Join us for the 2026-27 Career Pathways Program Information Session to learn more about applying to and participating in this program.

During this session expect to discuss:

• 2026-27 program schedule
• Curriculum
• Application Process
• Waldman Scholarship
• Program benefits, outcomes, and much more! 

Details to Note

• Come prepared with questions for the Q&A
• This session will be recorded
• Applications for the Career Pathways 2026 are due March 2, 2026.

For more information about Career Pathways leadership development program, visit cof.org/careerpathways or email educate@cof.org.

Join us for the 2026-27 Career Pathways Program Information Session to learn more about applying to and participating in this program.

During this session expect to discuss:

• 2026-27 program schedule
• Curriculum
• Application Process
• Waldman Scholarship
• Program benefits, outcomes, and much more! 

Details to Note

• Come prepared with questions for the Q&A
• This session will be recorded
• Applications for the Career Pathways 2026 are due March 2, 2026.

For more information about Career Pathways leadership development program, visit cof.org/careerpathways or email educate@cof.org.

Join the Council’s Legal Resources team for an in-depth look at the self-dealing rules applicable to private foundations under section 4941 of the Internal Revenue Code. This workshop will provide an analysis of the relevant rules and regulations governing transactions between private foundations and disqualified persons, including situations involving payment of compensation and expense reimbursement to disqualified persons, sharing employees between foundations and related companies, grants with the potential to benefit disqualified persons, and many more."

Join the Council’s Legal Resources team for an in-depth look at the self-dealing rules applicable to private foundations under section 4941 of the Internal Revenue Code. This workshop will provide an analysis of the relevant rules and regulations governing transactions between private foundations and disqualified persons, including situations involving payment of compensation and expense reimbursement to disqualified persons, sharing employees between foundations and related companies, grants with the potential to benefit disqualified persons, and many more.

As scholarship professionals, it can be challenging to navigate the world of complex financial aid systems and policies. The challenges increase when a student’s scholarship unintentionally reduces the amount of financial aid they receive from their college or university, resulting in a net-zero for the student; also called financial aid displacement.  
Join your peers for an engaging discussion on how you can better align practices to maximize support for students. We will share examples and exchange ideas to help ensure scholarships truly make a difference.  Bring your questions, insights, and curiosity as we explore:  

• What is financial aid displacement?  
• How does it impact students and families?  
• What are some solutions and practices to address scholarship displacement, without adding extra workload for administrators? 

After the session, stick around for an informal coffee chat (1:00-2:00 pm Eastern) to keep the conversation going and connect more personally with your community of scholarship professionals.

In 2026, we are launching a new virtual book club! We will be reading and discussing “Understanding the Phenomenon: A Qualitative Investigation of the McConnell Scholars Program.” Please reach out to Melissa Nolan (Engagement@cof.org) if you are interested in attending! 
 

Led by Council on Foundations staff and philanthropic leaders, this training will address policy advocacy strategies that support racial equity and effective practices. Participants will gain helpful tools and resources while networking with peers who are developing and implementing their foundation’s advocacy strategy.

Training Hours

• Tuesday, September 15: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
• Thursday, September 17: 1:00-5:00 pm ET

Participants will explore the following during the course:

The Big Picture

• Why engaging in policy advocacy is essential for foundations to achieve their goals
• A refresher on legal rules governing grantmaker funding and actions
• Inside the Foundation: Understanding staff roles and how to build internal support

Building understanding and support across the foundation for policy advocacy engagement

• How different staff roles across the foundation can support advocacy
• Characteristics of grantmaking that support effective policy advocacy
• Outside the Foundation: Working with others to advance policy 

Using all a foundation’s assets to advance policy

• Funding vehicles that support effective policy advocacy
• Building an effective relationship with nonprofit partners and grantees to advance advocacy
• Appropriate evaluations of partner contributions
• Real-life Challenges and Action Planning

Who Should Attend

• Private foundation staff with a basic understanding of policy work.
• Foundation staff of all experience levels that incorporate policy advocacy into their work - such as those in leadership, communications, grants management or strategic planning.

Please note, this course is limited to foundation staff and Board members only.

Group Rate

Trainings are designed to be taken individually at a personal workstation, not in a group setting. Registration rates are per person. Group rates are for Council Members that send 5-7 people from one organization, each person must be registered individually to attend. Email educate@cof.org to register a group. 

Cancellation Policy 

All registration cancellations must be submitted in writing to educate@cof.org. All cancellation refunds before August 15, 2026 will incur a 25% administrative fee per registration. No refunds will be provided after August 15, 2026.

Led by Council on Foundations staff and philanthropic leaders, this training will address policy advocacy strategies that support racial equity and effective practices. Participants will gain helpful tools and resources while networking with peers who are developing and implementing their foundation’s advocacy strategy.

Training Hours

• Tuesday, April 21: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
• Thursday, April 23: 1:00-5:00 pm ET

Participants will explore the following during the course:

The Big Picture

• Why engaging in policy advocacy is essential for foundations to achieve their goals
• A refresher on legal rules governing grantmaker funding and actions
• Inside the Foundation: Understanding staff roles and how to build internal support

Building understanding and support across the foundation for policy advocacy engagement

• How different staff roles across the foundation can support advocacy
• Characteristics of grantmaking that support effective policy advocacy
• Outside the Foundation: Working with others to advance policy 

Using all a foundation’s assets to advance policy

• Funding vehicles that support effective policy advocacy
• Building an effective relationship with nonprofit partners and grantees to advance advocacy
• Appropriate evaluations of partner contributions
• Real-life Challenges and Action Planning

Who Should Attend

• Private foundation staff with a basic understanding of policy work.
• Foundation staff of all experience levels that incorporate policy advocacy into their work - such as those in leadership, communications, grants management or strategic planning.

