Board & Governance

Council Governance

The Council on Foundations is a national nonprofit association of more than 1,700 grantmaking foundations and corporations. The Council is governed by a board of directors which is elected by the Council’s membership. In addition, the Council board includes five ex-officio board members: the president & CEO, the chair of the Committee on Family Philanthropy, the chair of the Corporate Committee, the chair of the Community Foundations Leadership Team, and a representative of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers.

Council activities and operations are guided by organizing documents and various policies—some of which are listed below. In addition, committees and task forces are a vital part of our organization and are entrusted with giving the Council sound advice and guidance on how to best implement board decisions. In doing so, these groups assist the Council and the field in moving forward.

• Council History
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Bylaws
• Call for Nominations to the Board of Directors
• Statement of Ethical Principles
• Conflict of Interest Policy
• Confidentiality Agreement
• Resolutions at the Annual Meeting of the Members
• Whistleblower Policy
• Sanctions Process for Members
• Policy on Committees and Task Forces
• Policy on Inclusiveness