FDL Area Foundation Executive Director Serves On National Standards Review Board

Fond du Lac Area Foundation Executive Director Sandi Roehrig recently returned from Washington D.C. where she was serving on the Community Foundations National Standards Review Team.  This is a small group of  ten experienced Executive Directors in the Community Foundation field that were chosen based on their expertise on the rules and regulations that Community Foundations must follow.  Sandi has been on the National Standards Review Team for over 10 years.  The Fond du Lac Area Foundation has been in compliance with these rigorous National Standards since 2001.

The Council on Foundations and leaders of the community foundation field created the National Standards in 2000 to aid community foundations in establishing legal, ethical and effective operational practices that would show the foundations’ transparency and financial responsibility in light of the increased public scrutiny of foundation practices.  In addition, National Standards were developed to distinguish community foundations from other philanthropic vehicles, build the capacity of community foundations to carry out their missions, and assist the field with self-regulation in a manner viewed positively by the Internal Revenue Service.

The National Standards seal was developed for community foundations to signify that they have been confirmed in compliance with National Standards.  Professional advisors and prospective donors will recognize the seal as an indication of the integrity and demonstrated excellence of the compliant foundation.  In order to achieve Confirmation of Compliance with the National Standards, community foundations must undergo an extensive review of their organizational and financial policies and procedures. The review is performed by trained, experienced community foundation practitioners.

U.S. community foundations serve tens of thousands of donors and administer more than $40 billion in charitable funds. Of the nearly 700 community foundations in the United States, over 500 have pledged to comply with the National Standards. To date, 420 community foundations have been found in compliance with National Standards.  These community foundations represent foundations from across the nation and the size of their assets range from the smallest to the largest in the field. 

Sandi Roehrig is the Executive Director of the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, a $27 million community foundation that serves the Fond du Lac County and the surrounding area.  She has been with the Fond du Lac Area Foundation since 1993 and has served as Executive Director since 1995.  During Roehrig’s leadership tenure, the Foundation has experienced tremendous growth.  In 1995, the Fond du Lac Area Foundation had a little over $3 million in assets.  The Fond du Lac Area Foundation is a community foundation that exists for the good of the community.  The purpose of the Foundation is to build a permanent and lasting endowment to support the charitable needs of the Fond du Lac Community now and forever.