Randy Royster Elected President of the Community Foundations National Standards Board

The Community Foundations National Standards Board has elected Randy Royster, President and CEO of the Albuquerque Community Foundation, as its new President. Royster will succeed Hugh Ralston in the leadership position. The Board oversees the management and administration of the National Standards for US Community Foundations™ (National Standards) program.

“National Standards are critically important to donors,” said Royster. “When people make a charitable gift, they are putting trust in their local community foundation. They are counting on wise investment management and that their charitable wishes will be honored. The National Standards Board confirmation assures every donor that this will be the case.”

The National Standards is a compliance program for community foundations. By applying for accreditation, community foundations demonstrate how they rigorously self-regulate their operations, investments, and programs above and beyond what the law requires. 

Royster, who is also trained as a lawyer, began his career in real estate, construction, and health care, before making the switch to the nonprofit world by becoming the President and CEO of the Albuquerque Community Foundation in 2005.

Outgoing President Ralston has served as the President and CEO of the Ventura County Community Foundation for the past 11 years and also sits on the board of the League of California Community Foundations. Ralston, as well as fellow Board Members Mary Jalonick and Paul Velaski, have completed their terms on the National Standards Board.

In addition to Royster’s election, The National Standards Board also approved several other moves this week, including the confirmation of three new members and the election of the executive committee. Diana Anderson, Janice Black, and Rebecca Carr will all be joining the board as new members, while the board has also elected Gay Young to be its Secretary and re-elected Hazle Hamilton as its Treasurer.

“National Standards are vital for the advancement of community foundations; they elevate the whole field to keep pace with the best practices of peer institutions,” said Vikki Spruill, President and CEO of the Council on Foundations. “I want to thank all of the outgoing board members for their dedication to the National Standards program and to improving the community foundation field.  I am confident that Randy and his new Board colleagues will continue to advance the Board’s vision of creating sound policies and practices for community foundations.”

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About National Standards

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations™ (National Standards) is a compliance program for community foundations. By applying for accreditation, community foundations demonstrate how they rigorously self-regulate their operations, investments, and programs above and beyond what the law requires.  For more information about National Standards accreditation, visit /content/national-standards-us-community-foundations