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You are viewing the Institutionally Related Foundation version of this CEO Update. An Institution and Systems version is also available.
This is my first CEO Update since the AGB Board of Directors announced that I will serve as the association’s permanent president and CEO, and I want to begin by saying how grateful and honored I am to take on this role. At a time when higher education is under unprecedented pressure, AGB’s mission, and the leadership provided by foundation boards, has never been more critical or consequential.
I was especially thankful to begin this new chapter with the Foundation Leadership Forum (FLF), which concluded earlier this month. My sincere thanks to the foundation board members, CEOs, and senior leaders who joined us for an engaged and forward-looking convening—and our largest gathering of foundation leaders yet! Your thoughtful participation and willingness to share experience and perspective made the Forum a powerful reminder of the collective strength and strategic importance of the foundation community.
The conversations at FLF reinforced a clear and urgent message: strong, independent, and well-aligned foundation governance is essential to institutional resilience, sustainability, and public trust. As colleges and universities navigate a tsunami of pressures, foundations serve as indispensable stewards and strategic partners. The Forum underscored why fiduciary duty, governance fundamentals, clarity of roles, and strong alignment with institutional leadership must remain at the center of our work together.
Foundations as Strategic Partners and Stewards
I continue to hear from foundation leaders across the country about the increasing demands placed on their boards and organizations. Foundations are expected to move nimbly, protect donor intent, support institutional priorities, and manage risk, all while operating in an environment marked by political polarization, regulatory uncertainty, and heightened public scrutiny.
In this context, strong foundation governance is itself a form of advocacy. Independent, well-prepared foundation boards help safeguard institutional autonomy, reinforce fiduciary discipline, and ensure that philanthropy remains aligned with mission rather than momentary pressure.
AGB’s work with foundations is grounded in a core conviction: when foundation trustees clearly understand their fiduciary responsibilities, roles vis-à-vis the institution, and obligations to donors and the public, they are uniquely positioned to support presidents and institution governing boards in advancing long-term institutional priorities.
Alignment Between Foundations and Institutions
A recurring theme at FLF was the importance—and challenge—of sustained alignment between foundation boards and institutional leadership. Clear role definition, regular communication, and shared understanding of strategy are essential to avoiding mission drift, reputational risk, and governance friction.
AGB continues to emphasize leading practices that support this alignment, including:
- Purposeful onboarding and education for foundation trustees.
- Clear articulation of the foundation–institution relationship.
- Regular coordination and relationship building between foundation leaders, presidents, and governing boards.
- Governance structures that promote transparency, accountability, and trust.
When alignment is strong, foundations can serve as powerful enablers of institutional strategy and innovation.
Foundation Board Members as Strategic Advocates
Foundation board members bring distinct credibility as donors, stewards of philanthropic assets, civic leaders, and fiduciaries entrusted with advancing institutional mission and donor intent. When foundation trustees clearly understand their roles and responsibilities, they are uniquely positioned to reinforce public trust, support institutional leadership, and help sustain colleges and universities through periods of heightened complexity and pressure.
That is why AGB continues to emphasize equipping foundation board members to serve as informed, principled leaders and strategic partners, and provides governance resources tailored to the unique responsibilities of affiliated foundations.
To explore tools and resources that support effective governance and advocacy, please visit our Board Members as Strategic Advocates for Higher Education webpage.
Looking Ahead
The conversations at the Forum reinforced a message I will carry into the months ahead: foundations are indispensable to the future of higher education, and their effectiveness depends on principled governance, mission stewardship, and strong alignment with their related institutions.
AGB will continue to invest in resources, programs, and advocacy that support foundation leaders in navigating the environment for higher education leadership with confidence and clarity. We are honored to partner with you in this work and grateful for your leadership on behalf of the institutions and communities you serve.
Thank you for your continued engagement and commitment.
