The Foraker Group

Many organizations face uncertainty from recent federal government changes. Our Rapid Response Office Hours are here to help you navigate this evolving landscape. We know a trusted thought partner can make all the difference—helping you get unstuck and move forward with clarity. Thanks to the generous support of the Rasmuson Foundation and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, we are offering free 45-minute consultations with our experts. You can sign up for a session on topics such as: Financial Scenario Planning Human Resources Scenario Planning Board Governance Collaboration and Mergers Not sure which topic fits your needs? Or have another topic in mind? Contact us – we’re here to help…. Read more »

The Johnson Amendment – Facing a New Threat to Charitable Nonprofit Nonpartisanship July 10, 2025 This week, the nation’s nonprofit sector has witnessed an overtly misguided effort by the Internal Revenue Service which places the long-held principle of nonprofit nonpartisanship in real jeopardy. Background A long-held core value of the charitable nonprofit sector – nonprofit nonpartisanship – is again being threatened by the federal government. In 1954, Lyndon B. Johnson, who was then a senator from Texas, introduced an amendment providing that in exchange for federal tax-exempt status, a charitable nonprofit, foundation, or religious organization may “not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.” What is sometimes referred to as… Read more »

The nonprofit sector is changing – more than the usual flux we expect for a sector that meets communities’ needs and responds to gaps that government either can’t or won’t fill. We expect that. We see that. But based on new federal policies and the state’s shifting priorities, changes will be and already are monumental. How it settles out is unclear. There are hundreds of lawsuits still to play out. The new federal budget bill will take years (in some cases until 2028) for the full impacts to be felt and many decisions are already taking their toll. In the article, It’s Personal: Why Nonprofits Matter to Everyone, we explored all the quiet ways nonprofits make our communities, our society, and our democracy work. Most people don’t notice but that’s… Read more »

We know many organizations are navigating uncertainty caused by changes in federal funding. Foraker is ready to stand beside you as you determine your next steps. Many of you joined us for our Financial Scenario Planning class in February and our Navigating Staffing Changes class in March. Over the coming months we will continue to offer free trainings, resources, and convenings we are calling “Rapid Response.” The next offerings will take place this summer, starting with the following webinars: Mergers, Acquisitions, Consolidations, Partnerships, and Everything In Between June 18 from 10:00 – 11:30 am Raising Revenue in a Crisis: Is It Even Possible? July 2 from 10:00 – 11:30 am Raising Charitable Dollars in a Crisis: What to Consider Now July 16 from 10:00 – 11:30 am  … Read more »

As part of our work as Alaska’s nonprofit association, Foraker pursues nonpartisan or bipartisan public policy initiatives with local, state, and federal governments. The first session of the 34th Alaska Legislature adjourned on May 20, 2025, and Foraker was actively involved with several key issues. During the session, legislators had critical conversations about the importance of nonprofits in our state. Those conversations began with the first “Lunch and Learn” of the session, which featured a presentation on our report Alaska’s Nonprofit Sector: Generating Economic Impact, to comments at a hearing on the impact of federal funding on the sector. And importantly, several Foraker public policy priorities were introduced as legislation. Following is a summary of the legislative outcomes. Prompt Payment Parity For many years, Alaska nonprofits, municipalities, and tribal organizations… Read more »

This conversation between Laurie Wolf (CEO, The Foraker Group) and Senator Lisa Murkowski was held at the 2025 Leadership Summit on April 14, 2025, at the Dena’ina Civic Convention Center in Anchorage, Alaska. The Leadership Summit is a nonprofit leadership conference held every two years by The Foraker Group. You can watch a video of their conversation here.  Laurie Wolf: We are so incredibly grateful that Senator Murkowski has taken the time to be with all of us today. Just so much gratitude for you and your staff. You’ve been so wonderful taking all of our phone calls, all of our emails, all of our “Oh my goodness, what’s happening next?” moments. Thank you so much. I know you have an amazing staff as well. So an extra shout-out to… Read more »

The place where your child stays safe after school or plays soccer or learns an instrument The place where your niece or nephew adopted their dog, cat, or guinea pig The place where your neighbor gets a bag of groceries to make ends meet every few weeks The place where your sister learns how to sing, dance, and perform The place where someone you love seeks refuge The place where your parents or grandparents seek daily elder care The place you call in an emergency The place where you get well The place you tune in to stay informed, entertained, and up to date The place where your auntie draws hope The place where your community worships, explores, and connects with like-minded people The place you turn to after a… Read more »

We invite you to read the letter below and sign on here. TO: Senator Lisa Murkowski Senator Dan Sullivan Representative Nick Begich RE: An Invitation to Stand with Alaska’s Nonprofit Sector DATE: April [11], 2025 As our Alaska representatives in federal policy we, the undersigned nonprofits, along with our partner The Foraker Group, request that you stand strongly with us as we endure an unprecedented amount of undoing of our vital programs and services that are designed to help all Alaskans. Looking past the rhetoric being used to defund and dismantle our programs, we invite you to look around and see that no matter where you live or how you move through your day, Alaska’s nonprofits are providing essential services like medical care, housing, fisheries management, emergency services, and utilities. We also bring joy… Read more »

As is my way, I am going to be honest. As a sector, we face a pretty difficult set of circumstances that are likely to get worse before they get better – and we are not alone. Hundreds of government agencies with which we partner are being dismantled without a strategic understanding of the impact on human life, our environment, or our economy. Simultaneously, we can see some who are incredibly hopeful about the possibilities of these changes. I am sure some would strongly disagree with both these views – such is the nature of democracy. We can do things that feel and impact people in diametrically different ways. Predominately, however, as I watch and listen every day to the stories of human impact and the depth of the legal… Read more »

For nonprofits, municipalities, and tribes receiving state payments through approved grants, contracts, and reimbursements, those payments must be made on time. If they are not, critical services to Alaskans are threatened. Organizations should not be expected to perform work and then have to wait unreasonable amounts of time to be paid – and that’s what has been happening for some time now. Today, Representative Rebecca Himschoot and Senator Scott Kawasaki introduced HB 133 & SB 129 in their respective chambers. The companion bills aim to bring parity in state payment on par with current statutory protections for private contractors who deliver public works projects. HB 133 & SB 129 ensure both state and federal pass-through funds are disbursed promptly to nonprofits, local government, and tribal organizations, benefiting the people of Alaska. Foraker is joining with the Alaska… Read more »