Come to San Diego
General Information About The Annual Conference
Registration and Housing
Costs for going to the Annual Confernce
Who can go?
Times and Dates and Places
Multi-media CD-ROM that includes both the audio recording plus the PowerPoint/handout presentation material, a complete list of exhibitors and important information from COF.
Important documents to help you
information on how to exhibit and sponsorship opportunities
Contact Council staff
Travel info to California


Welcome

New this year
Check for program updates

San Diego SkylineThis year's theme could not be more timely: "Generosity and Integrity: Values for Leadership in Philanthropy." With unprecedented demand for greater accountability from the public, the media and regulators, some lawmakers are working to literally redefine our field. To answer these demands, the Council on Foundations has undertaken a new, member-initiated, two-year grant-funded program – Building Strong and Ethical Foundations: Doing It Right – designed to increase understanding of legal practices and to develop and encourage adherence to high ethical standards in grantmaking. This year’s annual conference supports the central tenets of this initiative.

This conference will help you put the policies and processes in place to make certain this happens, as you strengthen your connection to colleagues and the field, explore shared issues and concerns and acquire new, field-proven strategies and resources. And exploring these issues against the complex and diverse backdrop of San Diego adds another dimension that you won’t want to miss. We urge you to attend – and look forward to seeing you in April!

Dot Ridings,
President and CEO
Council on Foundations

New Foundations

The Annual Conference is an important meeting ground for foundations, and we want to hear the voices of new foundations. As part of our "Building Strong and Ethical Foundations: Doing It Right" program, we're offering a special half-price registration and half-price membership dues rate to new, non-member foundations. For specific eligibility information and more details, please contact the Council’s membership department at membership@cof.org or 202/467-0291.

Special Issue of CEOLinks

Download this bulletin to learn about pre-conference events, strategic conversations, sessions and networking activities design specifically for foundation CEOs and executive staff.

LEADERSHIP
   
OPERATIONS
   
ISSUES
Explore leadership on two levels: organizationally and individually. Sessions in this path, open to all participants, all leaders within an organization, including the chief executive, senior administrative and program staff, and trustees.    Gain insights, strategies and tactics related to the many aspects of foundation management and governance. Some of the most experienced leaders in the field will lead sessions on various aspects of foundation management.

    Building on new and existing knowledge, attendees will address persistent and emerging challenges affecting the local, transnational and global communities in which they work.
NEW THIS YEAR
  • The conference will start SUNDAY, April 10 and end Tuesday, April 12 (two weeks earlier than last year).
  • Pre-conference activities begin Friday, April 8.
  • Meet Your Resources—Discover a network of resources, in-depth knowledge and practical expertise for foundations. Members of the Council on Foundations’ Affinity Group Network, as well as other colleague organizations, will be on hand to answer inquiries, provide you with useful resources and guide you to the information you need to be a more informed grantmaker.
  • Nonprofit marketplace in Resource Central.
  • The schedule has been rearranged for some of the more popular conference activities (including the networking event, resource central, roundtables, open space and the awards showcase) to allow more people to participate and benefit.
CONFERENCE UPDATES

Opening Plenary Luncheon

"The 2005 conference theme, “Generosity and Integrity: Values for Leadership in Philanthropy,” is a call for grantmakers to address the organizational and leadership challenges of generosity and integrity. This topic is timely, as demand for greater accountability from the public, the media and regulators has increased and some lawmakers are working to literally redefine our field. Join with us as we explore and strengthen the principles that unite us—beginning with generosity and integrity—and discuss ways to rebuild trust through value-centered leadership. Council on Foundations President and CEO Dorothy S. Ridings will provide a brief "state of philanthropy."

The keynote address will be delivered by Mónica Lozano, publisher and chief executive officer of La Opinión, the largest Spanish-language daily newspaper in the U.S., will share her thoughts on the social, economic and political influence of the Hispanic/Latino population - locally and nationally.

 

 

Breakfast Plenary With Irs Commissioner Mark Everson

IRS Commissioner Mark Everson - Photo by Tim Dillon, USA TODAY Building on the conference theme, "Generosity and Integrity: Values for Leadership in Philanthropy," this plenary session will probe current issues and feature IRS Commissioner Mark Everson. Come to hear about regulatory changes and efforts to improve and strengthen our field's policy and practices. This session's presenter will bring multiple perspectives to the session and deepen subsequent discussions.



Closing Plenary

Jeremy RifkinThe closing plenary promises to be an intriguing look at the world and the future by renowned futurist, Jeremy Rifkin, president of the Foundation on Economic Trends. Best selling author of The End of Work and just released book, The European Dream, Rifkin will share insight on this nation and beyond – as he sees it.