Resources

The documents below are not intended as legal advice. Your organizational purpose, values, bylaws, and goals should drive creation of documents, policies, and procedures.

Focus on Sustainability: A Nonprofit’s Journey

Price: $25.00

An in-depth look at Foraker’s sustainability model and how you can use the concept in your organization.

Salary Survey

Price: $275.00
Partner Price: $175.00

A report highlighting the findings of our 2015-2016 research on compensation in Alaska’s nonprofit sector.

Alaska Funding Guide

Free for Foraker Partners.

This guide will help with your fundraising program.
Board Development
Board Meeting Agenda Template (143.4 KB)
Agendas will vary depending on the size of the board and issues it faces. This template provides an outline of how to build an agenda that will enable effective and efficient meetings.
Board Meeting Minutes Template (130.0 KB)
Board minutes should contain the decisions made during a meeting, along with the essential elements of the discussion that led to decisions. This template will help you capture the information that needs to be part of the record the board must maintain.
Board Recruitment Matrix (136.7 KB)
Do you need to bring new people onto your board? Filling out this matrix will ensure you recruit the right people for the next 3-5 years.
Checklist For Directors And Officers Insurance Policies (138.8 KB)
Does your organization need D&O insurance? This checklist will help you decide and guide you in deciding what should be covered.
Communication And Marketing
Communication Planning Process (113.7 KB)
A communication plan provides a roadmap to ensure that resources of the organization are used efficiently and effectively in reaching its goals. This document outlines the basic elements of a strategic approach to communication.
Policy For Responding To Media Inquiries Example (123.4 KB)
Does your staff know what to do if the media calls? This guide will help you develop a policy that clarifies who will talk and how you will prepare for an interview.
Steps To Re-brand Your Organization (173.1 KB)
An organization’s brand is one of its most important assets. If you are considering a rebranding campaign, this document outlines the basics steps you need to consider.
Finance
Administrative And Financial Policies Manual Guide (137.2 KB)
What is an Administrative and Financial Policies Manual and what should go in one? This guide provides a quick overview.
Audit Checklist (210.4 KB)
Prepare for your next audit with this checklist.
Example Fiscal Policies (165.4 KB)
Use this template to assist your organization in crafting fiscal policies.
Finance Glossary Of Terms (135.7 KB)
Get clear understanding of finance terms.
Indicators Of Financial Crisis (171.2 KB)
Use this checklist to spot potential financial problems before they send your organization into crisis.
Indicators Of Financial Crisis - Print Version (94.2 KB)
Use this checklist to spot potential financial problems before they send your organization into crisis.
Fundraising
Code Of Ethical Standards - AFP (57.9 KB)
The Association of Fundraising Professionals believes that ethical behavior fosters the development and growth of fundraising professionals. Review the AFP standards in this document.
Donor Bill Of Rights (63.4 KB)
This document from the four leading professional organizations in the fundraising arena is a "must read" for all development officers and staff.
Fundraising Bright Spots (5.6 MB)
This report from nationally known experts Jeanne Bell and Kim Klein outlines strategies being used by successful organizations in their individual donor fundraising.
Underdeveloped - Challenges Facing Nonprofits (751.5 KB)
This report by Jeanne Bell and Marla Cornelius takes a hard look at why organizations have a difficult time hanging on to their fund development staff and offers suggestions on how to change that trend.
Get To Know Us
Foraker Nonprofit Sustainability Model (134.3 KB)
We believe sustainability is an organization’s journey, not its destination. For many, this is a different way of thinking about the term. Our model captures our thinking and can help your organization make strategic decisions about sustainability.
Foraker Public Policy Priorities, 2018 (146.2 KB)
Supporting public policy that is beneficial to the nonprofit sector is a major focus for us – one we exercise as Alaska’s nonprofit association. You can review our policy priorities for 2018-19 here.
Human Resources
2016 Foraker Salary And Benefits Survey, Executive Summary (1.2 MB)
This report highlights the findings of our 2015-16 research on compensation in Alaska’s nonprofit sector. The summary of our research is available at no fee.
Document Retention Policy Example (131.1 KB)
Do you have a system for keeping track of important organizational documents? Refer to this example to help develop an appropriate document retention policy for your organization.
Employee Protection Policy Example (135.2 KB)
Staff Recognition Preference Worksheet (111.6 KB)
This short survey can help you better understand the recognition that employees in your organization would appreciate receiving.
Workplace Harassment Policy Example (118.3 KB)
Refer to this example to help develop an appropriate workplace harassment policy for your organization.
Planning & Structure
Articles Of Incorporation Example (126.0 KB)
This document provides a guide for developing your own articles of incorporation. We can also help you to ensure that you meet all necessary requirements.
