
What are the roles and tasks of family foundation board members? How do you make decisions about board structure and responsibilities? Trusteeship is—first and foremost—a very personal commitment to a public trust. This Content Collection provides both introductory resources as well as more detailed looks at many of the most important aspects of foundation governance. These resources will provide you with the opportunity to explore the roles and responsibilities of trusteeship: what does it mean to you and others, including your fellow trustees, and—unknown to you now—those who may one day take a role as a trustee of your foundation.
NOTE: If you haven’t already done so, start your exploration of governance by reviewing Governance: Building a Framework for Your Decision Making from NCFP’s Family Giving Lifecycle primer series.
Know of other good resources to include here? Please suggest a resource.
Featured Resources


Building the Board Your Foundation Deserves: The Governance Checklist
Passages Issue Briefs
Good Governance: The Foundation Imperative
Book Chapter
Good Governance: Basic Rules For Governing A Family Foundation
Book Chapter
10 Mistakes New Foundation Boards Make, and How to Avoid Them
ArticleEthics and Values

Ethics in Family Philanthropy: Right Vs. Right Decision-Making

Paul Ylvisaker: Ethics and Philanthropy
Book ChapterInvestments and Fiduciary Responsibilities

Managing Risk: Board Oversight of Foundation Investments
Passages Issue Briefs
Checklist of Fiduciary Responsibilities
Sample
10 common errors to avoid in completing a private foundation’s form 990-PF
ReportNavigating Family Dynamics

Avoiding Avoidance: Addressing and Managing Conflict in Family Philanthropy
Passages Issue Briefs
Finding Common Ground, Valuing Different Views

Managing Conflict and Family Dynamics In Your Family’s Philanthropy
Passages Issue BriefsSpecial Topics and Legal Issues

Conflicts of Interest and Avoiding Self-dealing for Family Foundation Boards
Passages Issue Briefs
Board Compensation: Reasonable and Necessary?
Passages Issue Briefs
Measuring What Counts: Meaningful Evaluation for Family Foundations
Passages Issue Briefs
Discretionary Grants: Engaging Family… or Pandora’s Box?
Passages Issue BriefsAdditional Resources: Videos, Slideshows, and Webinars

Effective Governance: Principles, Policies, and Practices

Demystifying Decision Making

Governance Practices for Better Decision Making

Designing Effective Board Meetings: Purpose, Outcomes, Process, and People

Good Governance: How to Use Board Committees Effectively

Toeing the Line: Legal Pitfalls in Family Foundation Governance

Toeing the line, Part 2: Legal Pitfalls in Family Foundation Grantmaking

Passing the “Mirror Test”: Ethics and family philanthropy
Sample Policies, Forms, and Letters

Statement of board of director expectations (Anonymous family foundation)
Sample
Statement of Board Culture (Surdna Foundation)
Sample
Board Director Job Descriptions (Lipscomb Family Foundation)
Sample
R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation: Trustee Competencies
Sample
List of Competencies for Rockefeller Brothers Fund Board Members
Sample
The Leighty Foundation job responsibilities
Sample