I just left Washington DC. It was a quick trip for a few meetings. The temperature was nearing 100 degrees so thinking about getting back to our cool summer is exciting. Another reason to be thankful for the trip home is that everyone in DC was more anxious than I have ever seen in my many visits. The mood is tense and people appear very worried about the country’s future. Everyone I met with was from the nonprofit sector. Each person seemed resigned that the best-case scenario will inevitably create an uncertain future for those many nonprofits that depend significantly on federal support. Once reliable funding from Uncle Sam (and Ted) may be less dependable after a solution for the deficit is found. The smidgen of insight from this trip… Read more »

It’s been a few weeks since I checked in on the blog. It’s summer and even at Foraker we slow down a little this time of year – at least we slow down in facilitations and trainings. It seems no one wants to meet when the fish are running and the trails are snow free. While we are doing less external work, this is the time of year we do our internal cleanup. I wonder what others experience when it comes to updating all of their internal records? Maintaining policies and resolutions, updating bylaws, cleaning up files can seem like menial work. Still, for all of us, keeping basic information current and accessible is crucial to our sustainability. Most important it assures us that if anyone wanted information, we know… Read more »

On August 19, Denali area nonprofits will come together to discuss the challenges of operating nonprofit and volunteer-led organizations. This session will be facilitated by Dennis McMillian, President and CEO of The Foraker Group. The time and location will be announced shortly. Dennis is an excellent resource and his organization specializes in helping nonprofits succeed and operate efficiently and safely in Alaska. Mayor Talerico has agreed to attend and will discuss the Borough’s support for nonprofit organizations. The Chamber of Commerce, Alaska Geographic, and the Borough Office will all be helping to make this event happen. Nonprofits are vital assets in Denali Borough communities. They provide fire and ambulance service, childcare, and healthy recreation opportunities. They support our public lands and our neighbors in need. Denali nonprofits, like others in… 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 »

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 »

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 »

For the first time in a few weeks, my blog originates in Alaska, at my desk, which may seem a rare occurrence. I am not sure how my staff reacts to a sighting of “Live Dennis” since “Cardboard Dennis” or “Bobble Head Dennis” is the form they are more familiar with. However, they humor me and seem happy to see the real one from time to time. We work hard during the summer, but it seems the hectic schedule of facilitation calms a bit as most Alaskans are fishing, hiking, looking for “Sun” Days, or doing almost anything besides retreating with their favorite nonprofit. That lull in activity allows us to focus on some of our mission related activities, like representing the sector to leadership throughout the state. We have… Read more »