Bylaws For Organizations With Members Template (198.7 KB)
Check this template, complete with handy tips, if you’re drafting bylaws for an organization that is built on membership.
Bylaws For Organizations With No Members Template (195.1 KB)
Check this template, complete with handy tips, if you’re drafting bylaws for an organization that will not have members.
Checklist For Dissolving Your Business (141.8 KB)
Are you closing your nonprofit? Read this to be sure you don’t miss any steps that are required.
Checklist For Maintaining Compliance (135.2 KB)
This document will help your organization do what is needed to protect against adverse legal actions.
Code Of Ethical Behavior Example (126.0 KB)
By consulting this document, you can ensure you haven’t missed any key considerations as you develop your own guidelines for ethical behavior.
Conflict Of Interest Policy Example (125.4 KB)
Refer to this example to help develop an appropriate conflict of interest policy for your organization.
Electronic Communication Policy Example (119.8 KB)
Check this document for assistance in developing your policies on access and disclosure of electronic communications such as email, telephone, and Internet.
Guidelines For Nonprofit Bylaws (124.4 KB)
Before you start drafting bylaws, check this document for ideas on what should be included.
Starting A Nonprofit? Read This First (152.1 KB)
This document outlines many points you may not have considered. If you’re interested in starting an organization, this will help you with your decision making.
Pre-Development Program
Alaska Libraries And Museums Report (714.5 KB)
A 2007 report on lessons learned from recent library and museum projects. Compiled for Foraker’s Pre-Development Program.
Breaking Ground - Annie E Casey Foundation (3.2 MB)
A comprehensive planning guide for health center capital projects.
Cost Containment Analysis and Evaluation for Selected Denali Commission Projects (465.5 KB)
This report outlines benchmarks that can be used to develop cost-effective projects in rural Alaska.
Infrastructure Needs of Alaska Museums and Capital Improvement Planning Guide (2.0 MB)
A 2014 report to help determine funding and technical assistance requirements for museum projects. Compiled for Foraker’s Pre-Development Program.
Pre-D Process Flowchart (120.0 KB)
Many steps exist to develop a truly sustainable capital project. Follow the flowchart in this document to better understand how to plan a successful project.
Preparing To Fund Your Capital Project In Alaska And Beyond (2.9 MB)
Raising funds for a capital project may be one of the biggest tasks an organization undertakes. This guide provides an overview of funding options that are available so you can decide what’s appropriate for your project.
What Is A Sustainable Capital Project (121.9 KB)
The right capital project can contribute to the sustainability of an organization while the wrong project can threaten it. This document explains the primary aspects of a sustainable capital project.
Public Policy
Nonprofit Analysis Of The Final Tax Bill (180.2 KB)
A review of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and its impact on nonprofits by the National Council of Nonprofits.
Staying Nonpartisan - Permissible Election Activities Checklist (55.4 KB)
Confused about what you can and cannot do related to elections? This guide will answer your questions.
Research
Alaska Nonprofit Capacity Report, 2016 (1.4 MB)
Reports Alaska-specific data on accomplishments, challenges, and capacity needs.
Alaska's Nonprofit Sector - Generating Economic Impact, Dec 2014 (1.5 MB)
Report goals: validate sector’s economic impact, activate the sector, monitor trends.
Alaska's Nonprofit Sector - Generating Economic Impact, Jan 2018 (1.1 MB)
Report goals: show sector as part of solution to state’s economic challenges and how it partners with government to deliver services.
Cullturally Aware Project Methodologies (133.5 KB)
Outline of Foraker's project protocols for working with Alaska tribes.
Economic Report Summary For Community Leaders, 2018 (101.6 KB)
Economic Report Summary For Nonprofit Leaders, 2018 (102.5 KB)
Summarizes full report with "call to action" for nonprofit leaders.
Economic Report Summary For Policy Makers, 2018 (103.2 KB)
Summarized full report with "call to action" for policy makers.
Fundraising Bright Spots (5.6 MB)
This report from nationally known experts Jeanne Bell and Kim Klein outlines strategies being used by successful organizations in their individual donor fundraising.
Making Connections - The Sustainability Model And Alaska Tribes (455.3 KB)
An assessment of how the sustainability model is helping Alaska Native tribes exercise tribal governance.
Northwest Nonprofit Capacity Report, 2016 (9.8 MB)
Reports on the progress stakeholders in our five-state region have made in creating a resilient nonprofit sector.
Pay Equity In Alaska's Nonprofit Sector, 2016 (87.8 KB)
This is the second time Foraker has included questions on gender equity in its Salary and Benefits Survey. You can review the results in this report.
Race To Lead - Confronting The Nonprofit Racial Leadership Gap (222.4 KB)
Report on barriers to people of color who aspire to leadership roles in the sector.
Underdeveloped - Challenges Facing Nonprofits (751.5 KB)
This report by Jeanne Bell and Marla Cornelius takes a hard look at why organizations have a difficult time hanging on to their fund development staff and offers suggestions on how to change that trend.