What began as a strategic goal of United Way of Anchorage—to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of nonprofits through shared back-office services—quickly evolved into something much bigger.
Guided by the vision of leaders in the nonprofit, philanthropy, business, and Alaska Indigenous communities, and made possible through the early support of Rasmuson Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, ARCO Alaska, and BP Alaska, Foraker emerged as a statewide organization dedicated to building leadership, strengthening organizations, promoting philanthropy, and serving communities across Alaska.
Our intentionally unique governance structure, core values, and deeply held beliefs have shaped who we are and why our work matters beyond any single experience. These foundations have guided 25 years of growth, allowing us to expand our programs, services, research, and advocacy in response to the evolving needs of Alaska’s nonprofit and tribal organizations.
This timeline highlights just a few of the milestones that shaped Foraker’s journey—25 milestones in 25 years—and reflects how we’ve become known in Alaska and across the country for innovative programming, research, advocacy, education, and service to the sector.
Thank you for being part of the story—and for helping write the next chapter.
See what others have to say about Foraker’s impact.
Jan 1, 2001Foraker Holds its First Board Meeting and Publicly Launches Core Services and Trainings
Our earliest offerings included classes in nonprofit governance and management, along with shared services in web design and finance through a partnership with Cook Inlet Tribal Council. Those early shared finance services became the foundation of Foraker's
Financial Shared Services program, now one of our largest service lines, providing back-office accounting support to more than 100 nonprofits and tribal organizations across Alaska.
Aug 1, 2003Certificate in Nonprofit Management Welcomes First Cohort
Certificate marked our first major educational program to help Alaska nonprofit and tribal leaders strengthen their management skills and build more effective organizations. Still offered annually, the program explores the full range of nonprofit management disciplines—from strategic planning, finance, and board governance to fundraising, public policy, and human resources—while helping participants build lasting connections with peers across the state.
Pictured: The 2015 cohort. 
Jan 1, 2004Essential Programs and Partnerships Secured
Foraker provided early staffing and support to
The Alaska Community Foundation to foster a culture of philanthropy in Alaska and partnered with
Rasmuson Foundation to launch the
Sabbatical Program, which provides Alaska nonprofit and tribal leaders with time away from the office for rest and personal renewal. These relationships and more remain vital as we all work together to create thriving organizations and communities for all Alaskans.
Jan 1, 2005 Supporting a Dynamic Workforce, the Foraker Jobs Board and Interim Executive Director Services are Launched
Staff transition is inevitable, and our intention has been to offer stability, reliability, and trust in the sector. Foraker’s free
jobs board has become the most well-traveled page on our website since its creation. Offering
interim leadership was a natural extension to elevate the importance of the executive director role, to allow time for the board to move slowly and with intention in selecting a new leader, and to ensure seamless delivery of services Alaskans count on every day. This service continues to serve missions across Alaska.
Jan 1, 2005Alaska's First Funders Directory Created
Foraker acquired The Funding Exchange and used it as the foundation for the Alaska Funders Guide, the first online and printed directory dedicated to Alaska funding opportunities. Today, it continues as the
Alaska Funders Directory, helping organizations connect with philanthropic resources across the country and lessening barriers to knowledge and access for every organization.
Jan 1, 2006Pre-Development Program Introduced
We created the Pre-Development Program to help organizations determine whether proposed capital projects were financially viable, mission-aligned, and responsive to community needs. Pre-D also fostered unprecedented collaboration among funders. Although the program concluded in 2017, its lessons continue through the free
Pre-Development Toolkit on our website, which is used by nonprofits, tribes, and local governments across the globe, and the free book
Preparing to Fund Your Capital Project in Alaska and Beyond (2015), which captures the best of our learning on resilient funding plans.
Sep 1, 2006Salary and Benefits Research Begins
To help organizations make informed compensation decisions, Foraker released its first
Salary and Benefits Report. This biennial report continues today as a valuable benchmarking tool that supports thoughtful compensation practices across the Northwest.
Oct 19, 2006Sector's Economic Impact Measured
Foraker published the first research examining the nonprofit sector's impact on Alaska's economy. What began as a short report has evolved into the
Nonprofit Economic Impact Report, a trusted resource published every three years and relied upon by nonprofit leaders, policymakers, funders, and community stakeholders.
Jan 10, 2008The Foraker Leadership Summit Premieres
We convened the first
Leadership Summit, creating a statewide gathering place for nonprofit and tribal leaders. Held every two years since, the Summit now brings together approximately 500 leaders for learning, collaboration, and inspiration.
Jan 1, 2009Statewide Partnership Grows
Foraker's services were always intended to be accessible and available to all nonprofits and tribes in Alaska. This is the moment we saw our outreach take hold in a statistically relevant way, with 60% of our Partners operating outside Anchorage and more than 450 organizations annually joining as
Foraker Partners—a reflection of their belief in the importance of capacity building. This total number has remained consistent over the years. By 2010, more than 10,000 Alaskans had attended one of our classes.
Pictured: Laurie Wolf and current Board Chair Pearl Brower in Utkiagvik. 
Jan 1, 2009National Council of Nonprofits Welcomes Foraker
Foraker formally became Alaska's state nonprofit association and member of the National Council of Nonprofits, connecting Alaska's nonprofit sector to a national network of advocacy, resources, and expertise and further deepening our commitment to
nonpartisan policy action.
