Trusted Insight for Independent Oversight

MFDF is an independent association for independent directors of mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds, and other registered investment companies.

MFDF helps independent directors navigate an evolving regulatory environment and steward shareholders’ investments. MFDF provides tailored educational resources and facilitates peer-to-peer networking, with offerings that include webinars, white papers, and interactive conferences. As an independent association, MFDF’s membership includes a wide range of fund boards and represents a diverse community of directors.

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Educational Offerings

MFDF provides comprehensive and high-quality educational resources tailored to independent directors. Explore upcoming programs, including webinars, single-day in-person seminars, multi-day conferences, and informal networking discussions.

Insights for the Field

The nature of the work of independent directors is ever-evolving. Read the latest news, practical guidance, comment letters to regulators, and other viewpoints.

Become a Member

Your goal is to steward your investors’ resources. We promise to steward yours. We take our role as your trusted partner seriously. And we pride ourselves on accessible membership dues and meaningful opportunities to learn and connect.

April 3, 2025 SEC Withdraws Litigation Support for Climate Disclosure Rule

On March 27, the SEC voted to abandon its prior defense of climate disclosure rules for public companies adopted in March 2024. Following its vote, the SEC sent a letter to the court that had consolidated the pending litigation that it was withdrawing its defense of the rules.

April 2, 2025 MFDF Webinar: Director Oversight of Fund Management and Selected Fund Service Providers

On Thursday, April 3 at 2:00pm ET, MFDF and Paul Felsch the Founder & Owner of compliance consulting firm Helios, plan to host a webinar titled “Protectors & Partners: Best Practices of Director Oversight of Fund Management and Selected Fund Service Providers.”

April 1, 2025 Ropes & Gray Releases White Paper on ETF Share Class Issues

Ropes & Gray published a white paper and recorded a webinar outlining how fund groups can prepare for anticipated SEC exemptive relief. The paper notes several considerations fund complexes should consider prior to launching an ETF share class, which include, the fund board’s “best interest determination,” operational hurdles, and service provider requirements.

March 31, 2025 Senate Banking Committee Holds Confirmation Hearing for SEC Nominee Paul Atkins

In his written testimony, Atkins noted that regulation should be “smart, effective, and appropriately tailored within the confines of the regulator’s statutory authority… clear rules of the road benefit all market participants.” His testimony emphasized that the role of the SEC should be to facilitate well-designed regulation, analyze effectiveness of regulation, and utilize the SEC’s enforcement arm to challenge illegal behavior.

March 27, 2025 SEC Provides Guidance on Accredited Investor Definition

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Division of Corporate Finance issued a no-action letter clarifying what “reasonable steps” means to verify an individual’s accredited investor status as required under amended Rule 506(c) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933.

Upcoming Events

Full calendar

April 10, 2025
Exploring a Decade of Transformation in US & European Fund Fee Trends
Join Broadridge's Jeff Tjornehoj as he highlights the findings from the 2024 Broadridge white paper on key factors affecting the fund fees across the US, UK, Ireland, and Luxembourg.. The webinar will broadcast live from 2 pm - 3 pm (ET).
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Boston April 15, 2025
Director Discussion Series - Open Forum (Boston)
MFDF will host an in-person Director Discussion Series lunch in Boston to facilitate discussions for independent directors and CCOs to discuss timely issues brought up by participants. The event will be in-person from 12 pm - 2 pm at the offices of PwC in Boston.
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April 17, 2025
SEC-ing is Believing: The First 100 Days of the Trump Administration
Join Sara Crovitz and Miranda Sturgis, partners at Stradley Ronon, in a discussion of the opening months of the new administration and implications for fund directors. The webinar will broadcast live from 2 pm - 3 pm (ET).
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Newest Resources

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MFDF Member Series - Leveraging MFDF Membership to Locate Future Directors

Leslie Beckbridge, MFDF's Operations and Member Services Manager, highlighted MFDF's Director Candidate Database, a service that provides curated candidate lists in response to member boards' requirements. The webinar provided an overview of the Database, discussed how members can use it as part of succession planning efforts, and shared insights to get the best results from your inquiry.

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Board Diversity Resources

Explore news and resources relating to fund board diversity.

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