AGB President & CEO Update: Advancing Governance Integrity and Accountability

You are viewing the Institutionally Related Foundation version of this CEO Update. An Institutions and Systems version is also available.

This month, AGB is advancing a set of initiatives that go to the heart of our mission: strengthening governance to ensure institutional quality, accountability, and public trust in higher education.

Two efforts in particular reflect both the urgency of the moment and the opportunity before us: a national governance integrity framework and our continued leadership on the evolving role of governing boards in accreditation.

Higher Education Governance Integrity Initiative

Last month, AGB announced a major step forward in strengthening boards across the country. The Higher Education Governance Integrity Initiative is a national governance framework designed to reinforce the effectiveness, clarity, and integrity of governing boards across the country.

The nonpartisan framework involves five policy recommendations that we call on all states to adopt:

Strengthening trustee selection
Modernizing trustee education
Establishing fiduciary certification
Reforming nomination processes
Preparing board chairs for their unique leadership responsibilities

We are now working with governors, legislators, and higher education leaders nationwide to promote the adoption of this framework as a proactive step toward preserving institutional autonomy and stability, and restoring public confidence.

How You Can Help

State policymakers are far more likely to engage when they hear directly from leaders in their own state.

AGB members can help move this forward:

Share the policy recommendations with key contacts. Forward the recommendations to legislators, governor’s office staff, or system officials you know.
Offer to connect your key contacts with AGB. We will brief policymakers, provide context, and serve as a neutral resource.
Raise this in your networks. Flag this issue with peer institutions, associations, or coordinating boards in your state.

Defining Governance in Accreditation Reform: Why It Matters for Foundations

In our recent community comment letter on the proposed Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) regulations, we emphasized a principle that is central to AGB’s work: governance is foundational to institutional quality, accountability, and student success.

The proposed rule raises important questions about the respective roles of states and accreditors in overseeing governance. AGB strongly supports maintaining a clear distinction:

States establish governance structures and legal authorities.
Accreditors evaluate how effectively governance structures function in practice.

Our concern is that, without clarification, the proposed language could unintentionally limit accreditor review of governance effectiveness, including areas such as board oversight, financial stewardship, and institutional accountability. These issues are central to institutional performance and public trust.

We have urged the department to preserve accreditor responsibility to assess governance effectiveness while respecting state authority over governance structures. Getting this balance right is critical, not only for regulatory clarity but for ensuring that governance remains a meaningful component of quality assurance in higher education.

AGB Resources to Support Foundation Boards

AGB offers a range of resources specifically designed to support foundation governance:

Foundation Board Assessments—Tailored services to strengthen governance structures, clarify roles, and enhance board effectiveness.
Board Member Orientation—Self-paced learning program focused on fiduciary responsibilities, fundraising oversight, and strategic alignment.
Institution–Foundation Partnership Toolkit—Guidance on foundation governance, board–institution relationships, and best practices in philanthropy.
Foundation Board Members as Strategic Advocates—A tool that highlights the importance of foundation board member advocacy and provides sample talking points for advocating on behalf of your institutions.
Institute for Board Leaders and Chief Executives—Facilitated small group convenings for the CEO, board leader, and institution president to collaborate and strengthen governance, alignment, and strategic partnership.

We encourage you to engage with these resources as you continue to strengthen your governance practices.

A Defining Moment for Higher Education Governance

Amid shifting external pressures and evolving policy conversations, it is essential that governing boards are informed, steady, and grounded in long-term purpose rather than swept up in short-term political dynamics. AGB remains committed to supporting foundation leaders in this work and to elevating the role of foundations as vital contributors to the strength and success of higher education.