Community Foundation CEOs are at the forefront of building connections within and for their community – with local leaders, nonprofit organizations, donors, resident groups, government entities and regional and national stakeholders. With the help of board members, staff and local volunteers, CEOs bring these actors together as needed and leverage action, resources and collaboration to catalyze and create positive impact in their communities.

 CEOs face a set of challenges and responsibilities that are unique from other foundation staff, who generally have more specialized jobs. Besides being chief strategist and leader for the board and staff, CEOs must stay abreast of local, state and national issues/trends; identify good practice for managing and operating the community foundation; and spot and adapt the latest innovations and thinking on how to build strong, healthy and vibrant communities – and the foundation’s role in it.

 CEONet is a national network of community foundation CEOs that help each other do their job. It facilitates useful learning from peer CEOs and from issue and organizational changemakers. It provides a ready and vital network of colleagues who offer mutual support and strengthen peer CEOs in their unique roles.