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Category Archives: Uncategorized

Oct 31, 2014
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The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Council on Financial Assistance Reform (COFAR) released new regulations scheduled to take effect on December 26, 2014 that will have a significant impact on nonprofits. While the results promise to be positive for nonprofits, the regulations will require changes in the way grants and contracts are managed when federal grant funds are involved. Please click here for review from the Council on the new regulations…. Read more »

Oct 14, 2014
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Periodically I review the Letters from the CEO archive to make sure that I don’t repeat myself (too much), and to monitor how many months in a row I’ve written one of these articles. We have published the newsletter since 2004 and it became a monthly service in 2006. In July we marked the 100th publication! In our October newsletter, I shared my thoughts on what it’s been like to develop these monthly messages. I hope you have found them helpful and that you’ll share your thoughts with me. Click here for the article. –Dennis… Read more »

Sep 17, 2014
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The American Gives More Act is an important piece of legislation to support the nonprofit sector. It extends three charitable giving incentives that have expired and provides taxpayers an extended period to claim charitable deductions. The Council supports the legislation and provides information for your use on its website – just click here. Foraker has joined with Philanthropy Northwest in sending supporting letters to Senators Murkowski and Begich. Please make your voices heard on this important issue. If you’d like more information, call the Foraker office at 907-743-1200…. Read more »

Jun 4, 2014
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The Nonprofit Finance Fund, in collaboration with the National Council of Nonprofits, has released findings from its 2014 State of the Sector Survey. The fund concluded that “the economic recovery is leaving behind many nonprofits and communities in need,” and found that: 80% of respondents reported an increase in demand for services, the 6th straight year of increased demand. 56% were unable to meet demand in 2013—the highest reported in the survey’s history. Only 11% expect 2014 to be easier than 2013 for the people they serve. We urge you to view the full report. We also hope you will read the perspective of the Council on the findings. By the way, 93 Alaska organizations participated in the survey. Thanks to everyone who took time to contribute the Alaska perspective… Read more »

Apr 8, 2014
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Board work continues to evolve. Thirty years ago board norms were different. Boards met monthly. They used a strong executive committee that met between board meetings to manage the executive director’s actions – EDs made few decisions without the board’s permission. Only on rare occasions did the board or executive committee meet by phone. There were no faxes – board packets were sent by mail. Communications has drastically changed, and Dennis has some thoughts on just that. Read more here…. Read more »

Apr 2, 2014
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This year we are partnering with Independent Sector, the leadership network for nonprofits, foundations, and corporations, to bring its 2014 National Conference to Seattle on November 16-18. The conference will feature programs highlighting the sector’s biggest names, alongside breakout sessions focused on the most complex questions of the day. With pre-conference sessions targeted to emerging leaders and policy pros, and a full conference roster of cutting-edge content for professionals and executives, the IS conference will arm leaders with the knowledge and connections they need to work toward the greater good in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, across the country and around the world. On-line registration is now open. Foraker Partners are entitled to receive a discounted registration rate. To learn more, visit the conference website or contact Liz Culkin at… Read more »

Mar 4, 2014
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The Cold Climate Housing Research Center is initiating a pilot project this month to help Alaska nonprofits save money by making their buildings more energy efficient. The application process opens tomorrow for nonprofit and tribal building owners in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The Fairbanks Nonprofit Retrofit Pilot provides energy audits and low-interest loans to nonprofit and tribal organizations as well as guidance through the entire energy retrofit process, including arranging an energy audit, prioritizing energy improvements, arranging financing, and coordinating contractors to complete the retrofit. In recent years, thousands of homeowners, small businesses and public buildings have taken advantage of energy efficiency programs to reduce operating costs. Homeowners have cut fuel use by an average 33% annually through AHFC’s Home Energy Rebate Program. The goal of the retrofit program… Read more »

Jan 15, 2014
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Each year the Nonprofit Finance Fund conducts a survey that provides a view of the sector from a variety of angles. We encourage you to participate, as does the National Council of Nonprofits. Once the survey is compiled, the information can be used in many ways — as support for advocacy programs, to inform the public through the media, and to demonstrate the significant value of the sector to the vitality of communities. Results can be filtered by states, so the information from this survey is an excellent supplement to other research Foraker conducts, such as the ISER study on the impact of the sector on Alaska’s economy. You can view the results for Alaska from the 2013 survey by clicking here. Click here to get started. It will take… Read more »

Jan 10, 2014
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Nonprofit Quarterly is a publication we depend on here at Foraker for news and analysis on issues affecting the sector. That’s why we were pleased last week to receive the NPQ Cohen Report in which author Rick Cohen listed what he believes are the top stories from 2013 with implications for the nonprofit sector. Click here to review Rick’s list. Let us know if you would add any stories…. Read more »

Nov 12, 2013
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Making the relationship between board, executive, and staff work is a joint responsibility. Board and CEO both must seek a relationship that honors the organization’s values, purpose, and culture. There are several key questions that should be regularly addressed between the board and the CEO. First, is the board consistent in how much it delegates to the CEO? Does the board provide clear directions, expectations, and feedback? Next, have the board and the CEO adequately looked at succession and developed a plan of action to follow if the CEO were to leave unexpectedly? A succession plan is critical since no organization can be sustained without a CEO and no board should try to manage staff other than the CEO. At meetings, does the board or the staff do most of… Read more »