Internet Society Foundation
Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting #F23
11 November 2023
Hilton Prague, Liben 3 Meeting Room, Pobřežní 311/1, 186 00 Praha 8-Rohanský ostrov, Czechia
Closed executive session: Board members and staff only.
Open to observers session: local and remote attendees are welcome to listen in.
Open forum session: local and remote attendees are welcome to ask questions, provide input, and discuss with the board. There are no open forum sessions scheduled for this meeting.
Note: There were no open forum sessions scheduled for this meeting.
Trustees Present In Person:
Ramanou Biaou
Brian Haberman
Ted Hardie
Victor Kuarsingh
Barry Leiba
Luis Martinez
Caleb Ogundele
Robert Pepper
Jon Peterson
Laura Thomson
Sagarika Wickramasekera
Andrew Sullivan, President and CEO, non-voting
Trustees Present via Zoom:
Olufunke Baruwa
Charles Mok
Staff Members Present in Person:
Sarah Armstrong, Executive Director, Internet Society Foundation
Ilona Levine, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Internet Society
Sae Park, Chief Financial Officer, Internet Society
Lauren Terrell, Board Liaison
Sally Wentworth, Managing Director, Internet Society
Guests Present for Certain Portions of the Meeting:
Adrian Cockle
Mabel Gunda
Saturday, 11 November 2023
The meeting started in Open to Observers Session at 9:15 UTC.
1. Welcome, Apologies and Declaration of Conflicts – Ted Hardie
No conflicts were declared.
2. Foundation Year in Review – Andrew Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan presented his report and called attention to KPIs. Out of 62 success measures set by the team, 20 were achieved and 42 were in progress. The presentation included the status update on the Philanthropy, Empowerment, Content and Marketing and Fundraising teams’ work.
Discussion ensued about the status of fundraising.
3. Philanthropy Year in Review – Sarah Armstrong
Ms. Armstrong presented her report on the third quarter (Q3) performance of the Philanthropy team.
Q3 Results Highlights:
- 15 grant programs launched (83% of target: 18)
- $11,344,799.87 committed in funding across the portfolio (target: at least $15 million by end of year)
- 87.77% of the of the 30,000 social media followers target achieved
- Five program learning huddles led and relevant learning questions updated
- Six-month and final check-in calls with reallocated ISOC teams completed
Ms. Armstrong also reported on the team’s 2023 successes, including launching the SCILLS programs in three new countries, the third round of Resilience and BOLT programs, and the sixth round of the Research program.
Discussion ensued with trustees inquiring about the emergency response grants and commending the Philanthropy team on the overall quality of the presentation and their successes.
4. Presentation of the 2024 Philanthropy Action Plan – Sarah Armstrong
Ms. Armstrong also presented the 2024 Philanthropy Action Plan and the associated objectives and programs to be funded. The team plans on committing $12 million, as well as successfully execute all components of grantmaking operations, promote cross-learning, and increase awareness of the Foundation.
Adrian Cockle and Mabel Gunda presented on a new project map that is in the works and will go live in 2024.
Discussion ensued about the 2024 objectives, website and social media presence, and Research program.
The Board recessed at 10:57 UTC and resumed in Closed Executive Session.
The following topics were addressed in the Closed Executive Session:
5. CFO’s Report, Q3 Financials – Sae Park
Ms. Park presented the CFO’s report on the Foundation’s 2023 Q3 financial results, financial summary, and trend analysis.
6. Presentation of the 2024 Budget – Sae Park
Ms. Park presented the Foundation’s 2024 proposed budget.
7. Finance Committee Report on the Proposed Budget – Laura Thomson
Ms. Thomson presented the Finance Committee’s report.
The meeting recessed at 11:20 UTC and resumed in Open to Observers Session at 12:45 UTC.
8. Approval of the Action Plan, Budget, and Board Designated Funds – Ted Hardie
Resolution F2023-X: Approve the 2024 Internet Society Foundation Action Plan and Budget
RESOLVED, that the Internet Society Foundation Board of Trustees approves the 2024 Action Plan and Budget as presented.
Approved unanimously.
Resolution F2023-X: Approve Board-Designated Funds for Internet Society Foundation Programs
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves designating a total of $23,250,000 using the remaining balances in Reserves for Philanthropic programs’ 2024 awards as outlined below:
- an additional $2,000,000 to fund the Resilience and Responding to Emergencies (RARE) program,
- an additional $3,500,000 to fund the Strengthening Communities/Improving Lives and Livelihoods (SCILLS) program,
- an additional $4,500,000 to fund the Research program,
- an additional $1,500,000 to fund Beyond the Net and Chapters, including sponsorships for Global/Regional IGF and Schools of Internet Governance,
- an additional $3,000,000 to fund the Building Opportunities/Leveraging Technologies (BOLT) program,
- an additional $1,750,000 to fund the Opportunities fund, and
- $7,000,000 to fund IETF Administration LLC
Approved unanimously.
Resolution F2023-X: Approve Board-Designated Funds for Internet Society Foundation Programs
RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby approves designating an additional $1,500,000 to fund the Opportunities fund for Global Cyber Alliance using the remaining balances in Reserves.
Approved unanimously.
Resolution F2023-X: Approve the Amended Internet Society Foundation Investment Policy
RESOLVED, that the Board approves the amended Internet Society Foundation Investment Policy as presented.
Approved unanimously.
9. Any Other Business/Parking Lot – Ted Hardie
No other business was raised.
10. Adjournment – Ted Hardie
With no other business, Mr. Hardie adjourned the meeting at 13:00 UTC.