Reimagining the Council

At the Council on Foundations, we pride ourselves on being a learning organization – one that continuously seeks to understand, reflect, and evolve. It’s in that spirit that we introduce our upcoming member survey. All of our members have received invitations to participate from our research…

The Council on Foundations’ Executive-in-Residence Program leverages the expertise of executive-level leaders to shape new areas of work that advance the Council’s long-term goal of supporting philanthropy to be a trusted partner in advancing the greater good. Participants in the…

*/ Last July, the Council on Foundations convened a group of community foundation leaders to develop a set of principles and policy recommendations to strengthen how community foundations use donor-advised funds (DAFs). The Strengthening Community Philanthropy Ad Hoc Working Group was made up of…

Like many leaders of private foundations, I have strong beliefs about the importance of growing philanthropy in ways that build trust and advance equity in the field. That is why I am so appreciative of the work that the Strengthening Community Philanthropy Ad Hoc Working Group (the Working Group)…

Dear Friend: 2021 was an historic year in many ways, for philanthropy and for the people and communities we care about. It was a year of loss and heartache as families and communities continued to suffer the effects of the pandemic and many other hardships. It was a year of advocacy to advance…

We are in a moment of dramatic change and re-imagining, what my friend and futurist Ari Wallach calls “The Intertidal”: a significant shift in global human culture and narrative, where what has been gives way to what will be. As we witness this profound shift, we also bear the responsibility, as…

A few years ago, in my role guiding strategy and programs at the Democracy Fund, I took some time to explore the idea of “trust.” It was a construct that came up over and over again in conversations about democracy – for instance, do we trust elections to be safe and secure? What news sources can…

For over 70 years, the Council has supported philanthropy’s efforts to advance the greater good amidst persistent global challenges. Over the past 12 months we have faced crises unlike anything we have seen before, including the recent assault on our democracy. And yet, while the struggles we face…

On January 6, 2021 at the United States Capitol we witnessed inexcusable acts of violence and criminal behavior as a predominantly white mob attempted to disrupt the rightful certification of the results of a democratic election. This is an unprecedented moment in modern American history and one…

The Council hosted a series of virtual events inspired by some of philanthropy’s most important challenges and opportunities in our first-ever inaugural Member Week (December 3-7th 2020). These free events prioritized the need for Council members to connect and share insights and inspiration for…

The Council on Foundations joins all Americans in expecting a careful accounting of all votes and an expeditious and certain outcome in the 2020 Presidential election. Whatever the result, we are heartened by the historic turnout because a healthy democracy depends on robust participation from…

As 2019 comes to a close, I’m reflecting on my first year at the Council on Foundations. I’m proud of the strides we’ve made in forging strong relationships across the sector, moving our policy agenda forward, supporting the professional growth of members and reimagining both our membership model…

*/ Since joining the Council’s board last year, I’ve had the honor to support two pivotal decisions that will shape the organization’s future – selecting a new President & CEO and launching the Council’s new membership model. This is an exciting time for the Council on Foundations and I am…

*/ Several years ago, the Council on Foundations Board made a decision that I have felt for some time needed to be revisited. We voted to approve a new membership model that we thought would ensure long term financial health for the Council. The outcome of that decision, however, did not play out…

*/ As we continue our journey to Reimagine Council Membership, we recently convened six focus groups of current and former Council members to gather insightson the value of membership, and on our membership systems and dues structure. We came away with three clear findings that help us better…

Last month, we announced our work to Reimagine Council Membership and asked for feedback as we review Council membership and dues. More than 400 individuals – representing grantmaking organizations of different types, sizes, geographies, and member status – responded to our survey and shared ideas…