Council on Foundations Announces Creation of Ethics Task Force
WASHINGTON, DC - The Council on Foundations announced today that it will convene a new task force in the coming months to lift up clear ethical standards for members and to underscore philanthropy’s profound responsibility to the greater good. This task force, chaired by Jamie Merisotis, president and CEO of Lumina Foundation, will act as needed to review member violations and oversee a sanctions process, as well as advise the Council on ethics-related programming and content.
“Trust is the most important currency in the relationship between grantmakers and the communities they serve,” said Council on Foundations President and CEO Kathleen Enright. “The Council is committed to supporting the philanthropic community in strengthening transparency and accountability, which are the building blocks of that trust. We believe an intentional, thoughtful approach to advancing ethical principles and holding members accountable is key for promoting responsible philanthropy.”
“I’m honored to help guide this deliberate effort to help philanthropy become the best version of itself,” said Merisotis, who is a past chair of the Council’s board. “As a foundation leader myself, I can’t overstate the need – now, more than ever – to ensure that we’re trusted partners in tackling the critical issues facing our communities."
The task force will include Council members, including members of the Council’s board of directors. The group will come together in March to put a charter in place and begin work to finalize a set of ethical principles and processes.
For more information, contact Nicole Bronzan, Vice President, Communications & Content, nicole.bronzan@cof.org.
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About the Council on Foundations
The Council on Foundations exists to help philanthropy be a trusted partner in advancing the greater good. Building on our 70-year history, we are charting a course where funders earn and maintain the public's trust by advancing equity, operating with high integrity, collaborating on broadscale challenges and serving as ethical stewards. Learn more about the Council and becoming a member by visiting, www.cof.org.
