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 »

We’re pleased with the response to the conversations we’re sponsoring — along with the Rasmuson Foundation, First Alaskans Institute and the State of Alaska — on the state’s fiscal challenge. Nonprofit leaders are learning more about the issue and sharing their perspectives on possible approaches we can take to meet this challenge. In November we’ll be in Juneau on the 3rd, Fairbanks on the 10th, and Bethel on the 17th. Go to the Foraker calendar to register for one of these sessions. To read coverage of the Anchorage meeting, please go to this article in the Alaska Journal of Commerce. Plan to attend one of the remaining sessions so your voice can be heard…. Read more »

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 »