In a world where we are often rewarded for doing more, going deeper, or moving faster, there is real value in slowing down. In fact, it is the very gift of a pause that allows us to be most effective at more – deeper, wider, and faster. Going slow to go fast has been a truism in the Foraker lexicon for a very long time, but its application only seems to deepen across organizations both in the way we approach the work and in the way we deliver a service. For most nonprofits right now, the needs are only increasing, and the weight of that demand can feel heavy. Doing more with fewer people and less money or energy is not the answer, but often the unspoken expectation. We often… Read more »

Our Certificate in Nonprofit Management program is designed for Alaska nonprofit and tribal leaders to apply classroom teachings to their workplace, dive into issues facing Alaska nonprofits today, and build a network of fellow professionals. Courses will be held at the Foraker office in Anchorage. Applications are due June 12. Learn more here…. Read more »

Note: Most of Alaska’s nonprofit workplaces are fairly small. Only one-third of Alaska’s nonprofits have staff, and more than 85% of those with staff have fewer than 50 people. As you read this article, note that the trends we see in staff we also see in boards and volunteers. So, keep reading, and if your organization has no staff, the ideas will still hold, perhaps with slight adjustments to make the tools work for your unpaid team. In the last six years, we have gone through The Great Resignation, The Great Reshuffle, a workforce shortage, and now what I might call The Big Decision. All these trends have taken place against a backdrop of shifting generations in the workforce, which amounts to more multigenerational employee groups operating together. The Great… Read more »

After a four-year hiatus, our Catalyst program is back. In Catalyst, we emphasize that courageous leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room or having all the answers, it’s about showing up as the unique leader you are. If you are looking for an opportunity to reflect on what’s most important to you and on becoming more intentional with your time and energy, this program is for you. Catalyst is not about learning strategies for the day-to-day management of your organization – we don’t teach you how to write an employee manual or balance a budget (We have other courses for that!). Instead, we focus on bigger questions about what success looks like to you. You will walk away with a powerful sense of purpose, tools for feeling grounded in your… Read more »

Many organizations are facing increased uncertainty due to recent federal government changes. Our Rapid Response Convenings are designed to help you navigate this evolving landscape by creating a network of support. These one-hour virtual sessions provide a safe and collaborative space to share current challenges, exchange ideas and solutions, and learn from the collective wisdom of your peers. Thanks to the generous support of the Rasmuson Foundation and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, we’re offering these free convenings specifically for: Fundraisers (This session is for Executive Directors, Development Staff, Board Members, or anyone who is involved in fundraising at your organization) October 13, November 3, December 1 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Nonprofit HR professionals October 14, November 13, December 11 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm Nonprofit Finance professionals… Read more »

The Executive Leadership Intensive program is designed for executive directors in their first three years of leadership. We believe successful leaders are supported leaders. With the Executive Leadership Intensive (ELI), you will be in a safe space where you can find tools and resources to help you grow into your role as executive director. During this program, you will strengthen your board relationship, explore management and planning strategies with an experienced mentor, and learn from a network of peers. Applications are due January 3. The program starts February 3. Apply today!… Read more »

Springtime in Alaska is the time that tests our convictions the most – the time when you can still ski, snowshoe, and snowmachine, and there are more moments to walk or ride on pavement, gravel, and hard ground – a time of hope and a bit of pleading for slightly more sunshine and slightly less gray as the daylight invites us to do more and hibernate less. This is truly the time of year that reminds me that I get to hold a lot of emotions, energy, and ideas all at once. It is also the time of year that my mindset matters. Our work in the nonprofit sector also looks and feels like the weather – the highs and lows are palpable and most days ridiculous to juggle. The… Read more »

When does the fun part start? More than any other question I received over a few days with a recent cohort of executive directors, this was the question that grabbed everyone’s attention. Everyone wanted to know. Everyone needed to know. I could see it in all the faces on my screen – I could feel it in the urgency of their voices. I knew that question all too well as I have asked it so many times in my career. And because I had found my answers enough times, I was in a position at that moment (and all the other times I have heard this question) to hold some space for the answers to unfold. I say unfold because it is a journey for each person to find both… Read more »

Help us create a tool for Alaska nonprofits to use in making important personnel decisions. Your participation in our salary and benefits survey allows us to generate a report to help you establish a salary for a new position, evaluate salary norms within the Alaska nonprofit sector, and compare your organization’s benefit offerings and total compensation competitiveness. Why should I participate? The report is only as good as the level of participation—the more participation, the more statistically significant and reliable data will be available to help Alaska’s nonprofit community advance conversations about competitive compensation practices. And, if your organization participates, you’ll receive a $100 discount off the price of the full report. The survey is open for participation through April 5, 2024. What do I need to complete the survey? The survey… Read more »

Our collective workforce woes are real, and we are all searching for what we can do to attract and retain a great workforce. Some of the obvious tools for compensation are outside our reach at the moment, but we do have tools in house right now that we can use to engage and understand our workforce more fully. One of those is meaningful evaluation. There is an art and a science to getting helpful feedback, and if you are the executive director or CEO, you likely know better than most how difficult evaluations are to come by, and meaningful ones are a bit like unicorns. That said, it is not just appropriate to expect some form of helpful feedback, but if you are the executive, it is part of the… Read more »