LGBTQ+ CFO Network Membership Guidelines
Ratified by the Advisory Committee on August 8, 2024
What is the LGBTQ+ CFO Network? 1
Mission Statement - Published January 17th, 2025 2
Membership Criteria and Guidelines 2
Number of Members Per Organization 3
Navigating Membership During Staff Turnover 3
Unsubscribing or Leaving the Network 4
Alumni Membership: For those entering for-profit service 4
Network Onboarding - How to apply to join 6
What is the LGBTQ+ CFO Network?
The LGBT CFO network provides peer support and expertise to those who serve a primary role in their organization’s finance operations. Starting in 2006, after the launch of the first Standard Annual Report (SAR) project and the subsequent Community Center Report, the network has grown from a handful to over 125 members, representing scores of LGBTQ+ and related organizations across the nation of various scope and size. Members are part of a high-traffic email listserv, which is used to share important resource information, and poll other members by drawing on talent and experience with matters in areas of financial management, human resource management, operations policies and processes, and technology. In addition to the listserv, the LGBT CFO network hosts monthly video gatherings that provide members with an interactive opportunity to network and discuss important topics. There is an annual in-person gathering where outside professionals like CPAs and attorneys provide professional development opportunities by leading technical training that might otherwise be inaccessible to smaller organizations.
The popularity and demand of the CFO network exploded in 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the network increased the frequency of the monthly video calls to weekly, focusing on pandemic-related issues like managing the federal relief PPP loans, safe reopening of facilities, managing human resource policies and benefits, and navigating a virtual landscape to ensure the continuance of operations. We have also had gatherings to address the personal and organizational impact of Black Lives Matter and centering anti-racism policies and practices in the workplace. At present, CFO Coffee Hours are held monthly and attended by approximately 12 varying participants, including a small core of consistent participants.
Mission Statement - Published January 17th, 2025
The CFO Network strengthens LGBTQ+ organizations by applying a liberation and equity lens to their infrastructure/financial operations, with an understanding that operations work is political/organizing work. Through genuine relationship building, resource sharing, and peer support, the CFO Network fortifies the LGBTQ+** sector in the US and abroad by supporting members to embody the justice and equity they seek to drive forward in society.
(**The CFO Network is committed to solidarity with trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive colleagues.)
DEIJ/B Commitment:
To ensure alignment with the Network’s values and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice/belonging (DEIJ/B), members’ organizations are required to have a publicly available DEIJ/B statement. This statement should outline the organization's commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting equity, and addressing systemic inequities. The DEIJ/B statement must be accessible to the public, either on the organization's website or through other readily available means. We recognize that formal DEIJ/B statements are not universally embraced; organizations can articulate their commitment to DEIJ/B principles as demonstrated through their work. This requirement aims to promote transparency and accountability in our collective efforts towards full liberation.
Membership Criteria and Guidelines
Eligibility
To be eligible for membership in the CFO Network, one must (1) work for an LGBTQ Movement organization (see section “Political Orientation” for definitions) and (2) bear the primary day-to-day financial or financial, plus operations responsibility for that organization. Depending on the size and makeup of an organization, this role generally falls on the Director of Finance, Controller, or CFO.
It is common for the Executive Director or Board Treasurer of very small organizations or community centers to be added to the Network, for these roles often wear multiple hats. In short, membership is not determined by title or quantity as much as it is about the job responsibilities of an organization's roles and how they fit within the guidelines of our definition of member eligibility.
How to Join the Network
Entry into the Network primarily happens through direct introduction by email, either from a current CFO Network member or a liaison from an organization (for example, an ED introducing their new CFO). An introductory email is sent to an identified Movement Advancement Project representative (currently Bill Lorenz or Michel DuBois), who follows up directly with the new member to onboard. Alternatively, a prospective member may be asked to complete a brief questionnaire to gather more information about their eligibility for participation in the Network.
Political Orientation
Beyond the conventional challenges navigated by those who bottom line financial infrastructures, organizations whose work centers on LGBTQ people and issues often face operational and, by extension, financial challenges unique to this population (e.g. defining dependents, finding trans-affirming care). The LGBT CFO Network was created—and continues—to be a forum for ideation and problem-solving around these challenges; challenges that, while shared, are not uniform.
The purpose of our network, LGBTQ+ Focus, is to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people through an unequivocal embrace of a DEI lens. Most organizations tackle a range of identities and human experiences based on race, ability, gender expression, faith, and socioeconomic status.
