Last week Foraker Group celebrated its 10th Anniversary. And just what makes our state nonprofit service center special or different? Three attendees of the celebration share their thoughts in this week's post.

Alaskans are accustomed to Foraker staffers and partners providing strong leadership and management in service to communities. But on Thursday, the organization embraced a different type of service.

Replacing their pencils and paper with plastic cutlery and plates, employees served up slices of chocolate cake to the nonprofit and tribal members gathered at The Foraker Group’s Mountain View home in celebration of the organization’s tenth anniversary.

A few of the attendees took a moment to reflect on the Foraker Group’s impact to Alaska.

Tim Delaney, president and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based, National Council of Nonprofits, was in town to celebrate the Foraker Group’s recent acceptance into the Council’s State Association Network. The Council serves as the national voice for its nonprofit members before Congress and within the Administration, promoting the interests of the nonprofit community and ensuring a seat at the table on all policy initiatives that impact the sector. Mr. Delaney was particularly impressed with the level of service provided by the Foraker Group.

 

Kit Gillem, program director at the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, also attended the event. The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has supported the Foraker Group from its inception. Mr. Gillem called the Foraker Group one of the Trust’s most successful investments.

Stephanie Berglund, chief executive officer of Alaska’s thread, a statewide child care resource and referral network of professionals who work individually with families and early educators, provided a partner organization’s perspective of Foraker services.

Now it’s your turn. What impact do you think The Foraker Group has had in Alaska? If you have any memories or comments you’d like to share about Foraker Group’s first 10 years, please share them here.