Training

Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) Fundamentals Course - Virtual - September/October 2025

A well-trained staff and an informed board are critical to the success of community foundations in our fast-changing world. This course helps new and growing stakeholders build the essential skills they need to balance governance and management with the broader understanding of community foundations within the philanthropic sector. Course is recommended for community foundation staff that have been in their positions for at least three months.

Save the Date

Date & Time

Monday, September 29: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, September 30: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Monday, October 6: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, October 7: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET

Location

Live Virtual Zoom Meeting-No Recordings Provided

Cost

Council Members = $575 per person
Nonmembers = $735 per person
Group Rate for Council Members Only (5-7 participants from the same organization) = $505 per person

Trainings are designed to be taken individually at a personal workstation, not in a group setting. Registration rates are per person. Group rates are for Council Members that send 5-7 people from one organization, each person must be registered individually to attend. Email educate@cof.org to register a group.

Taught by a variety of seasoned and experienced community foundation leaders and Council experts, this course helps community foundation staff and board members master the unique aspects of the community foundation field. You'll learn about effective practices, get helpful tools and information, and network with peers in the field. Both comprehensive and engaging, this course is an efficient and affordable way to increase your knowledge of the field.

Created and led by experienced community foundation leaders and Council attorneys this course includes:

Basic information on governance, resource development and donor relations;
Updates on key legal and legislative issues;
Information on grantmaking; and
Review of community leadership and fiduciary responsibilities.

Course Hours

Monday, September 29: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, September 30: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Monday, October 6: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, October 7: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Peer Networking from 4:30-5:00 pm ET

This virtual training will be conducted live on Zoom and is designed around your participation, creating space for you to directly engage with peers and content. We ask that you plan to be fully present during the hours of the training, minimizing distractions to the best of your ability. We do not offer a recording of the course due to platform and privacy issues. Please plan to actively participate during all four days. Each of the four sessions is 3.5 hours and includes two breaks. Optional peer networking will take place from 4:30-5:00 pm ET.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for community foundation staff and board members only and is recommended for individuals that have been in their positions for at least three months but less than five years.

Course Topics

Review community foundation's history, emerging goals, unique characteristics and future trends
Discuss governance and board responsibilities respective to their roles and goals
Engage in a discussion on why and how donors give to community foundations
Learn of various gift types, developing gift agreements and planned givings
Understand resource development procedures in attracting gifts
Listen and learn from the Council legal team to comprehend all legalities from nonprofits to donor control
Ascertain key tips and tools about stewardship, accountability and fiduciary responsibilities within your community foundations
Discover ways to set grantmaking priorities and understand roles in community leadership

Cancellation Policy

All registration cancellations must be submitted in writing to educate@cof.org. All cancellation refunds before August 29, 2025 will incur a 25% administrative fee per registration. No refunds will be provided after August 29, 2025.