You may recall that in 2016 the Obama Administration proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum salary thresholds for exempt positions.  These changes more than doubled the minimum threshold and impacted many of our nonprofits in the state.  At the eleventh hour, the proposed changes were enjoined by the U.S. District Court in Eastern Texas days before they went into effect.  It didn’t end there, but the changes were halted. Following new proposed changes and a public comment period earlier this year, the final rule was issued this week for changes that go into effect on January 1, 2020. Is there an increase to the minimum threshold for exempt employees? Yes.  This federal ruling increases the minimum weekly threshold to exempt positions from $455 ($23,660 per year)… Read more »

A message from Laurie Wolf, President and CEO Today, Governor Dunleavy used his line-item veto to cut over $400 million from the FY2020 state budget, adding to $280 million in cuts already made by the legislature. These cuts represent some of the largest we have seen to health and human services in our state’s history. And these figures do not take into account the loss of $22 million in matching federal funds. Let’s be clear, these cumulative cuts will have an impact on every Alaskan. As we have been saying for some time now, Alaska only truly works when we work together – nonprofits, business, and government. These cuts will mean the loss of essential services, and our most vulnerable will be the most harmed. More people will go without… Read more »

To Alaska Nonprofit Leaders: This morning the Governor’s office released its proposed Fiscal Year 2020 budget. All budget documents can be found on the website for the Office of Management and Budget. I encourage you to examine the proposed budget and understand what it can mean to your mission and your organization. I also encourage you to keep three important points in mind: Please know that the work you do matters. Remember that this is a proposal. There is a long road ahead of us before a final budget is approved. The legislature is the only branch of government with the power to appropriate money, which it does through a comprehensive budget bill. When the governor receives this bill, he can veto all or portions of it (the line-item veto),… 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 National Council of Nonprofits has alerted us to a conference call to be conducted by the White House on Friday regarding the process for helping uninsured individuals enroll for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity for factual information on ACA and how it could affect your organization and constituents. The call will occur on Friday, September 20, at 10:30 am Alaska time. According to the White House, “this call will showcase some of the best practices for partnerships that will help to prepare uninsured Americans to enroll in health insurance through the marketplaces starting on October 1, 2013. Faith-based and other community groups are playing key roles in this work, and we look forward to discussing additional ways… Read more »

After nearly a decade of explosive growth, federal spending in Alaska has turned flat. A new analysis of federal spending in Alaska by Scott Goldsmith, professor of economics at ISER, finds that except for temporary stimulus funds provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, federal spending in the state has been roughly the same for the past several years. The analysis discusses the composition of federal spending in Alaska, reviews stimulus spending, and provides examples of the importance of federal funds to the state economy. It also corrects a serious error in data reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce on federal spending in Alaska. Read study-… Read more »

If your organization has been discussing a potential capital project with lawmakers in Juneau, the deadline is near for submitting that project. Legislators are finalizing their “wish lists” right now. Consider giving the legislator who’s working with you a call…. Read more »

Despite signs the economy is improving, nonprofits that rely on state money should brace for at least two more years of tough times, a new report warns. Read more-… Read more »

The Foraker Group is actively working with the National Council of Nonprofits to save the charitable giving incentive, which is at risk as part of the budget negotiations going on right now in Washington D.C. Federal tax law currently provides an itemized deduction to encourage individuals to give to charitable organizations whose missions they support. The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the Super Committee) is looking for ways to reduce the federal budget deficit through spending cuts, entitlement reforms, and changes to the tax code. Politicians from across the political spectrum have put forward plans to address these issues, and most propose changing the charitable deduction in one way or another. Yet no one knows the true impact that any of these proposals will have on the ability of… Read more »

This action alert was issued by the National Council of Nonprofits last week. Please consider if your organization should be involved…. Read more »