Preconference Programs

Separate registration is required for all of these events. Space is limited. Register now!




Center for Community Foundation Excellence (CCFE) Fundamentals - SOLD OUT

Saturday, September 21, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday, September 22, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

$595 members/$809 nonmembers

Download the agenda.

A well-trained staff and a well-informed board are crucial to community foundation success in a fast-changing world. This two-day course helps new and experienced foundation stakeholders build essential skills they need. Created and led by experienced leaders, this course includes:


This event is at capacity. To be added to the waitlist, e-mail confreg@cof.org.




CEOnet Retreat – Unleashing Leadership: Using Your Strengths to Influence Community Change

Saturday, September 21, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday, September 22, 8-11 a.m.

For CEOs Only
$410 members/$885 nonmembers


Grow as a leader and prepare for the rising challenges that face community foundations in an ever-changing environment. This retreat will help you grow by focusing on your own strengths and then examining the team at your foundation, all within the context of the community you serve. Come for:


NOTE: All attendees must complete a Gallup StrengthsFinder self-assessment at least two weeks before the retreat. Cost of the self-assessment is included in the registration fee.

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San Ysidro Visit: Philanthropy in a Cross-Border Community

Sunday, September 22, 11:45am – 4:00pm

$30 - Lunch is provided at Casa Familiar as part of the registration fee

Did you know Mexico is just around the corner from San Diego?

Join the U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership for a preconference afternoon visit to the town of San Ysidro in the U.S.-Mexico border region. Experience firsthand the unique interplay and mutuality between two distinct cultures, as well as explore the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing families and communities in the bi-national region.

See a success story of philanthropy at the border with a visit to Casa Familiar, a community-based nonprofit organization incorporated in 1973, whose mission allows the dignity, power, and worth within individuals and families to flourish by enhancing the quality of life through education, advocacy, service programming, housing and community economic development. Serving more than 28,000 families a year, Casa Familiar offers a holistic approach to border region families by offering over fifty programs in human services, community development, recreation, technology, arts and culture, and education.

What you will learn:



Conference participants are also invited to a special, post-conference U.S.-Mexico Border Environment and Public Health Summit.

Register now!
Already registered for the conference? Sign up for this event by adding it to your registration.




Working Lunch with the Veterans Philanthropy Community of Practice

Sunday, September 22, 1-4 p.m.

No Charge - This event is free because of a generous sponsorship from Blue Shield of California Foundation

This event is limited to 40 funders who want to learn and share their work on veterans support. You must RSVP to partnership@cof.orgto attend.

The new Veterans Philanthropy Community of Practice will host a best practices forum to share investment strategies and lessons in supporting veterans and military families. Learn about the challenges overcome and outcomes achieved from funders, such as those from the San Diego Grantmakers Veterans and Military Families Working Group and the Lincoln Community Foundation.  We will roll up our sleeves with the staff of Warrior and Family Support Office of the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff about their post-Gulf Wars community outreach strategic plan. (This is our chance to make the case for adding a philanthropy component!)  And be prepared to head to the open mic during the "share the love" session – for storytelling and ideation. If you are a funder who wants to learn more, pick up tips for designing grant programs, or learn more about gaps in veterans services, this is the place!

Come and have lunch, meet your colleagues to share and learn and to connect with the OJCS, the National Guard Bureau, Blue Star Military Families, and the Iraq-Afghanistan Veterans Association leaders for a military-philanthropy culture exchange.

This event is open to any funder attending the conference.  For more information, contact Stephanie Powers, Executive Branch Liaison at the Council at powes@cof.org.


Register now!




Advanced Legal Seminar

Sunday, September 22, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

$65 members/$165 nonmembers

Download the agenda.

The seminar will review the legal requirements and best practices for establishing disaster and emergency relief funds, accepting contributions, and making grants from these funds. It will also look at how community foundations can (1) work with local employers wishing to establish funds to support employees and (2) coordinate with state and local government agencies.


Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
The Advanced Legal Seminar has been approved for MCLE credit by The State Bar of California for a total of 2.75 credit hours (no credits may be claimed for required MCLE in legal ethics, elimination of bias, or the prevention, detection, and treatment of substance abuse or mental illness that impairs professional competence). For more information, please contact the Council’s Legal department at legal@cof.org or 703-879-0713.


Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
CPAs who participate in this group-live event can earn two CPE credits. While advance preparation is not necessary and there are no prerequisites for registering, the seminar is intended for intermediate to advanced learners. Learning objectives include:


  1. Learn how Community Foundations can facilitate and provide disaster relief
  2. Review the tax reporting requirements applicable to disaster relief providers
  3. Understand the special rules applicable to employer-sponsored disaster relief programs
  4. Review the deductibility rules for charitable contributions and the tax treatment to recipients
  5. Discuss issues related to working with Federal, state and local government entities
  6. Review relief response in New Orleans and compare short-term assistance to long term needs

For questions or concerns, please contact the Council’s Legal department at legal@cof.org or 703-879-0713.


The Council on Foundations is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website www.learningmarket.org.


Presenters: Tracy L. Boak, J.D., Attorney, Perlman & Perlman, LLP, Marco Cocito-Monoc, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Programs, Greater New Orleans Foundation
Session Designer and Moderator: Suzanne Friday, J.D., L.L.M., Counsel, Council on Foundations


Register now!



The first 1,000 registrants receive a free copy of Here for Good: Community Foundations and the Challenges of the 21st Century by Terry Mazany and David C. Perry.



2013 Fall Conference for Community Foundations Task Force

The Council on Foundations is a national nonprofit association of more than 1,700 grantmaking foundations and corporations. Our mission is to provide the opportunity, leadership, and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance, and sustain their ability to advance the common good.

Council on Foundations
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