2025 Foundation Leadership Forum

January 29–31, 2025
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
Washington, DC

Connect and build partnerships for success.

The 29th annual Foundation Leadership Forum, taking place January 29–31, 2025, in Washington DC, is all about raising our sights. The conference theme is “Foundations for Better Futures.”

  • Better futures for students
  • Better futures for institutions
  • Better futures for society

The AGB Foundation Leadership Forum, the only national convening of college and university foundation leaders, brings together over 650 foundation board members, chief executives, and other foundation and campus leaders and industry experts. The conference affords a unique opportunity for foundation trustees and staff leaders to focus on the fundamentals of foundation governance, learn from other foundations, build peer and professional networks, and explore emerging issues and innovative practices with sector leaders and industry experts.

Reasons to attend the 2025 Foundation Leadership Forum:

Better futures for students, institutions, and society will require long-term vision. The 2025 Forum encourages foundation and campus leaders to think about how their work will support the long-term success of students, foster more sustainable institutions, build long-term philanthropic relationships, and effectively steward endowments for current and future generations.

Unlike most professional conferences, the Forum is designed to be attended by teams including both foundation board members and foundation and institution staff leaders. The collective experience helps foundation volunteers and professionals develop a shared understanding of foundation leadership fundamentals, learn about evolving challenges and emerging and innovative practice, and identify strategies to elevate their foundations’ impact on their partner institutions and the students and communities they serve.

The Forum includes workshops focused on helping board chairs and chairs-elect prepare for and fulfill their special leadership roles. Other workshops provide guidance and resources for new and prospective foundation CEOs. Plenary and concurrent sessions throughout the program address principles of trusteeship, board assessment, committee responsibilities, and other factors critical to both board engagement and leadership.

More than 30 concurrent sessions and topical workshops provide insights on the full spectrum of foundation functions. Attendees learn about the ways other foundations are working to strengthen governance, enhance endowment management, grow fundraising, and gain insights on how they are innovating and providing strategic support to their partner institutions.

Curious about the Foundation Leadership Forum program?

Browse the 2024 schedule of events to learn more about the types of sessions, speakers, and networking opportunities the forum typically includes and see who attended.

Register as a group and save.

Early bird pricing is available through September 30, 2024. Register now to reserve your spot in Washington, DC.

Early Bird Rate
Individual Member*

$1,595

Early Bird Rate
Group**

$1,450

Regular Rate
Individual Member*

$1,795

Regular Rate
Group**

$1,695

Nonmember Rate

$2,495

*Member exclusive pricing.
**Three or more, members only. All members in the group must be registered at the same time. 

Key Dates

  • Early bird deadline: September 30, 2024
  • Deadline for cancellation: January 7, 2025

Registration and Cancellation Policy

This program is available only to registrants who are serving a higher education institution or foundation. Please contact registrar@AGB.org with any questions.

All cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to cancellations@AGB.org and will be processed after the meeting. Requests for refunds must be received by close of business on January 7, 2025, to receive a full refund minus a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued for registrants who cancel after January 7, 2025. If you are unable to attend, a substitute is welcome in your place at no additional charge. AGB is not responsible for cancellations due to airline disruption, inclement weather, COVID-19, or schedule changes.

Group Discounts: If a cancellation causes the group to fall below the required three registrations, the refund will be issued minus the discount benefit received by the original group.

Hotel Information

AGB has secured a room block at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, for Foundation Leadership Forum attendees at a group rate of $249. Once registered, attendees will receive a link to book their hotel reservations. Reservations must be made online through this link to receive the group rate.

Reservations by attendees must be received by 5:00 PM ET, Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

With thanks to our 2025 sponsors.

View our 2025 sponsors and see how you can support the Foundation Leadership Forum.

Contact.

Registration

AGB is committed to excellence in member service. Should you have questions about registering for the Foundation Leadership Forum, contact the AGB registrar.

Become a Member and Save

If you currently are not an AGB member but want to take advantage of member pricing, contact Matt Stevens, director of membership outreach.

Sponsorship

To learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Steve Abbott, senior director of partnerships.