The Comparative Board Report (CBR) is the only board self-assessment tool that includes comparative data gathered through large-scale research on foundation boards. CEP provides a facilitated discussion of CBR results and implications that offers boards an opportunity to closely examine their functioning in a number of areas, including board dynamics, capabilities and expertise of board members, and the board’s role in strategy development. Based on confidential surveys of foundation trustees and foundation CEOs, the CBR draws on findings from CEP’s Foundation Governance Project, which are discussed in CEP's reports, Foundation Governance: The CEO Viewpoint, and Beyond Compliance: The Trustee Viewpoint on Effective Foundation Governance. The CBR was piloted in early 2005, as part of Phase II of the Foundation Governance Project. To date, more than 60 foundations have engaged the CBR – including private, community, and family foundations.

For more information about participating in the next round of CBRs, contact Romero Hayman, Manager, at (617) 492-0800 ext. 211. Click here to view the CBR timeline (pdf).

Sample Chart

Foundation boards use the CBR as a basis for discussions about board performance. Boards have made significant changes based on their discussions, including:

• Expansion of a board to bring on needed, relevant skills
• Refocusing of agendas to free up time in key areas, such as strategy development, where boards frequently want more engagement
• Revisions of board materials to be more streamlined and focused on key, strategic issues
• Re-examination of board dynamics in the face of evidence of a lack of comfort opposing staff and/or other board members

What Foundation Leaders Are Saying About the CBR

“CEP’s Comparative Board Report offered an extremely useful launching point for an in-depth discussion with our board regarding effective governance. In addition to providing a vehicle for board members to offer confidential feedback on perceptions of the board’s performance, the survey was especially helpful in contextualizing that data within a broader universe of other foundations.”
–James E. Canales, President & CEO, The James Irvine Foundation

“We were about to hold a retreat for the board and staff to discuss our mission, governance, and our strategy for the next few years. CEP’s Comparative Board Report provided an excellent backdrop to carry out in-depth discussions on how we govern today and how we might want to govern in the future. The confidential nature of the input and the comparative analysis with the other participating foundations was very helpful to us.”
–Thomas E. Baker, President, The John R. Oishei Foundation

Foundation Participants

For a list of foundations that have received the CBR, click here.

A discount is available for Premium Members of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO).

For more information about obtaining a Comparative Board Report, please contact Romero Hayman, Manager, at (617) 492-0800 ext. 211.