Community Foundations

Mission

The Advancement Network, Inc. ("AdNet"), an incorporated Michigan nonprofit, supports philanthropic services within community foundations nationwide. In 2012, AdNet was granted tax-exempt status as a public charity. AdNet's mission statement reads:
"AdNet's mission is to strengthen the resource development and donor service capacity of the community foundation field by offering AdNet members training programs and networking opportunities to exchange ideas and effective practices; creating a variety of forums to identify and discuss fundraising and donor services issues relating to staff, volunteers, and community foundations; supporting appropriate research opportunities relating to resource development and donor services; and representing the interests of members to other nonprofit membership groups, such as the Council of Foundations."

Membership

AdNet membership is available to (i) community foundations and (ii) nonprofit membership organizations including, but not limited to, regional area grantmaker associations, Council on Foundations, Council on Michigan Foundations, and independent sector  that have one or more staff members whose principal or primary responsibility within the nonprofit membership group includes assisting community foundations in providing philanthropic services.

A member community foundation or nonprofit membership organization can designate one or more staff or board members as an AdNet voting representative. The designee must have a principal or primary responsibility within the community foundation to provide philanthropic services or, in the case of a nonprofit membership organization, a principal or primary responsibility within the nonprofit membership group to assist community foundations in providing philanthropic services. Other consultants and vendors to community foundations may not be members of AdNet.

"Philanthropic services" encompasses activities including, but not limited to, fundraising, donor services, professional adviser relationships, and gift planning. Philanthropic services also include educational and training activities to or for its members and the public regarding the foregoing endeavors.

Membership eligibility is further defined by the governing documents of AdNet. Please contact an AdNet Steering Committee member if you have a question about membership.

FAQs

How do I join AdNet?

Membership applications and payment information is distributed annually on the AdNet e-mail discussion group hosted by the Council on Foundations. Please contact a member of the AdNet Steering Committee for a copy of the application.

How much are 2012 dues?

• $125 per person for foundations registering 1–3 qualified participants
• $100 per person for foundations registering 4 or more qualified participants

How are AdNet membership dues used?

• Attendance at the 2012 "AdNet Days" Conference on September 8–9, 2012, in New Orleans prior to the Council on Foundations Fall Community Foundation Conference
• Participation in free professional development webinars that cover topics meaningful to our profession. (The first webinar is scheduled for April 2012 and features "A Conversation About Successor Advisers," with other exciting webinars to follow!)
• Voting rights in AdNet Steering Committee member elections
• Representation and interactions with the Council on Foundations, Community Foundations Leadership Team, action teams, and other field-wide committees and initiatives
• Option to volunteer for AdNet programs and services
• Additional professional development benefits as they are designed and implemented
• Support from the AdNet governance structure and administrative costs (tax returns and other regulatory filings)

AdNet Membership is necessary for all purposes above. The AdNet e-mail discussion group is a service associated with Council on Foundations membership and is not related to AdNet membership.

Who should I contact with questions about the group and its activities?

Any member of the AdNet Steering Committee can answer questions about AdNet's structure, services, and activities.

2012 AdNet Steering Committee and Officers

Robin D. Ferriby, President
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

Ruben D. Orduña, Vice President
The Boston Foundation

Sarah Harrison, Treasurer
Denver Foundation

Lisa Jolley, Assistant Treasurer
The Columbus Foundation

Randy Balogh         
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County

Bob Eichinger
The Chicago Community Trust

Gerri Hobdy
Baton Rouge Area Foundation

Kimberly C. Kur
Arizona Community Foundation

Kevin E. Moore
The Erie Community Foundation

Lisa Pratt O'Mara
The Community Foundaiton Serving Richmond & Central Virginia

Lisa A. Shafran
Heritage Fund – the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County

Judy Sjostedt
Parkersburg Area Community Foundation

Jennifer Southard
Maine Community Foundation

David L. Westcott
Oregon Community Foundation