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Council on Foundations

@councilfoundations.bsky.social

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The Council cultivates a community of diverse, skilled philanthropic professionals who lead with integrity, serve as ethical stewards, & advocate for progress.

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Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 8d

Don't forget to mark your calendar for Building Together, May 4-7, 2026!

Registration will open soon. Be among the first to know by joining our early access list. cof.org/event/buildi...

SAVE THE DATES
Building Together 2026
The skills you need for the world we're in
May 4-7 Seattle
Council on Foundations

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 1d

“When rural communities have access to the right resources, I’ve seen them create innovative and effective solutions.”

Read more from Gary Wilmot of LOR Foundation in @insidephilanthropy.com. www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/rural-i...

Rural Innovation Can Lead the Way — If We Give It the Chance

As federal cuts hit rural places, Gary Wilmot of the LOR Foundation discusses how relatively modest support for often-overlooked rural innovators can pay dividends.

www.insidephilanthropy.com

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 5d

Help us shine a light on exceptional leaders and initiatives by nominating them for the 2025 Council Awards!

Council members can nominate visionary leaders, innovative organizations, outstanding corporate philanthropists, and bridge builders.

Nominations close December 1.
cof.org/program/coun...

Council on Foundations 2025 Council Awards
Recognizing excellence in philanthropy and honoring leaders who explore creative ways to advance the common good. SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 7d

The Better Stories, Better Language workshop series dives into our research with the Center for Public Interest Communications so you can tell more complex, robust stories about your organization’s work.

Don’t miss out. Register for all three workshops! cof.org/page/better-...

Training
Better Stories, Better Language
A Communications Workshop Series
October 30 | November 5 | December 3
Register Now

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 8d

Don't forget to mark your calendar for Building Together, May 4-7, 2026!

Registration will open soon. Be among the first to know by joining our early access list. cof.org/event/buildi...

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 12d

Every five years, Community Foundations National Standards conducts a full review with the help of volunteers from community foundations across the country!

Fill out the survey to provide feedback on the CFNS program and volunteer for the 2026 review committee. www.surveymonkey.com/r/3GC2VP7

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 14d

🤿Dive even DEEPER into the data.

The GSB Administrative and Program Expense Tables offer even more detailed breakdowns of data by grantmaker type, staff size, geographic location, and asset group.

cof.org/content/2025...

Council on Foundations
NEW!
2025 Grantmaker Salary & Benefits Report
The most comprehensive analysis on the composition and compensation of U.S. foundations in the field
Download your copy today

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 14d

The #BuildingTogether conference and the Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort helped shape the Goodwill Project – a local, living lab for civil discourse in rural Michigan.

Read more on the Council blog! cof.org/blogs/blog/2...

“If we are forgetting how to talk, we need tools that can help us remember. At our community foundation, we convene people regularly around grants and projects; why not also convene around our shared community and how we talk about important issues?”

Lola Harmon-Ramsey,
Director of Impact and Engagement
Fremont Area Community Foundation

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 19d

Highlighting reliable data from @candiddotorg.bsky.social in our storytelling and advocacy efforts made a real difference in helping lawmakers understand how restricting nonprofits would harm their communities.

Read more. candid.org/blogs/candid...

The power of data in advocacy: How we show the sector’s impact with numbers

Candid insights | Using data in advocacy, learn how National Council of Nonprofits, United Philanthropy Forum, and Council on Foundations conveyed the numeric impacts of H.R. 1 on the nonprofit sector...

candid.org

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 19d

Join the Council and Resetting the Table (RTT) for a training intensive designed to strengthen courageous and constructive communication across differences.

Applications are due October 24, and interviews will follow in early November.

Apply now! cof.org/page/communi...

Council on Foundations Resetting the Table Communicating Across Divides: A Facilitation Intensive Applications due October 24, 2025 Apply Now

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 21d

Reminder: These webinars are FREE for Council members and discounted for #leadinglocally2025 attendees – so reach out if you still need your attendee discount code!

Register now: cof.org/event/invest...

Investing in Constructive Journalism

How can philanthropy drive meaningful impact through journalism, without compromising journalistic independence and integrity?

cof.org

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 21d

Our Leading Locally All Year Long webinar series explores topics designed specifically for community foundations and place-based funders.

The next session, "Investing in Constructive Journalism," will be Tuesday, October 28, from 3 to 4 p.m. ET.

Register now: cof.org/event/invest...

Leading Locally All Year Long
A webinar series for community foundations and place-based funders
Council on Foundations

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 22d

📣 The 2025 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report is here!

Dive into the latest trends in full-time staff compensation, benefits, demographics, and more across U.S. foundations.

