FFOG Membership Eligibility
Financial and investment professionals of large private foundations that have a diversified investment program are eligible for either Regular or Affiliate Membership. Members typically work for foundations that have investment policies that call for allocating assets among multiple asset classes and engaging outside investment managers to manage those assets.
"Private foundations" are tax-exempt charitable entities that do not qualify as public charities under the federal tax code. Private foundations file a federal tax form 990-PF, while public charities file form 990. Employees of independent or family private foundations, and private operating foundations are eligible for membership.
"Large" private foundations are defined as those with at least $200 million in assets.
FFOG members are employees of independent or family private foundations, or private operating foundations.
FFOG has two categories of membership, Regular Members and Affiliate Members.
Regular Members
To be a Regular Member, you must:
- be the most senior financial officer or investment officer of the private foundation, working directly with the CEO, board and/or investment committee of your foundation
- be a full-time staff member
- not be engaged in these activities as an independent contractor, consultant, agent, or external advisor.
Both the chief financial officer and the chief investment officer of the same foundation may be Regular Members if the roles are filled by more than one person.
For very large foundations, those with more than $1 billion in assets, senior members of the investment or financial staffs (those who have the experience and skills to move into a CIO or CFO position) are also eligible to be Regular Members.
Regular Members enjoy all of the benefits of FFOG membership, including an invitation to attend the semi-annual FFOG meetings.
Regular Members can sponsor Affiliate Members from their foundation.
Join FFOG as a Regular Member »
Affiliate Members
Affiliate Members can only be added once a foundation has a Regular member. They are typically the finance and investment professional staff members who report to Regular Members.
To be an Affiliate Member, you must:
- be sponsored by a Regular Member from your foundation,
- be an employee of the foundation,
- be involved with investments, treasury, accounting, tax, human resources, technology or administrative functions at that foundation, and
- not be engaged in these activities as an independent contractor, consultant, agent, or advisor.
An Affiliate Member may attend the semi-annual FFOG meetings if a foundation's Regular Member is unable to attend. Affiliate Members have full access to the FFOG website.
Join FFOG as an Affiliate Member »
Financial Commitments of Membership
Annual dues are collected to cover the costs of maintaining the website, distributing survey results, and other administrative costs.
Regular Member dues are $1,200 per year. Affiliate Member dues are $300 per year.
Registration fees for the semi-annual meetings are set at a level to cover the meal and facility costs associated with those meetings. Members cover their own transportation and hotel costs to attend meetings.
Other Commitments of Membership
Participate in Surveys The usefulness of the periodic surveys conducted by FFOG depends on full member participation. The surveys are designed and conducted, and the results are compiled by members who volunteer a great deal of their time. Participation in the three major surveys - investments, admin costs and compensation - is an expected part of FFOG membership.
Maintain Confidentiality To maintain FFOG as a "safe" forum where members feel free to share expertise and experiences, members are expected to keep all FFOG information and communications confidential. While FFOG members can use generic information from FFOG surveys, discussions, meetings, etc. within their own foundations, FFOG members never distribute FFOG material to non-members or betray the confidence of their fellow members. All members are expected to sign a confidentiality agreement and renew this commitment annually.
Volunteer Time FFOG is a volunteer-driven organization which relies heavily upon the willingness of its members to serve as directors, officers and committee members.
Becoming a Member