This diversity enriches our discussions and problem-solving efforts, acknowledging that members may have varying perspectives on values, strategies, or practices related to our shared mission. While the Network does not impose strict political litmus tests for admission, we also do not endorse a carte blanche policy regarding political positions or affiliations. Individuals & Organizations whose work or affiliations espouse or promote policies or positions that would likely be seen by current network membership as antithetical to DEI Principals will not be admitted into the Network.
Number of Members Per Organization
Typically, there is one member per organization; however, there are some organizations that have two or more members who all play a key role in finance operations for the organization. For most organizations that have more than one member in the Network, it is usually because they have someone dedicated to finance and another dedicated to operations. For example, they may have a Controller, but the Executive Director or Board Treasurer serves as the organization’s CFO/COO and plays a key role in the day-to-day financial operations.
Membership is limited to two members per organization. Occasionally, exceptions have been made for large organizations, with several individuals playing key roles in finance operations. For example, an exception might be made for a very large organization that has a CFO, Director of Finance, and Controller.
Navigating Membership During Staff Turnover
When members leave their positions, their organizations can request to temporarily designate Network membership to another staff member—typically the Executive Director or whoever is assuming the organization's day-to-day financial responsibilities in the interim. Once the vacancy is filled, membership will be transitioned to the new hire fulfilling the CFO role.
To request temporary designation, the prospective temporary member can complete a brief questionnaire. When prompted to answer whether they carry the day-to-day financial responsibility for the organization, the applicant should select “Other” and explain that the organization is in a period of staffing transition and is requesting temporary membership.
Unsubscribing or Leaving the Network
Members may unsubscribe to the listserv at any time through Gaggle (currently, or in the future with ClubExpress, members can control their Email preferences to remove themselves; or by emailing the list administrator.)
Alumni Membership
Members who leave their positions may continue their participation in the Network. Currently, there is no guidance or policy around managing alumni members. This means that if a member leaves their job to work for a for-profit organization or an unrelated nonprofit, the Network does not rescind their membership, nor does it require them to resign.
Many members who move on to other nonprofit organizations continue to find value in the Network’s offerings. Typically, Alumni members make their own determination of whether the Network meets their needs and choose to leave voluntarily when they feel it is no longer a good fit.
Alumni Membership: For those entering for-profit service
Some network members leave their LGBTQ+ org to enter for-profit organizations whose mission is to serve non-profits or even LGBTQ+ non-profit organizations specifically. To preserve the special quality of the network and its related programming, these guidelines are in place.
- The move to for-profit work is a valid career path, which can and should be modeled particularly for our more junior members.
- The extremely high degree of selfless service, peer-to-peer knowledge/skill sharing, and interpersonal relations that arise in this environment are part of the "Special quality” we seek to preserve by avoiding the commercialization of our space.
- For this reason, we seek to limit the fact and appearance of self-promotion, which is so common in the broader capitalist economic system in which we live.
- When engaging with others, seek to offer help without direct mention of your for-profit entity; those who know you and get to know you will understand that you’re in a service-based business (whether your own or another’s).
- List your for-profit entity in your signature line if you wish, but do not link to any resource controlled or branded by your business
- You are eligible to present in peer-lead conversations made available to the CFO Conference; or if you are a subject-matter expert, you are eligible to present CPE-level materials subject to the same structures that other “traditional” presenters are abiding by (whether required sponsorship, etc.)
- Promotion is permitted with sponsorship of the network at the Gold Level.
- You may publish a static (approved) webpage describing your CFO Network sponsorship.
- We will link to your page from a page of listings on the CFO Network website.
- You can publish a link to this listing page in your Network communications.
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Network Onboarding - How to apply to join
Application for membership
- Complete this survey and/or
Email LGBTQ+ CFO Network Managing Director at admin@lgbtqcfonetwork.org - Applications that meet eligibility criteria will be added to the LGBTQ+CFO Network Listserve
- Important Save the Dates:
- CFO Coffee Hour - 2pm ET, last Fridays of the month
(announced week of via the Listserv) - Annual LGBTQ+ CFO Conference - typically 1st week of December
(announced regularly via Listserve and on: Home - LGBTQI+ CFO Network (lgbtcfonetwork.org)
- Appeals regarding criteria eligibility can be addressed to the Advisory Committee. To access Advisory Committee, see: Advisory Committee Roster
Version History:
{CURRENT} 6/13/25 - Update Step one of application process to reflect 6/12 Managing Director role
4/15/25 - Appeals section updated to point to Advisory Committee Roster Only
1/17/25 - Mission Statement Added
9/12/24 - Original Draft Published
LGBTQ+ CFO Network Membership Guidelines - Ratified August 8, 2024 | Page of |