The full report is free to download for Council members, and survey participants. cof.org/content/2025...

1 1

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 22d

Short answer? Yes, foundations are sticking to their localization commitments despite current challenges in global philanthropy.

Read more in @devex.com. www.devex.com/news/with-us...

With USAID gone, do foundations still care about localization?

A year ago, localization was a watchword for everyone in the development sector. After the Trumpquake, does anyone still care?

www.devex.com

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 26d

In case you missed it, season three of the Funding Rural podcast hosted by Erin Borla kicked off last week.

Episode one was recorded live on the #LeadingLocally2025 plenary stage.

You can now watch the full session! www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h9c...

Leading Locally 2025 - Funding the Urban Rural Connection (Full Recording)

YouTube video by Council on Foundations

www.youtube.com

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 28d

Next week, join the HR Philanthropy Collaborative, a peer group led by Council members that we created to facilitate connections with human resources leaders nationwide.

Register now: cof.org/event/hr-phi...

Not sure if you’re a member? Reach out to our team at [email protected]

Council on Foundations
HR Philanthropy Collaborative
Connect with your peers across the country to strategize and share resources
October 8, 2025 | 3-4 p.m. ET
Register Now

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · 28d

2025 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report (GSB) Key Findings are here!

This is just a small fraction of the expansive data available in the 2025 GSB Report, which will be available next week.

Learn more and download. cof.org/content/2025...

Council on Foundations 2025 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report: Key Findings

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · Sep 25

Looking to connect with others working at corporate foundations and giving programs?

Join us on Monday, September 29, for our next Corporate Social Impact Staff Network call.

Council members can register here: cof.org/event/corpor...

Not a member? Reach out to our team [email protected]

Council on Foundations
Corporate Social Impact Staff Network
Join our member-only peer group for non-executive staff at corporate foundations and giving programs
September 29, 2025 | 2-3 p.m. ET
Register Now

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · Sep 24

After listening, researching, and consulting with the field, we’ve expanded our suite of legal resources to help community foundations prepare for—and respond to—threats that could shape the charitable sector's future.

Learn more: cof.org/center-commu...

Council on Foundations
Expanded Legal Resources for Community Foundations
Learn More

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · Sep 23

There’s still time for community foundation staff and board members to register for our FINAL Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) Fundamentals course of 2025!

Join us next week! cof.org/event/commun...

Council on Foundations
Virtual Training
Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) Fundamentals
September 29-30, October 6-7 | 1 - 4:30 p.m. ET
Register Now

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · Sep 22

Are you managing your foundation’s scholarship program?

Join us tomorrow, September 23, at noon ET for our Scholarships Exchange peer space!

Council members can register here: cof.org/event/schola...

Not a member? Reach out to our team at [email protected]

Council on Foundations
Scholarships Exchange
Join our new peer space for any foundation staff who manage and lead scholarship programs
September 23, 2025 | Noon - 1 p.m. ET
Register Now

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · Sep 15

It's never been more important to share stories about the profound impact of foundations, charitable giving, and the nonprofits they support!

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · Sep 15

“If you’ve ever adopted a pet, walked through a park, gone to summer camp, or attended college — you’ve relied on a nonprofit. Lose them, and you lose the fabric of daily American life.”

fortune.com/2025/09/07/n...

#GivingIsHereForGood #ShareTheGoodYouDo

Nonprofits: You’ll miss them when they’re gone | Fortune

Nonprofits cannot replace government. They have always served to complement the government and the private sector.

fortune.com

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · Sep 10

Reminder: These webinars are FREE for Council members and discounted for #LeadingLocally2025 attendees – so reach out if you still need your attendee discount code! cof.org/event/design...

Designing a Foundation for Both Place-Based and Systems Change

Learn how integrated organization design can power equitable impact and about tools you can apply in your own organization.

cof.org

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · Sep 10

Our Leading Locally All Year Long series explores topics specifically for community foundations and place-based funders.

The next session, Designing a Foundation for Both Place-Based and Systems Change, will be Thursday, September 18, from 2-3 p.m. ET.

Register now: cof.org/event/design...

Leading Locally All Year Long, A webinar series for community and place-based funders, Council on Foundations

Council on Foundations @councilfoundations.bsky.social · Sep 10

Funders often overlook the value and potential in rural communities because of a lack of understanding.

Hear from Northwest Area Foundation, and their grantee partners, about their work to foster connection and collaboration across differences in rural communities. www.nwaf.org/2025/09/02/h...

How Bridging Makes Allies of Rural Communities

There’s a fuller story about rural communities that includes their complexity, diversity, and overlooked potential.