Policy Central: Board Meetings, Roles, and Qualifications

Boards that anticipate and plan for potential bumps in the road are far more likely to avoid difficult situations than those who create policies while in the middle of crisis. Included here are conflict of interest policies, board position descriptions, election and rotation policies, and much more.
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- For assessment tools and other resources related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in family philanthropy, please see our Content Collection on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Code of Conduct
- Code of Conduct (Brinson Foundation, 2023)
- Code of Conduct (Anonymous Foundation, 2023)
- Trustee Pledge of Service and Code of Conduct (Frey Fdn, 2023)
- Code of Conduct (Switzer Foundation, 2023)
Code of Ethics
Compensation Policies (see also, "Expense Reimbursement Policies")
Composition Analysis Worksheet
Conflict of Interest Statements
- Conflict of Interest (Morgan FF, 2023)
- Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form (Frey Fdn, 2023)
- Conflict of Interest and Self Dealing Policy (Brinson Foundation, 2023)
- Conflict of Interest Policy (George FF, 2022)
- Conflict of Interest (Kresge, 2019)
- Conflict of Interest Policy (Packard Foundation, 2003)
- Conflict of Interest Policy (Self Family Foundation, 2002)
Directors & Officers Liability Insurance
- D and O Insurance Terminology (G2 Insurance, 2021)
- Directors and Officers Liability Insurance and Indemnification (COF, 2007)
Decision-making Frameworks
- Family Foundation Board Decision making Matrix (NCFP, 2024)
- Allocation of Responsibilities Family vs. Community Board Members (NCFP, 2024)
- Grant Levers Template (XYZ Foundation, 2024)
- Collaborative Decision Making Framework (Rainin, 2023)
- Fist to Five Voting and Consensus
- Alternatives to Robert's Rules of Order
Discretionary Grant Policies (see also, "Matching Grant Policies")
- Birthday Discretionary Grant Program (XYZ Foundation, 2023)
- Discretionary Grant Award Letter (Basic)(XYZ Foundation, 2023)
- Discretionary Grants Policy (XYZ Foundation, 2023)
- Board Discretionary Grants Policy (Bainum, 2021)
- Discretionary Grant Policy (Frey Fdn, 2023)
- Discretionary Grants Form (XYZ Foundation, 2023)
- How to Apply for a Discretionary Grant (Knott, 2023)
- Board Discretionary Grants Policy (Bainum, 2021)
- Discretionary Grant Recommendation Form (Russell FF 2021)
- Family Discretionary Grant Awards (Satterberg Fdn, 2021)
- Discretionary Grant Due Diligence Procedures (HLMFF, 2017)
Diversity and Inclusiveness Statements
- Commitment to Diversity (Packard Foundation, 2017)
- Board Statement on Racial Equity (HRK Foundation, 2017)
Election and Rotation Policies (see also, "Term Limits Policies")
- Nomination Process for New Board Members (XYZ, 2024)
- Chair Selection Process (XYZ Foundation, 2023)
- Foundation Governance and Leadership Structure (Bainum, 2021)
- Board Terms Two Tiered System (Anonymous, 2023)
- Board Election, Rotation, and Membership Terms (Nord Family Foundation, 2005)
Eligibility Criteria and Expectations for Board Membership
- Board of Director Service Commitment (Gibney FF, 2025)
- Board Job Description (XYZ Foundation, 2024)
- Trustee Characteristics (Frey Fdn, 2023)
- Director Expectations (Brinson Foundation, 2023)
- Board Eligibility Statement (Anonymous, 2023)
- Board Member Roles and Qualifications (XYZ Family Fdn, 2023)
- Trustee Job Description and Desirable Characteristics (Dobbs Foundation, 2017)
- Board Qualifications (AVDF, 2017)
- Board Selection Criteria (LWFF, 2016)
Expense Reimbursement Policies
- Expense Reimbursement Policy (XYZ Foundation, 2023)
- Petty Cash Reimbursement (Brinson Foundation, 2023)
- Travel and Reimbursement Policy (Large Foundation, 2023)
- Trustee Expense Reimbursement Policy (Frey Fdn, 2023)
- Board Compensation and Travel (Morgan FF, 2023)
- Expense Reimbursement Policy for a Private Foundation (Blazek and Vetterling, 2023)
- Board Expense Reimbursement Policy (Bainum, 2021)
- Business Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy (Anonymous, 2018)
