Event Policies and Practices

This page includes all policies, practices, and disclaimers for Leading Locally 2025, including:

Registration Cancellation

All Leading Locally 2025 registration cancellations must be submitted in writing to registration@cof.org. All cancellation refunds prior to May 10, 2025, will incur a 25% administrative fee. No refunds will be provided after May 10, 2025.

Code of Conduct

The Council on Foundations (Council) is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all event participants and Council staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, session organizers, sponsors, vendors, philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs), Council staff members, partner organization representatives, service providers, and all others are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to this event and all in-person and virtual Council meeting-related events, including those sponsored by organizations other than the Council but held in conjunction with Council events, on public or private platforms. 

Do:

• Engage and interact with attendees, speakers, session organizers, sponsors, vendors, philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs), Council staff, partner organization representatives, and service providers throughout the event
• Participate during sessions with comments and questions and engage in respectful communications
• Respect confidentiality requests by speakers and other attendees

Don't:

• Post your own services, products, or causes unless requested by Council staff
• Disrupt sessions or other activities, attendees must comply with the instructions of the session moderator, speaker and Council staff
• Harass, intimidate, stalk, or threaten anyone participating in the event
• Make abusive verbal comments that include, but are not limited to, comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations

Violations of the Code of Conduct:

If any participant, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, session organizers, sponsors, vendors, philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs), Council staff members, partner organization representatives, service providers, and all others, violates the Code of Conduct, the following steps will be taken.  

Enforcement 

• Participants will be asked to immediately stop any behavior that does not comply with the Code of Conduct. Once requested, they are expected to comply immediately.
• If a participant continues to engage in behavior that does not comply with the Code of Conduct, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the conference [with no refund].
• Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. 

Reporting 

If participants feel unsafe or unwelcome, they should report it as soon as possible. Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone.  

If an individual believes they have been subjected to harassment, discrimination, or retaliation of any kind or any conduct that violates this policy, they should immediately report the conduct to any Council staff who will take the necessary steps of enforcement and report the conduct to the Onsite Emergency Contact. 

Complaints may be made verbally or in writing. Immediate notification permits the individual and the Council to effectively communicate and understand the nature of the complaint so that proper steps can be taken in response. All complaints will be promptly and thoroughly reviewed in a fair and impartial manner. The review will be confidential to the extent possible.  

Accessibility

We will also make every effort to ensure that the conference experience is accessible to all who want to participate. This includes ensuring that those with disabilities have full access to the conference. We will take the following specific actions:

• Ensure that real-time interpretation or close captioning is available.
• Ensure that the website is ADA compliant.
• Ensure that all event spaces are ADA compliant.
• Provide attendees with the opportunity to identify the need for accommodation requirements during registration.
• Reserve wheelchair spaces during general and breakout sessions.
• Ensure ample aisle space (36-60”) for attendees who use mobility supports.
• Remind presenters and designers to use large, simple, and San serif fonts for displayed presentations.
• Advise designers and presenters on appropriate color palettes.

We will work to ensure further compliance with best practice in these areas. If you have any questions about accommodations or need additional assistance, please contact conferences@cof.org.

No Solicitation Policy

Council events are not opportunities for solicitation of any kind, including asking for business, fund management, or grants. All types of solicitation are strictly prohibited. For more information, read our no solicitation policy.

Event Photo/Video/Recording Disclaimer

By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for promotional purposes, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by the Council and its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to highlight and/or promote similar Council events in the future. You release the Council, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, video and/or sound recordings. You waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, or other publication of these materials.