Resources

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

Alaska Board Match

Free.

An online match tool created to help nonprofits establish more diverse, inclusive and welcoming board rooms. This site also assists in pairing Alaskans ready to serve local nonprofits in need of the right board members at the right time.

Pre-Development

Free

Planning new facilities, expanding existing ones, or renovating requires specialized guidance and resources.

Alaska Funders Directory

Price: $200.00
Partner Price: $100.00

A curated list of more than 200 foundations, corporations, and other entities that have a history of supporting Alaska nonprofits and projects.

2024 Salary Report

Price: $325.00
Partner Price: $275.00

A report highlighting the findings of our 2024 research on compensation in Alaska’s nonprofit sector.

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 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 (238.7 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.
Example Board Development Committee Job Description (243.4 KB)
A sample job description for the members of the board development committee.
Example Of Board Member Job Description 10-9-2022 (180.3 KB)
Example of an Effective Job Description for Board Members
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)
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.
UnderDeveloped In Alaska 2023 Update (329.6 KB)
Executive Summary of Compass Point’s Underdeveloped: A National Study of Challenges Facing Nonprofit Fundraising and the Impact on the Sustainability of Alaska Nonprofits
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's 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.
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
Anti-Harassment Policy Example (709.4 KB)
Refer to this example to help develop an appropriate anti-harassment policy for your organization.
Ballot Measure 1 FAQs (314.1 KB)
The following questions were generated during an educational briefing held by Foraker in February 2025. Regulations from the Alaska Department of Labor will further
clarify the implementation of Ballot Measure 1. Additionally, DOL has a website and an FAQ that is a complement to this document.
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, otherwise known as a whistleblower policy.
Leadership Succession Plan, Table Of Contents (255.8 KB)
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.
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.
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.
Dissolving Your Nonprofit Checklist (127.2 KB)
Are you closing your nonprofit? Read this to be sure you don’t miss any steps that are required.
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.
Maintaining Compliance Annual Checklist (122.6 KB)
This document will help your organization do what is needed to protect against adverse legal actions.
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.
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.
Alaska Nonprofit Voter Engagement Guide (6.8 MB)
A guide to help nonprofits navigate election activities while remaining nonpartisan.
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 Workforce Shortage Snapshot, May 2023 (178.5 KB)
See the latest findings from the National Council of Nonprofits on reported vacancies in the Alaska nonprofit workforce.
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.
Nonprofit Capacity In Alaska 2024 (5.3 MB)
Survey data that details the capacity needs of Alaska nonprofits.
Nonprofit Economic Impact Report 2024 (1.8 MB)
The latest research on the economic impact of Alaska's nonprofit sector.
Northwest Nonprofit Capacity Survey 2024 (18.0 MB)
Survey data that details the capacity of nonprofits across the Northwest.
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.