On Monday, April 30, 2018, the Community Foundations National Standards Board (CFNSB), a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations, announced four new board members.
Community Foundation Updates
Monthly updates on what is going on at the Council around our work with community foundations.
As we think about the future of the Council, I personally have been reflecting on the role the Council must play moving forward—not just what it’s been for the past 70 years, but the changing context that is shaping the future of community foundations.
As you read this, I’ve landed on the beautiful island of St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, to engage with community foundations, our federal partners, FEMA, and other associations to discuss how philanthropy helps this U.S. territory, as well as Puerto Rico, continue its recovery from the devastating hurricanes back in September.
I am deeply impressed by the relationships built in our field, sometimes from just one simple interaction at a Council event.
For some parts of the country, 2018 arrived in full force—with an arctic blast of frigid temperatures in the east and torrential mudslides in the west—all while tax reform brings new unknowns to our work.
As 2017 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how much I’ve learned from you this year. When I transitioned to the role of Director of Community Philanthropy in 2016, from running a community foundation in Indiana, it was extremely important to me that I spoke to community foundation leaders about the present and future needs of our field. My goal was to use what I learned to create a focused learning journey and connections to topics and issues that are important to you.
Next February in Mexico City, we will explore bold and innovative approaches to address the multifaceted issues impacting our local communities, highlighting how community foundations across North America are building sustainable and resilient communities that leave no one behind.
During this year’s Community Foundation Week, I’m reflecting on the innovative model of philanthropy that is the community foundation.
This month marks my 20-year anniversary of passing the bar and becoming an attorney, and sometimes I think I’ve heard it all when it comes to nonprofit law. Thank goodness for the Council’s community foundation members, who continually challenge me with unique and interesting questions, and give me the opportunity to crack open the Code books and learn something new on a daily basis.