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You are viewing the Institutionally Related Foundation version of this CEO Update. An Institution and Systems version is also available.
Foundation leadership has never been more challenging or more essential. Chief executives, board chairs, and board members are navigating volatile markets, growing philanthropic competition, political polarization, oversight, and increasing public scrutiny of higher education. Against this backdrop, one factor consistently determines whether foundations thrive or falter: the strength of the relationship and alignment between the chief executive, board chair, and board.
During my years as a trustee, I worked with several foundation leaders, and I previously led a community college foundation where I continue to serve. These experiences reinforced a fundamental truth: alignment between the chief executive and the board is critical. When alignment exists, foundations advance their missions with clarity and focus. When it breaks down, the entire enterprise feels the consequences.
Governance as the Foundation of Success
Strong governance is more than a compliance exercise; it is the basis for foundation resilience and long-term impact. For chief executives, this means cultivating a partnership with the board chair and the board built on trust, respect, and open communication. For board members, it begins with embracing your fiduciary duties:
- Duty of Care: Prepare thoroughly and engage meaningfully.
- Duty of Loyalty: Act in good faith, speak with one voice, and avoid undermining trust.
- Duty of Obedience: Ensure actions are consistent with the mission, vision, and values of the foundation.
Understanding role clarity is incredibly important. Boards govern and chief executives manage. When each partner knows their lane, foundations can focus on big-picture strategy, generative thinking, and mission advancement, not micromanagement. This is also about the importance of understanding and aligning with institutional mission, vision, strategic priorities, the student body, educational outcomes, impact in the community, and the like. It is in this deeper understanding and engagement that foundation board members can best perform their duties and champion the institution effectively across their communities.
Why This Matters Now
A changing and uncertain regulatory landscape and pressure to provide increased funding for institutions challenged by changes in student aid, loss of revenue from international students, other enrollment challenges, and cuts in federal funding will require that foundation boards and chief executives are aligned, strategic, and, most importantly, mission driven.
Doubling down on effective governance principles is not optional; it is essential. Foundations that thrive will be those where chief executives and boards understand their shared responsibilities, respect their distinct roles, and work together to lead with courage and focus.
AGB Resources
Effective governance depends on a strong, trust-based partnership between the chief executive, board chair, and the institution president. This triad forms the foundation of organizational stability, strategic leadership, and mission-driven decision-making. AGB exists to help you build and sustain these essential relationships. We offer a range of programming and resources to help strengthen these critical relationships and work in concert to advance the foundation.
- Institute for Foundation Board Leaders and Chief Executives: An institute that brings together a small cohort of teams consisting of foundation CEOs and chairs-elect for a retreat-style program that guides participants through an interactive process to develop a shared action plan to strengthen board-CEO partnerships and elevate governance practices.
- 2026 Foundation Leadership Forum: Our flagship conference where foundation presidents, board chairs, and board members connect, learn, and strategize together.
- Board Chair-President Relations: Strong and Balanced, but Not Exclusive: A blog post that encourages broader engagement beyond the top two roles.
- The Importance of Communication Between Board Chairs and Presidents: Tips for building trust through consistent dialogue.
- Anatomy of Good Board Governance in Higher Education: A practical framework to assess and elevate board effectiveness.
- Board Workshops and Retreats: Facilitated sessions designed to strengthen the relationship between the chief executive, board chair, and board through shared learning, open dialogue, and trust building.
- A President’s Guide to Effective Board Leadership: Proven strategies to engage and empower your board.
- Board Chair-Presidential Relations (FAQs): Quick insights into one of the most critical leadership dynamics.
As you reflect on your own leadership and governance practices this fall, I encourage you to ask: How aligned are we as a leadership team? Are we modeling the trust, clarity, and accountability our donors, partners, and communities expect of us?
AGB is here to support you in that work. Together, we can ensure that our foundations not only endure but thrive in service to higher education and the public good.
