As our state faces economic challenges, how will nonprofit organizations take action? As a nonprofit leader, are you engaging in the conversation about fiscal stability? Join us in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Bethel or via webinar as we discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. At each of the sessions, we will: Explore the positive economic impact of the sector Engage in lively conversation with other nonprofit leaders on the most up-to-date information on the state’s economy Activate our voice in the statewide dialogue Presenters will include: Pat Pitney, State of Alaska Randall Hoffbeck, State of Alaska Jordan Marshall, Rasmuson Foundation Liz Medicine Crow, First Alaskans Institute Laurie Wolf, The Foraker Group Mike Walsh, The Foraker Group Detailed agendas will be released soon. Check back at www.forakergroup.org Space is limited…. Read more »

In an effort to help Alaska’s nonprofit leaders feel more comfortable “lifting their voices” to support their organizations and the sector, we have revised some of our advocacy classes. If it’s been a while since you took an advocacy class, or you want to learn more about how to conduct effective advocacy, consider our class “Building a Culture of Advocacy” which will be offered onsite in Anchorage on Sept. 3. Now is the time to work at least some time into your schedule to focus attention on public issues affecting you and the sector. In this course you will learn more about the important link between active advocacy and meeting mission, and how to build a stronger and more effective internal Culture of Advocacy within your organization. Does your board… Read more »

Rasmuson Foundation has put forth a plan for our state’s fiscal future — one of the most important issues we face right now. We urge you to read the plan here, then join in the conversation. As we have been saying for some time, nonprofits play a significant role in our state’s economy. Learn about the issues we face and let your voice be heard. Stay tuned for more opportunities supported by Foraker and others to continue the discussion…. Read more »

Recently the National Council of Nonprofits outlined changes that the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued regarding nonprofit’s indirect costs. We strongly encourage organizations who receive federal funding to study the new grant policies and procedures. OMB’s Uniform Guidance will benefit nonprofits and foundations by making overhead or administrative costs reimbursable. To learn more about the implications for your organization, read more here. Foraker is partnering with the Council to host a statewide training on the new policies. Join us on Thursday, June 4th from 10:00 – 11:00 AM for a webinar with OMB experts David Thompson and Beth Bowsky. Learn more about the training here.    … Read more »

Alaska’s Congressional Delegation announced it will hold the 2015 Federal Grants Symposium at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and visit with representatives from federal agencies offering grants and loans. Additionally, there will be training seminars highlighting information about federal grant and loan processes, along with tips to take advantage of potential funding opportunities. Foraker’s incoming CEO, Laurie Wolf, will be presenting on The Foraker Nonprofit Sustainability Model. Program Schedule 9:00am – 9:30am – Registration 9:30am – 9:45am – Video Remarks by Alaska Congressional Delegation 9:45am – 10:45am – Presentation by Foraker Group 11:00am – 12:00pm – Panel moderated by Rasmuson Foundation 12:00pm – 12:20pm – Presentation by Alaska Community Foundation 12:30 –… Read more »

The slide presentations from the 2015 Leadership Summit are now available. Please click here to find the slides and handouts from all our speakers…. Read more »

For some time now, we’ve been sharing information from the National Council of Nonprofits on changes taking place in the way nonprofits will be reimbursed for their indirect costs when they are implementing programs that are at least partially funded by the federal government. New guidance was adopted at the end of 2014 that streamlines and clarifies the rules. We strongly encourage Alaska nonprofits that receive federal funding to examine the guidance. To help you get started, the Council has published a white paper, Know Your Rights – and How to Protect Them, that analyzes your rights and highlights potential challenges you may encounter. The paper also will help you properly interpret the guidance. If you have any questions, please call the Foraker office, 907-743-1200…. Read more »

The National Council of Nonprofits has announced it 2015 public policy agenda, which focuses on six broad categories: tax policy, budget and spending, the economy, public-private collaborations, advocacy rights, and public accountability. You can read more on the agenda here. The council suggests several ways organizations can use items from its agenda, including: Sharing it with members of your board or public policy committee Using the information to augment your own public policy agenda Using it as a starting point for your own agenda if you haven’t developed one Foraker’s public policy committee will present its recommended agenda to the Governance Board at the annual meeting on January 15. We’ll report on the board’s action here on the blog and in the February newsletter…. Read more »

We encourage you to take a look at this message on advocacy from Foraker Vice President Mike Walsh. It appeared in our last newsletter. A recent article from David Thompson, Vice President for Public Policy at the National Council of Nonprofits, asked an important question: “Who has time for advocacy?” His answer was clear – nonprofits in Alaska don’t have the time NOT TO ENGAGE in public policy advocacy. Most of us in the nonprofit sector have heard about the link between active advocacy and meeting mission, and I have a simple formula: More Advocacy = More Mission. At The Foraker Group we have been changing the way we think, talk, and act about nonprofit advocacy. We are working to be better advocates for our mission to strengthen nonprofits, and… Read more »

Since Foraker’s beginning we have been dedicated to the concept of shared services — or what is more commonly called “backroom services” — to support the sector. The rational for these services is simple — we are better when we work together. Foraker has proven this time and again in our many offerings of shared services including Financial Shared Services, our Pre-Development program, and our website design services, to name just a few. We are pleased to announce the latest addition to our suite of shared services — human resources. Expanding on our already popular HR activities, which includes one-on-one work with organizations and our educational offerings, we have developed a program to truly fit the needs of the sector. Our work throughout Alaska is proof that this service is… Read more »