market-driven economy. The rationale for our existence in a thriving economy is also long – just look around at how each of your communities operates. Ask yourself, who is doing the… Read more »

Major developments are underway in federal grantmaking! The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has announced significant revisions to the Uniform Guidance, promising big changes in how organizations access federal funds. For many nonprofits, this will mean easier application and reporting processes and more funding for indirect costs/overhead. Join a free webinar, Thursday, May 30 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm Alaska time, as OMB officials Deidre Harrison and Steven P. Mackey discuss the latest revisions, implementation timelines, and real-life implications for charitable nonprofits. Register to save your spot…. Read more »

The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has announced major reforms to the Uniform Guidance, the set of common rules governing most federal grantmaking to charitable nonprofits, state, local, and Tribal governments.  The reforms correct longstanding challenges in the government grants process that have limited nonprofit effectiveness, discouraged qualified organizations from seeking and performing under federal grants, and wasted billions of dollars and countless hours in needlessly complex reporting requirements. Specifically, the revisions to the OMB Uniform Guidance, which becomes effective October 1, 2024, address longstanding problems in recovering actual costs, advance equity by removing bureaucratic barriers, and make other significant reforms that will reduce burdens and costs of seeking, performing, and reporting on grants using federal funds…. Read more »

Update March 6, 2024 This morning the subcommittee voted to preserve full funding for the Human Services Community Matching Grants and the Community Initiative Matching Grant. We did it! Nonprofit power at work! Thank you to everyone who reached out to the subcommittee. We will continue to monitor these appropriations as the budget makes its way through the legislative process. Please stay alert for announcements about opportunities to provide public testimony to the full Finance Committee.  March 5, 2024 The House Finance Subcommittee on Health and Social Services is proposing significant cuts to the Department of Health – Human Services Community Matching Grant ($300,000 or a 23% reduction) and the Community Initiative Matching Grant ($400,000 or a 70% reduction).  These matching grants provide essential services to Alaska’s most vulnerable populations…. Read more »