The Foraker Group

As Alaska’s nonprofit state association, we connect with policy makers, businesses, and other nonprofits to highlight the positive impacts nonprofits have on our state. Positioning the sector as a credible voice is a role we take seriously. Each year a joint committee representing Foraker’s Governance and Operations Boards analyzes issues affecting the Alaska nonprofit sector. In addition to ensuring that we are nonpartisan, Foraker’s Public Policy Committee uses four criteria (see How does Foraker decide which issues to focus on?) to analyze issues and recommend annual priorities. We are excited to work together on reaching our 2023 advocacy objectives. We invite you to join us in advocating for the following issues that have an impact on your mission and the sector – you can learn more about each of these objectives here…. Read more »

In any given year, or month, or day we face challenges to doing our missions well. These challenges aren’t new, but the tsunami of so many hitting at the same time prevents us from performing at the level our missions require – and that must change. It was with these thoughts in mind that I addressed the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee last month. I briefed legislators on the contributions nonprofits make to the Alaska economy, along with some of the challenges facing the sector and actions they can take to help us meet these challenges. I encourage you to listen to this recording of the committee hearing. Questions after my presentation provide important insights to how the committee members think about the issues facing Alaska. In my testimony I… Read more »

If you’re considering applying for federal funds or have general questions about federal funding resources, we’re offering individual appointments with Zoe Olson, our Federal Funding Navigator. In these sessions, Zoe can help you navigate technical application questions and connect you with resources for learning about federal grant opportunities and grant writing resources as well as general questions about reporting and compliance. Use our contact form to inquire about scheduling a 30 minute meeting. Please include a few sentences about your interest in federal grants…. Read more »

As a nonprofit employee or employer, you are making a difference every day. That service to others may make you eligible for a limited-time program to have your federal loans fully forgiven. But nonprofit employees need to act before October 31 to take advantage of this temporary waiver. Not to be confused with the recent debt forgiveness announcement, this temporary waiver means that, even if you were rejected for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) previously or had made payments that someone said didn’t qualify, you now may be much closer to having your loans fully forgiven. This limited waiver expires on October 31. Check your eligibility today! More Information: Good News for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Borrowers by Tiffany Gourley Carter details steps to take depending on the type… Read more »

A vendor for the Municipality of Anchorage mistakenly sent out property tax invoices recently to nonprofits that are exempt from the tax. Organizations that received the notices are advised that new invoices are being prepared that will show no tax due. If you have questions, call the Assessor’s office at 907-343-6500…. Read more »

When our existence feels so deeply divided, finding words that don’t further deepen the chasm is exhausting. My desire on any given day to scream, cry, laugh, sing, celebrate, or mourn in the public square feels equal parts impossible and required. This is not just my life but the life of my peers who are leading organizations that serve the whole community – those they personally align with and those they don’t. This is the choice to lead a nonpartisan nonprofit – to honor the Johnson Amendment that separates religion and money and to respect the boundaries of the charitable (c)(3) designation as defined by the IRS – all while taking a stand for mission. This is the challenge: to lead and be bold but not to alienate. And yet,… Read more »

Alaska nonprofits exist to serve diverse missions across the state. While some focus on specific neighborhoods or geographical areas or exist to support specific industries like trade or professional associations, others like chambers of commerce, labor unions, and workforce development agencies support networks of people and businesses. Together, these nonprofits serve as the backbone of Alaska’s businesses and government. One such nonprofit, the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA), brings together tourism businesses to offer networking and training opportunities, while advocating for the visitor industry as a whole. ATIA’s mission is to promote Alaska as a premier destination, which it does in part by managing the state’s tourism marketing program. When COVID-19 broke out, ATIA developed a partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), to distribute health and… Read more »

The nonprofit Yuut Elitnaurviat People’s Learning Center is the principle adult education and workforce training organization in Bethel, the hub for the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region. This vast area in southwest Alaska covers 75,000 square miles (around the size of South Dakota) and is home to over 26,000 people. The organization’s mission is to prepare residents for in-demand, high-wage jobs that are critical to the economy of the region. Its extensive work in career development extends from basic qualifications to specialized certification, both of which seek to increase the earning potential of residents and help fill open positions with qualified applicants. One of its leading programs is the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) course. Open nursing positions are a constant in the region, both in Bethel and the surrounding villages. Yuut Elitnaurviat’s… Read more »

We’ve all known that ranked choice voting was coming to Alaska, but not this soon. The passing of Congressman Don Young has accelerated the use of ranked choice voting in Alaska by a few months, and like all of our fellow Alaskans we need to know more so we can participate fully in this special election. Alaska nonprofits have an important voice in shaping public policy, in part through the ballot box. Nonprofits can break down barriers to civic engagement by demystifying the process, providing language access, and by using our trusted voice to cast a wider net of engagement. Ultimately, when we all vote, we all win. If you missed our webinar on ranked choice voting, you can find the recording here and can find more resources below. Alaska… Read more »

As Alaska’s nonprofit state association, we connect with policy makers, businesses, and other nonprofits to highlight the positive impacts nonprofits have on our state. Positioning the sector as a credible voice is a role we take seriously. Each year a joint committee representing Foraker’s Governance and Operations Boards analyzes issues affecting the Alaska nonprofit sector. In addition to ensuring that we are nonpartisan, Foraker’s Public Policy Committee uses four criteria (see How does Foraker decide which issues to focus on?) to analyze issues and recommend annual priorities. We are excited to work together on reaching our 2022 advocacy objectives. We invite you to join us in advocating for the following issues that have an impact on your mission and the sector – you can learn more about each of these… Read more »