Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
101 Series: THE FORUM
What is the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers?
The Forum is a national network of regional groups—an association of associations. As our motto
says, our role is “strengthening the nation’s philanthropy, region by region.” Our mission is to
connect and strengthen regional associations as the highest quality providers of services to
philanthropy in their regions and to use our collective and unique assets to inform and
strengthen philanthropy throughout the country.
Through the Forum Network, regional associations share knowledge and experience, connect
with peers, build knowledge together, and collectively create first class resources, tools, and
services for their members—often piloting cutting edge programs before their industry-wide
release. In addition, the Forum is the home of one of the most advanced and effective
knowledge management systems in the field today, which provides our members with one
centralized home for resources created throughout the field.
By fostering the expertise and relationships of its members, the Forum Network leverages
regional association assets and credibility in partnerships with national funders, philanthropic
infrastructure organizations, and other trusted partners to strengthen philanthropy and benefit
regional communities.1
How does the Forum serve regional associations of grantmakers?
We bring together regional association staff and trustees from around the country to share
knowledge and experience, connect with peers, build knowledge together, and collectively
create first class resources, tools, and services for their members—often piloting cutting edge
programs before their industry‐wide release. Our work helps make our members’ jobs easier
and each regional association more effective.
We offer a wide range of meetings and workshops, educational materials, electronic
communications networks, a highly read e-newsletter, benchmarking and research, vendor
discounts, and technical assistance.
We also provide many intangible benefits, such as representation at national meetings and
opportunities for collective regional association activities.2
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See more about the Forum including financial information, bylaws, mission, etc.
Read more about the Forum’s member benefits
2014 Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
Who makes up the Forum’s membership?
The Forum’s membership comprises the 34 regional associations of grantmakers and their staff
members. Together these members serve more than 4,400 local grantmaking organizations and
employ more than 200 staff.3
How does the Forum define the kinds of organizations eligible for membership?
In order to qualify as a full member of the Forum, associations must serve a delineated
geographic region and a mix of grantmaking organization types. They must have at least one
part-time staff person who is able to participate in basic Forum activities. The Forum also has a
provisional membership category for new and emerging regional associations.
What about associations outside the United States?
While we don’t admit individual non-U.S. associations as members, the Forum has always
extended a collegial hand to our foreign counterparts. Along with the Council on Foundations,
some of our member regional associations have been playing advisory roles helping the
international associations as they begin to build their own network.4
Does the Forum have regularly scheduled meetings or conferences?
Yes. In March, the Forum, with support from the Council on Foundations, puts on Foundations
on the Hill, an event where regional associations and their members go to Capital Hill to meet
with members of their Congressional delegations.
We also host an annual conference each summer (typically in late July). It is designed to build
the capacity and foster networking of regional association staff and CEOs. The Forum also
holds numerous webinars and conference calls throughout the year on topics of current interest
to members, grantmakers and other parties.5
How is the Forum governed?
The Forum’s activities are overseen by a board of directors representative of regional
association CEOs, non-CEO staff, member grantmakers, and a representative of the board of the
Council on Foundations. A number of committees provide for broad participation by other
representatives and ensure that the Forum’s work continues to be member-driven. Each
regional association gets one vote in the election of directors and any other matters put before
the membership. The regional association itself designates one representative (usually the CEO)
to vote on its behalf.6
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See the complete list of Forum membership
4Access
the Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support (WINGS)
The Forum’s online Calendar of Events provides a full listing of upcoming events.
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Read a PDF version of the Forum’s bylaws
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2014 Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
How was the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers created?
The Forum is the result of an evolution that started in the early 1980s, when the regional
association field was less than half its present size. The first formal relationship among regional
associations was a special committee of the Council on Foundations made up of all the regional
association CEOs. In 1992, a four-year project called The Regional Initiative (TRI) was launched
to build the capacity of the rapidly growing field.
Many regional associations wanted to move to a permanent organization after the project ended
in 1995. Because not everyone initially agreed, however, a three-year pilot was launched
instead.
The pilot version of the Forum quickly developed new visibility and collective influence for the
regional associations. In the second demonstration year, the Forum was approached by a
national funder collaborative to lead what would eventually become New Ventures in
Philanthropy. Though the funders’ offer raised challenges for the budding association, it also
signaled the Forum’s acceptance and unique place in the field. That—and the increasingly
valued services the Forum delivered to the regional infrastructure of philanthropy—cemented
the organization’s future. We haven’t looked back since.
2014 Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers