Family Foundation Board Chair Roles and Responsibilities

Successful family foundation board chairs are able to both drive action and manage egos — and are often the difference between a foundation deftly navigating challenging situations and being tripped up by them. It’s a role that needs careful consideration. Those serving in this capacity need the leadership skills needed to run smooth, productive board meetings as well as a nuanced set of interpersonal skills. This Content Collection provides a variety of tips and perspectives from current board chairs about how to manage this vital role in family philanthropy.

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Family Philanthropy Board Chairs: Leading with Joy and Effectiveness

Passages Issue Briefs

A board chair is perhaps the most important and meaningful job in any family foundation. If you are currently chair—or anticipate that you will be someday—you may find it’s one of the most rewarding roles you will ever have. It’s also a role of great nuance, calling for keen facilitation,…

Why Your Board Chair Needs a Job Description

Article

Successful family foundation board chairs are able to both drive action and manage egos — and are often the difference between a foundation deftly navigating challenging situations and being tripped up by them.

Good Governance: How Should Family Foundation Boards Spend Their Time?

Article

Checks landing in the mailboxes of nonprofit organizations with foundation return ad-dresses have long been considered philanthropy’s most important currency. Reflecting that view, family foundations have tended to focus their operations, self-image, and their very reasons for being on getting the dollars out the door...

Ten Essential Responsibilities of Foundation Board Chairs

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If you are new to nonprofit leadership, you may not know what is expected of a board chair. This primer is designed to increase your understanding of the role by presenting a brief introduction to nonprofit governance and foundation leadership.

NCFP Webinars

April 13, 2023

Preparing for and Managing a Productive Board Chair Transition

A board chair transition is an important moment for a family philanthropy, often prompting larger decisions or a revisiting of the organization’s purpose and practices. All members of the board have a role to play in preparing for and managing these inevitable leadership shifts, and need clarity about the strategies…

May 16, 2019

Relationship Between the Board Chair and CEO

How do board chairs and CEOs develop and maintain their partnerships? How do family foundation board chairs and CEOs build a relationship of trust and bridge the divide between physical distance, differences between staff and family member roles, and continue the work of the foundation during times of transition? Join…

April 9, 2015

The Critical Role of the Board Chair in Family Philanthropy

What are the critical roles and responsibilities of family foundation board chairs? What are the traps that board chairs can fall into, and how can you avoid them? How can CEOs and board chairs create a mutually respectful and positive long-term partnership? And how can your family identify and prepare…

Board Chair Job Descriptions

Board Chair Responsibilities (George Family Foundation, 2015)

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A board chair responsibilities document from the George Family Foundation.

Policy Central: Board Meetings, Roles, and Qualifications

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Examples of conflict of interest policies, board position descriptions, orientation manuals, election and rotation procedures, and other related policies.

Additional Tips and Tools for Board Chairs

Boardroom Battles: 5 Ways to Move Beyond Conflict

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Most board members are rational, committed professionals. However, even among the most collegial boards there's always the possibility of conflict, and savvy foundation leaders I know have used the following approaches to diffuse disagreement smoothly and quickly.