Brush Foundation- Application for the Board of Managers (Volunteer Role)

About the Brush Foundation and the Board of Managers

The Brush Foundation is a private foundation that was formed in 1928 and is dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice for every human being by supporting work that:

• Ensures rights and equity in accessing comprehensive care, including family planning and abortion;
• Promotes a culture of acceptance and support for sexual and reproductive health service access and education; and
• Supports grassroots organizing and community empowerment that prioritizes those most marginalized.

Members of the Board of Managers serve as the volunteer governing body of Brush Foundation and are responsible for stewarding the Foundation’s mission and strategic direction for funding.

The Board provides grantmaking oversight, approves general financial decisions, establishes policy, and ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements governing private foundations. Managers act collectively to advance sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice in alignment with the Foundation’s state-based funding strategy in Ohio.

Please note that if you work for an organization that has been funded by the Brush Foundation in the last five years, you cannot be considered for a seat on the Board of Managers.

Core Responsibilities:

Governance & Fiduciary Oversight

• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations governing private foundations
• Review and approve annual budgets and major expenditures
• Monitor compliance with IRS minimum payout requirements
• Uphold and adhere to Foundation policies, including Conflict of Interest

Strategic Leadership

• Periodically assess the reproductive health and justice landscape
• Refine and approve the Foundation’s funding strategy
• Engage in strategic discussions regarding long-term impact
• Support mission alignment in all decisions

Grantmaking Oversight

• Review and evaluate award applications if assigned
• Vote on award approvals and allocations
• When appropriate, engage with grantees and stakeholders for clarification

Financial Stewardship

• Review semi-annual financial reports from the trustee for accuracy and completeness
• Monitor investment performance and adherence to socially responsible investment principles
• Ensure administrative expenses remain within established guidelines
• Participate in Finance Committee oversight if assigned

Committee Participation

Managers are expected to:

• Serve on at least one standing or ad hoc committee (Executive, Finance, Grants Review, Governance)
• Attend committee meetings and actively contribute
• Support committee recommendations to the full Board
• If chairing a committee, work with Brush’s Program Director to schedule regular meetings and keep the committee and Board of Managers informed about the work and initiatives of that committee

Meeting Attendance & Preparation

Managers are expected to:

• Attend biannual Board meetings (spring and fall, typically May and November)
• Participate in at least one in-person two-day meeting in May annually. This meeting generally takes place in Cleveland or Columbus, Ohio. Our Fall meeting is typically held virtually and is five to six hours long with a break
• Review meeting materials in advance
• Engage thoughtfully and constructively in discussions
• Fulfill quorum and voting obligations as outlined in the Code of Regulations

Ethical Standards & Confidentiality

Managers must:

• Disclose potential conflicts of interest annually and as they arise
• Maintain confidentiality of Board materials and deliberations
• Recuse themselves from discussions or votes in which conflicts of interest exist
• Conduct themselves in a collegial, respectful, and professional manner

Qualifications & Attributes

The Foundation seeks Managers who bring one or more of the following:

• Experience in reproductive health, rights, or justice advocacy
• Philanthropic, nonprofit, or grantmaking experience
• Financial, legal, governance, or investment expertise
• Commitment to equity and reproductive justice principles
• Thoughtful judgment and ability to engage in complex discussions
• Willingness to engage in collaborative governance 

Time Commitment

• Two full Board meetings per year, which generally comprise two full work days of meeting time in total
• Committee participation (dependent on committee meeting cadence, usually ~6 times per year, one-hour meetings are typically with short bursts of work time in between
• Preparation time for reviewing proposals and materials
• Occasional special meetings or voting outside regular meetings
• Our board operates in the EST time zone

Accountability

Managers are collectively responsible for:

• Upholding the Foundation’s mission and integrity
• Ensuring responsible and compliant grantmaking
• Maintaining financial health and long-term sustainability
• Periodically evaluating the effectiveness of the Board of Managers and the Foundation’s employee structure

To apply, please fill out the application form on the next page. We will not accept applications via email. Uploading your resume and providing a cover letter are optional. We only require that you answer the questions on the application. If you require accommodations to complete an application, please contact [email protected] for support.

We will have our application open until Tuesday, April 28th at noon EST. We will be interviewing potential candidates between May 11th-22nd, and our Board of Managers will vote in new recruits by May 29th, 2026. This term will start with onboarding in June or July of 2026.

At the Brush Foundation, we believe that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive board makes us a more relevant, more creative, and more resilient organization. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or caregiver status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in board service to perform essential board functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of board membership.

A Note to Potential Candidates:

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary folks, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for positions of power unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a position description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidates for our board. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you do not have prior experience.