We are thrilled with Mayor Berkowitz’s appointment of Heather Harris as Anchorage Health Department Director. Heather has been part of the Foraker family in many and varied ways. She worked on staff, graduated from Certificate and Catalyst, teaches for us, and joyfully mentors many emerging nonprofit leaders. She has been dedicated to our success and the success of nonprofits around the state. We know she will be successful in her new and important role at the municipality. We send her all our good wishes. You can read the announcement from the mayor here…. Read more »

We send our congratulations to the Rasmuson family and to the board and staff of Rasmuson Foundation who are celebrating 65 years of service to Alaska. In their annual Letter to Alaskans, Foundation Chairman Ed Rasmuson and President/CEO Diane Kaplan look back at the family’s rich history of “giving back” to Alaska communities. We encourage you to read the letter and learn more about the amazing work the foundation has accomplished over the years. We especially appreciate Rasmuson’s partnership in starting The Foraker Group and for their continued support of our work. Thank you for everything you do to make Alaska better for all of us…. Read more »

A Note from Laurie Wolf, President and CEO, The Foraker Group The weight of this time in history is beyond measure. And this past week it got impossibly heavier. The murder of George Floyd, piled on other visible racist action against Christian Cooper in Central Park, reminds all of us that injustice is a daily, if not hourly experience for too many people of color. Living through this pandemic, while also a shared experience, is not the same experience. Someone thoughtfully noted, “we are in the same ocean but not the same boat.” If you entered this phase in our lives and you are elderly and live communally, or you are in an abusive relationship, or you are hungry, or you feared for your child’s safety, or you lost your… Read more »

To date, there have been no reports of coronavirus in Alaska. However, we are aware of the growing number of incidents in other parts of the country, including deaths in California and Washington state. So this is a good time for nonprofit leaders to learn what they can do to protect the people they serve, their staff, and the community at large. It’s time to move into action now and plan ahead. Fortunately, disease control experts have been busy posting information to help us with planning and prevention. No doubt you have looked at a number of websites that offer excellent guidance. We’ve gathered some we believe are especially helpful and list them below. From the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, a webpage with general and Alaska specific… Read more »

On Febraury 11, 2020 BP officially handed over the keys to the BP Energy Center to The Alaska Community Foundation. At the event, Laurie Wolf gave a tribute to the building, and to BP for their generosity. Here are her comments:  On behalf of the nonprofit sector and the hundreds of organizations and civic groups who use this facility every year, thank you. And thank you for inviting me to say a few words about this place and this gift to Alaska nonprofits. We are here today to celebrate this remarkable gift as it transfers hands and keeps its promised intent for Alaska’s nonprofits. We are grateful as nonprofits not only for the gift of this space, but for the many gifts of financial investment, employee time and engagement, and… Read more »

Are you ready to take what you learned this summer about advocating for your mission and make it part of your organization’s DNA? Join us for Creating Your Successful Advocacy Program: A Step-by-Step Approach on October 29.  Looking for support outside of Anchorage? We are ready to help you build a plan that can guide your work. Give us a call to find out how to schedule an advocacy training in your community. Register today…. Read more »

Recovery Resources Nonprofit Resources for your organization Apply for public assistance (emergency protective measures and earthquake-related debris removal, as well as for repairs to infrastructure damage). The deadline to apply is April 1. More information can be found here: http://ready.alaska.gov/Earthquake SBA Loans – The US Small Business Administration provides low-interest, long-term disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, including nonprofit organizations (and individual homeowners and renters – see below) to repair or replace uninsured/under-insured disaster damaged property.  As a business, you may borrow up to $2 million for physical damage. BA is providing one-on-one assistance to disaster business loan applicants at a Business Recovery Center in Eagle River. No appointment is necessary. Resources for those you serve Alaska Disaster Hotline (free legal assistance available for earthquake survivors): (855) 743-1001 The type of legal… Read more »

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On December 6, Foraker hosted an informational session for nonprofits hosted by Foraker’s Laurie Wolf and John Tracy, Risq Consulting President Timothy Maudsely, and Alaska Emergency Management team member Alan Cavallo. Listen to the recording here.  … Read more »

Since the earthquake, we have heard from many donors and volunteers that want to help. The Foraker Group, Rasmuson Foundation, United Way of Anchorage, United Way of Mat-Su, Mat-Su Health Foundation, The Red Cross, Alaska Council on the Arts, and the Alaska Community Foundation, among others, want to help mobilize support for your work. Please share your immediate needs as a result of the earthquake by the end of the day on Wednesday, December 5.  We will be in contact soon with more information and resources…. Read more »