Committee Descriptions

Governance and Nominating Committee

Chaired by the First Vice-President

The Governance Committee will promote the interests of the Foundation by:  (1) identifying and recruiting a diverse board of trustees; (2) overseeing the educational component of each board meeting; (3) proposing a slate of officers each May for Board consideration; (4) recommending changes to the by-laws, as well as organizational, committee or board structures as deemed appropriate from time to time; (5) monitoring the strategic plan to ensure the goals are being met and all members of the board is engaged in fulfilling the mission;  (6) ensure that each trustees is fulfilling his/her commitment as a board member; (7) provide educational opportunities for trustees as needed.

Developing the agendas for the board meetings will be the responsibility of the President in conjunction with staff.  This committee may provide input from time to time as deemed necessary.

Community Coalition Committee

This newly formed standing committee is in the process of defining its mission and goals, so you have the opportunity to get in on the ground floor.  The vision is for this committee to identify a community need based on research already done by the United Way.  The committee will consider needs that have been identified as having high priority and low resources and consider the ability to attract funding both outside and within our community.  Further, this committee will identify the stakeholders and, once the mission, vision, and funding have been confirm, form a separate coalition board to continue to meet the need within the community.  The process is expected to take more than one full year, after which the Community Coalition Committee may identify a new community need.

Grants

The role of the Grants Committee is to develop a process for receiving and reviewing grant proposals with the goal of recommending awards of the available Field of Interest and non-restricted grant money to the VCF Board of Trustees. The Grants Committee shall be comprised of at least 8 board members and 2 - 4 community (non-board) members.

Scholarships

The Scholarship Committee is responsible for the selection of nominees to receive the Lilly Endowment Scholarships.  The Committee shall develop a process for receiving and reviewing scholarship applications with the goal of recommending a specified number of nominees to the VCF Board of Trustees for approval.  The Scholarship Committee shall be comprised of at least 6 Board Members and 2 - 4 community (non-board) members.

Community Scholarship Committees

These committees are comprised of non-board member volunteers.  Responibilities are to review scholarship applications for community scholarships to recommend recipients to the VCF Board of Trustees for approval.   The committee make-up depends upon the criteria and requirements of the scholarship funds. 

Representative to Alliance Board (2 board members - No current openings)

The Representatives to the Alliance Board shall serve as a liaison to the Community Foundation Alliance Board.  Responsibilities are to prepare for and attend all Board meetings of the Alliance, actively participate on Alliance committees as assigned, report to the Foundation board of trustees concerning Alliance matters, and represent the interests of the Foundation as a member of the Alliance.

Ad-Hoc Committees

Various ad-hoc committees are necessary to conduct the business of the Foundation including event committees, asset development, and past trustees advisory committee.  Additionally, several of our board members serve on the advisory board of the Women's Fund of Vanderburgh County, an initiative of the VCF.