CFE Fundamentals - February 2026
You should have received an email from Zoom with your unique information to join the virtual classroom.
If you did not receive the email, jill.gordon@cof.org.
Workshop Hours
- Tuesday, February 17: 1-5 p.m. ET
- Thursday, February 19: 1-5 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, February 24: 1-5 p.m. ET
- Thursday, February 26: 1-5 p.m. ET
Resources & Documents
Participant Guide: Download from Dropbox
Your Hosts
Jill Gordon
Senior Manager, Training
Council on Foundations
Jeryl Raphael
Associate, Leadership Development & Training
Council on Foundations
Agenda
Day 1 | Monday, February 17 | 1-5 p.m. ET
Welcome, General Overview and Introductions
Jill Gordon, Senior Manager, Training, Council on Foundations
- Overview
- Activity: Class introductions and Community Foundation Scenarios
Chapter 1: Community Foundation Movement
Susie Nelson, Executive Director, Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley
- History
- Traditional and emerging roles
- Unique characteristics
- National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations
- Growth Trends/Future Trends
- Activity: Community Foundation Scenarios
- Operations: Staff Size and Conflicts of Interest
Break
Chapter 2: Governance and Board Composition
Susie Nelson, Executive Director, Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley
- Activity: Fickly Finger of Fate – What Do Boards Do?
- Board role and responsibilities
- Effective meetings
- Governance, Board Composition and DEI
Guest Speaker on CF Insights and Community Foundation Trends: Dave Rosado, Senior Advisor, Community Philanthropy, Council on Foundations
Day 1 Faculty & Guest Speaker
Susie Nelson
Executive Director
Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley
Dave Rosado
Senior Advisor, Community Philanthropy
Council on Foundations
Day 2 | Thursday, February 19 | 1-5 p.m. ET
Judy Ritchie, Executive Director Emerita, Parkersburg Area Community Foundation
Guest Speaker on Marketing: Jon Haber, Senior Director of Marketing, San Diego Foundation
Chapter 3: Resource Development – Donors
- Why donors give to community foundations
- Activity: Defining the Motivation of Donors
Chapter 3: Resource Development – Gifts
- Types of gifts
- Activity: What’s wrong with this gift?
- Gift Acceptance and agreements
- Planned giving
Break
Chapter 4: Resource Development – Donor Relations & Attracting Gifts
- How foundations attract gifts
- Strategic Development Plan
- Services to donors and advisors
- Marketing and Communications
Day 2 Faculty
Judy Ritchie
Executive Director Emerita
Parkersburg Area Community Foundation
Jon Haber
Senior Director of Marketing
San Diego Foundation
Day 3 | Tuesday, February 24 | 1-5 p.m. ET
Chapter 5: Legal and Legislative Issues
Remy Barnwell, Senior Staff Counsel, Council on Foundations
- Legal Restrictions vs. Donor Control: Donors
- Legal Restrictions vs. Donor Control: Agencies
- State Law: UPMIFA
- Grantmaking Pitfalls
- Legislative Updates
- Public Policy & Advocacy Updates
Eddie Shimkus, Senior Manager, Government Affairs, Council on Foundations
Break
Chapter 6: Stewardship, Accountability and Fiduciary Responsibilities
Brett Hunkins, Student Life and Engagement Chief Financial Officer, Michigan State University
Dan Templin, Executive Director, DeKalb County Community Foundation
- Fiscal Accountability
- Activity: What could possibly go wrong?
- Fiscal Policies
- Finance/Investment Committee
- Communicating Investment & Financial Decisions
- Asset Allocation
- Spending Rate
Day 3 Faculty
Remy Barnwell
Staff Counsel
Council on Foundations
Eddie Shimkus
Senior Manager, Government Affairs
Council on Foundations
Brett Hunkins
Student Life and Engagement CFO
Michigan State University
Dan Templin
Executive Director
DeKalb County Community Foundation
Day 4 | Thursday, February 26 | 1-5 p.m. ET
Chapter 7: Grantmaking & Community Leadership (Part I)
Erin Johnson, Vice President of Community Investment, Central Carolina Community Foundation
Guest Speaker: Joel Hicks-Rivera, Senior Community Impact Officer, Greater Hartford Gives Foundation
- Grantmaking styles
- Types of grants
- Internal process/plan
- External Clarity: communicating grantmaking priorities
- Activity: Review Grant Request
Break
Chapter 7: Grantmaking & Community Leadership (Part II)
- What CFs Bring to the Leadership Table
- Impact Investing: Employing All Your Capital
- Considering all assets when leading
- Leadership Roles
- Strategic assessment and planning
- Leadership, diversity and inclusiveness
- Activity: Community Leadership
Day 4 Faculty
Erin Johnson
Vice President, Community Investment
Central Carolina Community Foundation
Joel Hicks-Rivera
Senior Community Impact Officer
Greater Hartford Gives Foundation
Legal Basics - 20 Minute Video
Watch video for DAY 3 class on February 24, 2026
