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The Foraker Group calls on the 2016 legislature to enact a long-term fiscal plan that is comprehensive, promotes strong rural and urban communities, and protects Alaska’s most vulnerable populations, education, and cultural life.
When considering all the proposed expense cuts and revenue options currently presented, legislators should recognize the positive impact of the nonprofit sector on the state’s economy and the cost savings the sector provides to the state budget. A fiscal plan should not depend on a single sector to sustain it, and all options should be determined based on fairness, equity, and ability to pay.
According to Laurie Wolf, Foraker President and CEO, it’s important for legislators to understand the value nonprofit organizations bring to Alaska communities.
“Alaska nonprofits improve the quality of life for all Alaskans,” she said. “Nonprofits serve our citizens in ways that are not supported by commercial endeavors. And they fill the gap between government services and essential community needs.”
Foraker Governance Board Chair Elizabeth Ripley, who is also Executive Director of the Mat-Su Health Foundation, pointed out that Alaska nonprofits have a significant impact on the state’s economy.
“Nonprofits account for $6.5 billion in direct expenditures into the Alaska economy,” Ripley said. “Nonprofits contribute to 63,000 jobs, totaling $2.5 billion in wages and salaries. They account for 12% of the statewide workforce and more than 50% of jobs in rural Alaska.”
Wolf continued, “Alaska’s nonprofit sector is effective and efficient. We save the government valuable resources of time and money. Our values-based budgets focus on bettering communities while maximizing resources – creating a double bottom line.”
Ripley said that Alaska nonprofits are part of the solution to the state’s fiscal challenge and provide an important and unique voice to the discussion.
“Nonprofit organizations are present in virtually all communities around the state,” Ripley said. “As the state’s nonprofit association, Foraker has been holding discussions around Alaska to gather the perspectives of nonprofits. We are available and willing to connect the legislature to the nonprofit sector.”