Nonprofits in Alaska and across the country will soon be dealing with changes to federal rules governing employment and contracting practices that have the potential to affect their costs and operations – especially those with grants or contracts to provide services on behalf of any government. This information from the National Council of Nonprofits gives you the details about two federal regulatory issues and asks for your perspectives through a confidential survey that will develop data to support better policies and solutions. Review the information, then click on the Survey Link to participate. WHAT’S IN PLAY? Overtime: As we highlighted in our May newsletter, the S. Department of Labor is expected to announce soon new overtime regulations that will require most employers, including nonprofits, to pay overtime to all employees… Read more »

This year, more than ever, Foraker is taking an active role in public policy. As an example, we recently visited with lawmakers in Juneau and urged them to pass a long-term fiscal plan “that is comprehensive, promotes strong rural and urban communities, and protects Alaska’s most vulnerable populations, education, and cultural life.” You can read our press release here. However, while we view it as a priority issue, our focus is not on just the state’s fiscal challenges. The Governance Board has approved a range of public policy issues that we will work on this year. They include: Challenge new local taxation of nonprofits – Be prepared to advocate alongside other Alaska nonprofits as local governments consider new taxes on the sector such as PILOTS/PLUTS (Payments in Lieu of Taxes)… Read more »

The Foraker Group calls on the 2016 legislature to enact a long-term fiscal plan that is comprehensive, promotes strong rural and urban communities, and protects Alaska’s most vulnerable populations, education, and cultural life. When considering all the proposed expense cuts and revenue options currently presented, legislators should recognize the positive impact of the nonprofit sector on the state’s economy and the cost savings the sector provides to the state budget. A fiscal plan should not depend on a single sector to sustain it, and all options should be determined based on fairness, equity, and ability to pay. According to Laurie Wolf, Foraker President and CEO, it’s important for legislators to understand the value nonprofit organizations bring to Alaska communities. “Alaska nonprofits improve the quality of life for all Alaskans,” she… Read more »

Diversify your funding base – it’s too risky to rely on a single funding source. Plan for the future – know who you are and where you are going. Make values-based decisions – this applies to every decision from programming, to staffing, to board composition, to budgeting. Have your internal house in order and focus on effectiveness and efficiency. Seek new ways of doing your work and look for the most leverage to make every dollar and every effort count. Use your collective voice for change. Notice anything about these six thoughts? They should sound familiar. Why? Because not only are they best practice in the nonprofit field, but you are likely doing or at least working toward all these practices in your own business models. You have also likely… Read more »

Nonprofits around the country spoke out against a proposal from the Internal Revenue Service that would have created a reporting system encouraging nonprofits to ask for, store, and report donor Social Security numbers. In response to nonprofit organization’s concerns and push-back from lawmakers, news came today that the IRS withdrew the proposal. The proposed regulations could have imposed significant costs and burdens on nonprofit organizations, created public confusion and disincentives for donors to support the work of nonprofits, and could have lead fraudulent actors to increase their targeting of donors and reputable nonprofit organizations. The Foraker Group will continue to monitor and actively respond to important public policy issues. We thank you for joining us in a strong, collective voice for the Alaska nonprofit sector. Read the comments that The Foraker Group submitted to the… Read more »

Nonprofits around the country spoke out against a proposal from the Internal Revenue Service that would have created a reporting system encouraging nonprofits to ask for, store, and report donor Social Security numbers. In response to nonprofit organization’s concerns and push-back from lawmakers, news came today that the IRS withdrew the proposal. The proposed regulations could have imposed significant costs and burdens on nonprofit organizations, created public confusion and disincentives for donors to support the work of nonprofits, and could have lead fraudulent actors to increase their targeting of donors and reputable nonprofit organizations. The Foraker Group will continue to monitor and actively respond to important public policy issues. We thank you for joining us in a strong, collective voice for the Alaska nonprofit sector. Read the comments that The Foraker Group submitted to the… Read more »

Nonprofits around the country spoke out against a proposal from the Internal Revenue Service that would have created a reporting system encouraging nonprofits to ask for, store, and report donor Social Security numbers. In response to nonprofit organization’s concerns and push-back from lawmakers, news came today that the IRS withdrew the proposal. The proposed regulations could have imposed significant costs and burdens on nonprofit organizations, created public confusion and disincentives for donors to support the work of nonprofits, and could have lead fraudulent actors to increase their targeting of donors and reputable nonprofit organizations. The Foraker Group will continue to monitor and actively respond to important public policy issues. We thank you for joining us in a strong, collective voice for the Alaska nonprofit sector. Read the comments that The Foraker Group submitted to the… Read more »

Nonprofits around the country spoke out against a proposal from the Internal Revenue Service that would have created a reporting system encouraging nonprofits to ask for, store, and report donor Social Security numbers. In response to nonprofit organization’s concerns and push-back from lawmakers, news came today that the IRS withdrew the proposal. The proposed regulations could have imposed significant costs and burdens on nonprofit organizations, created public confusion and disincentives for donors to support the work of nonprofits, and could have lead fraudulent actors to increase their targeting of donors and reputable nonprofit organizations. The Foraker Group will continue to monitor and actively respond to important public policy issues. We thank you for joining us in a strong, collective voice for the Alaska nonprofit sector. Read the comments that The Foraker Group submitted to the… Read more »

We have rescheduled our Fairbanks conversation on the state’s fiscal challenge for Tuesday, Nov. 17, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, at the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, 725 26th Ave. A light lunch will be provided at 11:30, with the forum beginning at noon.Holding these conversations with nonprofit board members and executive leaders across the state is important to all of us at Foraker, especially as Alaska and our sector continue to talk about a more sustainable fiscal future.  We remain committed to making sure that our sector is at the table when policy makers are considering that future. Those wishing to attend are asked to register. Please go to our calendar page to do that. If you registered for the previously scheduled session on Nov. 10, your name has been re-entered for… Read more »

Originally scheduled for tomorrow, Nov. 10, in Fairbanks, the Foraker briefing on “The Nonprofit Sector: A Voice for Fiscal Stability,” has moved to Nov. 17. Fairbanks will be the fourth conversation following sessions held in Anchorage and Juneau, and a statewide webinar. Foraker President Laurie Wolf said Governor Walker has asked that his team members postpone their public conversations on the fiscal plan as they update their information now that the special session has concluded. In addition to representatives from the state and Foraker, First Alaskans Institute and Rasmuson Foundation have been part of the conversations. “We understand and appreciate the time and energy the state has provided to us in our efforts to engage nonprofit leaders throughout Alaska in this important conversation,” Wolf said. “Holding these conversations with nonprofit… Read more »