Please note, this course is limited to foundation staff and Board members only.

Group Rate

Trainings are designed to be taken individually at a personal workstation, not in a group setting. Registration rates are per person. Group rates are for Council Members that send 5-7 people from one organization, each person must be registered individually to attend. Email educate@cof.org to register a group. 

Cancellation Policy 

All registration cancellations must be submitted in writing to educate@cof.org. All cancellation refunds before March 21, 2026 will incur a 25% administrative fee per registration. No refunds will be provided after March 21, 2026

Training Hours

• Tuesday, September 29: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET
• Thursday, October 1: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET

Throughout the training, sessions will include:

• Insight from Council's top-notch legal team that interacts with nearly 2,000 foundation leaders each year
• Trends spotted by our broader team, including National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations
• Timely, relevant take on the basics that informs day-to-day business decisions and operations
• Expertise to advance your knowledge of the organization's inner workings--from admin to governance, donor stewardship to grantmaking.

With each session, there will be time for questions and a deep exploration of the answers. This workshop is open to any board or staff member from any community foundation that is eager to dive into the legalities of our business model and unlock the truth to effective management and leadership of a community foundation.

Topics

Specific topics will be defined in advance of the workshop as attendees begin to submit ideas, pressing issues, and assist with the defining of sessions. This event is designed to be time sensitive and relevant to current issues. The format will be discussion-oriented, question and answer-based learning alongside peer sharing.

• General Overview of new rules, regulations, and developments for CFs – Discuss latest new rules and regulations affecting community foundations.
  • Topics will vary based on current events and attendee requests, but often cover topics such H.R. 3988 (universal deductions), CARES Act, Updated Charity Act, Tax Deductibility, UPMIFA and related public policy trends.
• Small Group Discussions & Deep Dives with Attorneys: Most common legal complexities facing community foundations – Assessing the most common inquiries from the field nationally, Council attorneys will delve into pressing subjects and issues such as DAFs and permissible grantees, current laws and basic rules regulating DAFs, Notice 2017-73 regarding DAFs, variance power, expenditure responsibility, agency funds, and geographic affiliates.
• Trends and Challenges from the Field – Council experts will share the trending narratives shaping conversations in board rooms as well as the most common challenges shared among community foundations.
• Small Group & Deep Dive with Attorneys: Most common legal complexities facing community foundations – Assessing the most common inquiries from the field nationally, Council attorney Ben McDearmon will delve into pressing subjects and issues such as scholarships, hardship and disaster relief funds, and new rules, regulations and developments in the sector.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is open to any board or staff member from any community foundation that is eager to dive into the legalities of a foundation’s business model and unlock effective management and leadership. Attendees ideally should have been with their current organization for more than a few months and attended CFE Fundamentals before this training. 

Group Rate

Trainings are designed to be taken individually at a personal workstation, not in a group setting. Registration rates are per person. Group rates are for Council Members that send 5-7 people from one organization, each person must be registered individually to attend. Email educate@cof.org to register a group. 

Cancellation Policy 

All registration cancellations must be submitted in writing to educate@cof.org. All cancellation refunds before August 29, 2026 will incur a 25% administrative fee per registration. No refunds will be provided after August 29, 2026.

Taught by a variety of seasoned and experienced community foundation leaders and Council experts, this course helps community foundation staff and board members master the unique aspects of the community foundation field. You'll learn about effective practices, get helpful tools and information, and network with peers in the field. Both comprehensive and engaging, this course is an efficient and affordable way to increase your knowledge of the field.  

Created and led by experienced community foundation leaders and Council attorneys this course includes:

• Basic information on governance, resource development and donor relations;
• Updates on key legal and legislative issues;
• Information on grantmaking; and
• Review of community leadership and fiduciary responsibilities.

Course Hours

• Tuesday, November 10: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
• Thursday, November 12: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, November 17: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
• Thursday, November 19: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET

This virtual training will be conducted live on Zoom and is designed around your participation, creating space for you to directly engage with peers and content. We ask that you plan to be fully present during the hours of the training, minimizing distractions to the best of your ability. We do not offer a recording of the course due to platform and privacy issues.  Please plan to actively participate during all four days. Each of the four sessions is 4 hours and includes two breaks. 

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for community foundation staff and board members only and is recommended for individuals that have been in their positions for at least three months but less than five years.   

Course Topics

• Review community foundation's history, emerging goals, unique characteristics and future trends
• Discuss governance and board responsibilities respective to their roles and goals
• Engage in a discussion on why and how donors give to community foundations
• Learn of various gift types, developing gift agreements and planned givings 
• Understand resource development procedures in attracting gifts
• Listen and learn from the Council legal team to comprehend all legalities from nonprofits to donor control 
• Ascertain key tips and tools about stewardship, accountability and fiduciary responsibilities within your community foundations
• Discover ways to set grantmaking priorities and understand roles in community leadership

Group Rate

Trainings are designed to be taken individually at a personal workstation, not in a group setting. Registration rates are per person. Group rates are for Council Members that send 5-7 people from one organization, each person must be registered individually to attend. Email educate@cof.org to register a group. 

Cancellation Policy 

All registration cancellations must be submitted in writing to educate@cof.org. All cancellation refunds before October 10, 2026 will incur a 25% administrative fee per registration. No refunds will be provided after October 10, 2026