Last week, we were lucky enough to get to talk to the President of The Foraker Group Laurie Wolf! The Foraker Group is a 501(c)3 non-profit that basically supports all other non-profits. They provide consulting, classes, backroom services, fundraising expertise, sustainability, grant writing help, you name it. The previous CEO, Dennis McMillian, taught a community service class here at the university with his book, "Focus on Sustainability" which is well worth a read!

Laurie brought materials with her, including a pie chart showing total U.S. dollars given in 2015, to the tune of $373.25 billion. Individuals gave 71% of that amount, while corporations gave 5% (mostly in-kind donations of drugs, technology, samples, and plain ole stuff.) It was insightful!

Her emphasis of a healthy donor culture was invaluable. We discussed how the ideal division of labor should be 30% research of your donor base, 30% relationship building, 10% making requests, and 30% recognition/reporting. In Laurie's experience, Alaskan non-profits are spending WAY too much of their time making requests!

We will get around to introducing the class better, but in the photo below, left to right: Dr. Judy, Caitlin, Laurie Wolf, Mark, and AJ.