- Travel Entertainment Policies and Reimbursement Form (MRBF, 2011)
Matching Grants Policies (see also, "Discretionary Grants Policies")
- Matching Grant Policy (Frey Fdn, 2023)
- Matching Grant Policy (Morgan FF, 2023)
- Sabbatical Policy (Hill Snowdon, 2023)
- Matching Gift Program (Coleman Foundation, 2021)
- Matching Grant Policy (Tracy FF, 2020)
- Matching Grant Program and Forms (Dobbs Fund, 2017)
- Matching Grants (Morgan FF, 2015)
Meeting and Retreat Agendas
- Board Decision Making Process (Woodcock Foundation, 2023)
- Meetings Matter (NCFP, 2021)
- Board Meeting Agenda (Anonymous Foundation 2023)
- Board Meeting Agenda (Russell Family Foundation)
- Board Meeting Ground Rules (Claneil Foundation, 2023)
- Ground Rules for Family Retreat Working Sessions
- Principled Planning A Guide for Family Foundation Retreats (COF, 2006)
Meeting Attendance Policies
Meeting Calendars
Meeting Evaluation and Feedback Surveys
- Sample Family Foundation Board Meeting Feedback (Beker Foundation, 2021)
- Board Meeting Evaluation Form (JF Maddox, 2020)
Orientation Manuals and Agendas
- Board of Directors Handbook (Morgan FF, 2023)
- Governance and Management Guidelines (Brinson Foundation, 2019)
- Board Orientation Guidebook TOC (Glenn FF, 2014)
- Board Orientation Outline (Anonymous, 2012)
- Trustee Orientation Guidelines (Hill Snowdon Foundation, 2011)
- Board Orientation Manual (GMA, 2009)
- Board Policy and Procedures Manual (William Bingham Foundation, 2005)
Position Descriptions - Board Chairs
- Board Chair Traits and Job Description (XYZ Foundation, 2024)
- Board Chair Job Description (Brinson, 2023)
- Board Chair Role and Responsibilities (XYZ Foundation, 2023)
- Board President Role and Responsibilities (XYZ Family Fdn, 2023)
- Board Chair Job Description (AVDF, 2017)
- Board Chair Responsibilities (George FF, 2015)
- Board Officer Roles and Responsibilities (Glenn FF, 2014)
Position Descriptions - Board Members
- Member & Director Job Description (Gibney FF, 2025)
- Trustee Position Description (Switzer Foundation, 2023)
- Trustee Characteristics (Frey Fdn, 2023)
- Independent Trustee (Nathan Cummings Foundation, 2023)
- Director Expectations (Brinson Foundation, 2023)
- Trustee Position Description (Blandin, 2023)
- Board Member Roles and Qualifications (XYZ Family Fdn, 2023)
- Board Member Job Description (Needmor Fund 2021)
- Board Roles and Responsibilities (Bainum, 2021)
- Director Expectations (Brinson Foundation, 2018)
- Trustee Job Description and Desirable Characteristics (Dobbs Foundation, 2017)
- Trustee Responsibilities (AVDF, 2017)
Position Descriptions - Community and Independent (non-Family) Board Members
- Community Board Member (Russell FF, 2023)
- Independent Trustee (Nathan Cummings Foundation, 2023)
- Candidate Reflection Questions for Community Board Members (Hill Snowdon, 2021)
- Community Based Boards Position Description Recruitment (Tzedek Social Justice Fund, 2021)
- Independent Investment Committee (Nathan Cummings Fdn, 2020)
- Independent Board Member (Volgenau Fdn, 2020)
- Independent Board Member (Jessie Smith Noyes Fdn, 2019)
- Process for Selecting Nonfamily Trustees (Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, 2003)
Recruitment Documents for Community Board Members: Panta Rhea Foundation
- Board Recruitment Memo: Timeline and Criteria (Panta Rhea Foundation, 2020)
- Community Board Member Interest Form (Panta Rhea Fdn, 2020)
- Community Board Member Profile (Panta Rhea Fdn, 2020)
- Board Candidate Interview Questions (Panta Rhea Fdn, 2020)
Self-evaluation and Self-assessment
- Pursuit of Excellence Governance Section Excerpt (NCFP, 2023)
- Advancing Participation in Philanthropy Self Assessment Tool (Samarasan and Love, 2023)
- 8 Step Organizational Self Reflection Tool (Arabella, 2023)
- Board Self Assessment Survey (Brinson Foundation, 2018)
- Trustee Self Assessment (XYZ Foundation, 2017)
- Board Member Self Assessment (Siragusa, 2015)
- Leveraging Differences Self Assessment (CMIF, 2016)
- Discussion Guide Leveraging the Power of Difference (CMIF, August 2014)
- McKinsey Board Assessment Tool
- Governance Self Assessment Worksheet
- Principled Planning Self Assessment Questions (COF, 2006)