Resources

As your nonprofit state association, we are here to provide resources to strengthen your organization.

Focus on Sustainability: A Nonprofit’s Journey

Price: $14.99

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

Salary Report

Price: $375.00
Partner Price: $275.00

A report highlighting the findings of our 2020 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
Alaska Nonprofit Boards Meeting And Voting Electronically, A Primer (201.3 KB)
This document helps to answer two common questions we receive: can our board meet electronically, through a program like Zoom or Skype? and can our board vote on a question by email?
Board Chair Job Description (137.2 KB)
A sample board chair job description.
Board Committee Guidelines (182.2 KB)
A guide in developing the activities of a task force or ad hoc committee.
Board Development Committee Job Description (174.7 KB)
A sample job description for the members of the board development committee.
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 Member Job Description (187.6 KB)
A sample job description for your board members.
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.
Using Mission Moments To Connect Your Team (181.2 KB)
Mission moments set the stage for everyone in the room to get grounded to the mission and the agenda of the meeting. Here are some options for crafting your mission moment.
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.
Social Media Guidelines (203.3 KB)
Social media serves multiple uses for an organization. Here are some guidelines.
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.
Foraker's Indicators Of Financial Crisis (171.2 KB)
Use this checklist to spot potential financial problems before they send your organization into crisis.
Foraker's 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.
Questions to Ask Before a Special Event (139.3 KB)
Considering these questions will help you determine if your event is focused on mission, values, and goals.
The Role of Board Members In Fundraising (170.6 KB)
Ways for boards to reach the goal of 100% participation in fundraising for their organization.
Tipping and the IRS Public Support Test- A Simple Primer (140.6 KB)
“Tipping” occurs when a donor, other than another charity, makes so large a grant to a publicly
supported charitable nonprofit that it fails the IRS public support test. This primer covers the consequences and possible solution to tipping.
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
Culturally Aware Project Methodologies (133.5 KB)
Outline of Foraker's project protocols for working with Alaska tribes.
Foraker Group Theory Of Change (1.3 MB)
Our Theory of Change articulates the way we work with organizations, their leaders, and the sector as a whole, as well as the outcomes we expect at various points of engagement.
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.
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.
Human Resources
2020 Foraker Salary & Benefits Report, Executive Summary (0.0 B)
This report highlights the findings of our 2020 research on compensation in Alaska’s nonprofit sector.
Anti-Harassment Policy Example (709.4 KB)
Refer to this example to help develop an appropriate anti-harassment policy for your organization.
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)
A template for creating your organizations Employee Protection Policy.
Gender Pay Gap, Resources For Taking Action (216.1 KB)
Explore these questions with your team as you address the gender pay gap and check out additional resources that are available.
Managing Layoffs, Furloughs, And Reductions In Force (823.3 KB)
A guide to managing a sudden reduction in staff.
Sharing Your Personal Diversity Story At Work, Tips And Reminders (185.8 KB)
Sharing personal stories about one’s own diversity and experience with equity and inclusion set the stage for everyone in the room to get grounded to the real world experiences of why diversity, equity, and inclusion matters. Here are some tips and reminders.
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.
Take Action to End the Gender Wage Gap (184.1 KB)
Start your journey to close the gender pay gap with these eight steps you can take today.
The Gender Pay Gap In Alaska's Nonprofit Sector 2020 (551.7 KB)
Our latest report highlights data about Alaska's nonprofit sector pay gap and eight steps your organization can take to promote pay equity.
Tips For Reviewing Your Employee Handbook With A DEI Lens (190.1 KB)
This document is about reviewing your words, policies, and practices – those that exist and those that are missing through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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.
Business Planning Guide (767.0 KB)
This guide outlines the basic components of a nonprofit business plan.
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 Nonprofit (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
Alaska Counts Executive Summary - Recommendations for 2030 Census (136.3 KB)
This summary recaps lessons learned from Alaska Counts, a statewide, multi-sector, nonpartisan education initiative spearheaded by the Alaska Census Working Group in preparation for the 2020 Census.
Alaska Counts Final Report (2.5 MB)
This report recaps our work in Alaska leading up to the 2020 Census, with the hope that this information will preserve critical knowledge and inform future Census related efforts in our state.
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 Business & Foundation Philanthropy Survey, 2017 (1.0 MB)
A summary of findings from a survey conducted on corporate giving programs and foundations in Alaska.
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.
Economic Report Summary, 2018 (116.3 KB)
Highlights from the full report.
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.
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.
The Gender Pay Gap In Alaska's Nonprofit Sector 2020 (551.7 KB)
Our latest report highlights data about Alaska's nonprofit sector pay gap and eight steps your organization can take to promote pay equity.
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.