Trustee Compensation: A Topical Resource List

The following resources discuss compensation for trustees serving on the boards of foundations.

Ahn, Christine, Pablo Eisenberg, and Channapha Khamvongsa. Foundation Trustee Fees: Use and Abuse. Washington, DC: Georgetown Public Policy Institute. Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership. 2003. 46 p.

The authors present the statistical results and their conclusions from a survey of 238 foundations (based on the 990-PF form). The study examined the prevalence of trustee compensation practices of both large and smaller foundations.

Beggs, Sara. Trustee Compensation for Small Foundations. . Washington, DC: Association of Small Foundations, 2005. 17 p. (Primer Series).

The guide helps boards develop compensation policies for routine board service. Chapters discuss laws governing trustee compensation, conflict of interest issues, appropriate compensation levels, among other topics.

"Money Talks: Top Foundation Leaders Reveal How They Set Payout Rates, Executive Salaries, and Trustee Compensation." Stanford Social Innovation Review Vol. 2 (Summer 2004) p. 52-9.

This roundtable discussion presents a dialogue that included John Healy (Atlantic Philanthropies), Paul Brest (William and Flora Hewlett Foundation), Alexa Cortes Culwell (Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation), Peter Hero (Community Foundation Silicon Valley) and Kirke Wilson (Rosenberg Foundation), among others.

Schambra, William A"Board Compensation: To Pay, or Not to Pay". Philanthropy Vol. 22 (January-February 2008): p. 26-31.

Explores the debate over compensation for foundation board members.

What Drives Foundation Expenses and Compensation? Results of a Three-Year Study. Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2008. xvi, 87 p.

Presents final results from the Foundation Expenses and Compensation Project, which analyzed data from the 10,000 largest U.S. grantmaking foundations from 2001 to 2003. The study notes that staffing is a significant factor in charitable administrative expenditures. Issued by the Urban Institute, Foundation Center, and GuideStar, the report expands on findings from an earlier study, "Foundations Expenses and Compensation: How Operating Characteristics Influence Spending." Full-text available