Institutionally Related Foundations
Public college and university foundations are being called upon to raise increasing levels of private support for their affiliated institutions – trust management, bond issuance, and real estate development, for example. As foundations’ size and significance grows, they also are being challenged to strengthen their governance, stewardship, investment management, and accountability. AGB works to enhance foundation board governance by organizing meetings and programs for foundation leaders; publishing foundation-focused surveys, research, and books; and offering foundation-specific consulting to members.
Meetings and Programs
AGB Foundation Leadership Forum: The annual AGB Foundation Leadership Forum is the only national meeting that brings together foundation board members and senior executives to learn about emerging issues and share insights on best practice. 150 foundation board members and 165 foundation executives representing 100 foundations from 40 states participated in the 2010 Forum.
The 2011 Forum will include a special orientation workshop for first time board chairs and vice chairs designed to provide them with an understanding of the broad range of issues they will be called upon to address in their new roles and strategies for effective board leadership. The program incorporates presentations by nationally recognized thought-leaders in higher education governance, fundraising, and asset management as well as opportunities for peer-group discussion of special topics of interest. The 15th Annual AGB Foundation Leadership Forum will take place January 23-26, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Resort Coconut Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Meeting of Foundation Legal Counsel: Registration for the 2010 Meeting of University Foundation Legal Counsel is open. The meeting will take place September 22-24 at the Millennium Harvest House in Boulder, CO. The program will start at 1:30 on Wednesday, September 22 and wrap up at 10:30 on Friday September 24. The discounted room rate is $134 per night. Reservations must be made by August 22, 2010 to receive the group discount. The hotel is heavily booked so please make your reservation early. If you would like to register for the meeting please send an e-mail to Jessie Oplak, Registrar, at jessicao@agb.org or call (202) 776-0840.
Download the agenda.
AGB Social Networking: AGB offers three different list-serves and other resources and programs for foundation chief executives, foundation legal counsel, and foundation board professionals. These online discussions provide an opportunity to canvass peers and share information as issues and questions arise. Contact us to join.
Surveys, Research, and Books
AGB’s publications are designed to identify best practice and provide foundation boards and staff with information to support organizational benchmarking, decision making, and strategic planning. 2010 research projects include:
Foundation Board Composition and Governance: AGB will soon publish findings from a survey of foundation board composition and governance practices. A comparable study has not been conducted since 1995, and since that time significant changes have taken place in the scope of foundation activities as well as standards and best practices for the governance of exempt organizations. The report will provide data on foundation board size and demographics, frequency and length of meetings, and board participation in fundraising and other functions.
Endowment Spending and Governance Practices under UPMIFA: In the spring of 2010, the Association of Governing Boards, in partnership with Commonfund Institute, surveyed 207 institutions in states that have adopted the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA), collecting information about current and prior spending and governance practices. The survey suggests that UPMIFA has enabled institutions to provide ongoing support for endowed purposes during a period of unprecedented financial hardship. It documents significant changes in spending practices following enactment of UPMIFA and suggests that boards may also be adapting other aspects of endowment management in response to the market events of the past two years and changing fiscal circumstances. UPMIFA has been adopted in 46 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more about UPMIFA and download a report of the 2010 Survey on Spending and Management of Endowments under UPMIFA and related resources.
Foundation Board’s Role in Fundraising: AGB is collaborating with Michael Worth on research on foundation boards’ roles in fundraising -- how public institution fundraising is evolving, the role foundation board members play in supporting advancement programs, and best practices to enhance both institution- and foundation-led development.
View more foundation-specific reports, surveys, and publications.
Consulting Services
AGB's consultants provide experienced, independent counsel to help foundations respond to new challenges. AGB Consulting services for foundations include:
- Workshops enabling board members to focus on core responsibilities, address complex challenges, and advance strategic governance priorities;
- Speakers on specialized topics for board meetings, orientations, and retreats;
- Board self-study workshops and board assessment service;
- Comprehensive consulting services to address fundamental strategic challenges that might include enhancing relationships with the institution, strengthening governance practices and board engagement, building fundraising capacity, and planning for leadership transitions;
- Consultant-on-Call service providing foundation CEOs and board members with complimentary access to an AGB consultant for confidential discussion of specific issues or concerns.
Learn more about AGB Consulting for Foundations.