Jan 1, 2010Nonprofit Sustainability Redefined
After a decade of research, we published Focus on Sustainability: A Nonprofit's Journey, introducing the
Foraker Nonprofit Sustainability Model, that continues to guide every aspect of our work. The book and its accompanying tools broadened the national conversation about sustainability beyond finances alone, encouraging organizations to make strategic decisions through multiple lenses that support long-term resilience and mission impact. Several years later, our
Making Connections project built on this work by sharing tribal case studies that demonstrated how the sustainability model's lenses can also be helpful in tribal governance.
Jan 1, 2011Pick.Click.Give. Becomes Law
Foraker played a leadership role in developing and advocating for
Pick.Click.Give. The initiative was designed to increase the number of donors, grow charitable giving, and raise awareness of philanthropy's role in strengthening Alaska communities. The program remains a successful tool for growing individual philanthropy.
Mar 21, 2011Catalyst for Nonprofit Excellence Launched
We brought together the first cohort of
Catalyst, an innovative leadership program focused on the emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-awareness of nonprofit professionals. At the time, it was among the first programs in the nation to prioritize these skills as essential tools for leadership retention and organizational success.
Pictured: The 2014 cohort and alumni. 
Jan 1, 2013Sultana New Ventures Created
We established
Sultana, a single-member LLC, to provide fiscal sponsorship and incubation support for emerging initiatives and funder collaboratives. Sultana creates space for innovation while offering a neutral structure for collaborative community solutions.
Feb 4, 2015Executive Leadership Initiative Launched
This program (now the
Executive Leadership Intensive, or ELI) was created in response to research showing that without adequate support, executive and tribal leaders leave their positions within their first three years. ELI helps leaders build the skills, relationships, and confidence needed for long-term success.
Jul 1, 2015Laurie Wolf becomes President/CEO
After founding President and CEO
Dennis McMillian stepped down, Foraker's board conducted a national search. On July 1, 2015, Laurie Wolf—one of Foraker's first employees—was named President and CEO, ushering in a new chapter of leadership while building on the organization's strong foundation.
Jan 1, 2016Advancing Research on the Gender Pay Gap
Foraker published its first
research on the gender pay gap in Alaska's nonprofit sector, using Salary and Benefits Report survey data to compare compensation by gender. That initial study laid the foundation for a unique partnership with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, using Permanent Fund Dividend employment records to produce the most comprehensive analysis of the nonprofit gender pay gap in the country. The research reflects Foraker's commitment to turning data into action—providing policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and the public with credible information to advance equity and inform decision-making.
Jan 1, 2017Alaska Census Working Group Comes Together
Recognizing that census data impacts every nonprofit, tribe, government, and business in Alaska, Foraker and the Cook Inlet Housing Authority led the way to create the
Alaska Census Working Group. Together with partners from every sector, the Working Group identified significant factors that inhibited a complete count, especially in rural Alaska, and developed strategies to address them. This work became a national model during the 2020 Census and resulted in a statewide public campaign,
Alaska Counts, which promoted a complete census count. Efforts continue for 2030.
Mar 20, 2019Fundraising Intensives Initiated
Recognizing that nonprofit leaders often know what fundraising work needs to be done but struggle to find the time and support to do it, we began our
fundraising intensives. Designed to create accountability, provide practical tools, and foster peer learning and support, the intensives help organizations turn fundraising goals into action.
May 2, 2019 Leadership Transition Services Begin
Building on years of experience supporting organizations through executive transitions, Foraker initiated
Leadership Transition services. Unlike traditional executive searches, the program focuses on organizational readiness, capacity building, and long-term success, helping boards and leaders build stronger transitions and stronger organizations.
Mar 15, 2020COVID Response Mounted
During the pandemic, Foraker provided information, resources, and advocacy to help nonprofits and tribes respond to rapidly changing circumstances. We successfully advocated for $50 million in federal relief funding for Alaska nonprofits and helped organizations navigate CARES, ARPA, PPP, arts relief, and federal infrastructure funding. This work strengthened partnerships with government agencies, the Alaska Municipal League, and regional economic development organizations while building systems and relationships that continue to support our
federal funding response and public policy efforts today.
Jan 18, 2023Alaska Board Match Launched
A common barrier to strong nonprofits is recruiting and retaining engaged board members. The
Alaska Board Match website was developed to reduce barriers and create more connections between nonprofits seeking board members and Alaskans interested in serving. Our commitment to strengthening governance and volunteer leadership across the state remains ongoing.
Feb 23, 2023From Bias to Belonging Launched
After nearly two decades of work in this area, Foraker developed the
From Bias to Belonging suite of services in response to growing interest from nonprofits seeking to create more welcoming workplaces and boardrooms. These services help organizations build environments where employees, volunteers, and community members feel valued, respected, and included while strengthening their ability to serve their communities.
May 17, 2026Prompt Payment Legislation Advances
We championed
bipartisan legislation in partnership with the Alaska Municipal League to ensure timely payments to nonprofits, tribes, and local governments delivering services on behalf of the state. While the legislation passed both the Alaska House and Senate, it was ultimately vetoed by the governor. Our work to improve the systems and policies that support Alaska’s nonprofit sector continues.
25 milestones in 25 years is just the beginning.
Many of you know Foraker as a provider of services and resources, a partner standing beside you during times of crisis, or simply a place to turn when you need support. You may know us for our work to strengthen systems and structures, or as an organization committed to removing barriers so more people can work, volunteer, and give to the causes that matter most to them.
However you have connected with us over the years, please know that we are grateful for every relationship, every conversation, and every opportunity to serve alongside you.
We look forward to many more years of standing beside Alaska’s nonprofits and tribal organizations as we continue building stronger communities together.
