The Foraker Group

This year, more than ever, Foraker is taking an active role in public policy. As an example, we recently visited with lawmakers in Juneau and urged them to pass a long-term fiscal plan “that is comprehensive, promotes strong rural and urban communities, and protects Alaska’s most vulnerable populations, education, and cultural life.” You can read our press release here.

However, while we view it as a priority issue, our focus is not on just the state’s fiscal challenges. The Governance Board has approved a range of public policy issues that we will work on this year. They include:

1. Challenge new local taxation of nonprofits – Be prepared to advocate alongside other Alaska nonprofits as local governments consider new taxes on the sector such as PILOTS/PLUTS (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) and taxes on charitable giving and property owned by nonprofits.
2. Prepare the sector for financial crisis – Design a process that would identify nonprofits facing potential financial crises and help them find solutions.
3. Monitor and educate on the Fair Labor Standards Act – Monitor federal regulatory activity, educate the sector, and prepare nonprofits for the impacts of changes related to overtime and exempt positions.
4. Position the sector for the current economy – Educate and raise the voice of the sector during the state budget conversation through fiscal forums targeting the nonprofit sector.
5. Collect and disseminate nonprofit sector data on pay equity.
6. Support the development of regulations to implement the change to the State Single Audit threshold.

If you have perspectives on these issues you would like us to consider, please contact Mike Walsh at mwalsh@forakergroup.org, or 907-479-0472.

It’s important that leaders in the nonprofit sector raise their voices so our policy makers understand how their actions have an impact on our missions and our communities. Let us know if we can help you.