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.

October 1, 2026 SEC Proposes to Rescind Shareholder Proposal Rule, Proposes Changes to Proxy Solicitation Process

The recission of Rule 14a-8 would leave shareholder proposal determinations to state law and company governing documents. According to an SEC fact sheet, changes to Rule 14a-4(c) would provide companies with greater flexibility to obtain discretionary voting authority regarding shareholder proposals submitted outside of Rule 14a-8.

September 30, 2026 SEC Issues Order Granting Relief to Tokenized Securities Venues

In a statement supporting the relief SEC Chair Paul Atkins stated “the Securities and Exchange Commission is taking a significant step forward, within its statutory authority, to bring America’s capital markets into the digital age by facilitating onchain trading of certain tokenized stocks through the ‘Innovation Exemption...”

September 29, 2026 Event of Interest: K&L Gates to Host Webinar on Retailization of Alternatives

The K&L team plan to discuss the trends, business considerations, and lessons emerging from today's retailization landscape. Understanding developments in this area will be key as managers look to expand access to private market strategies and sponsors are increasingly evaluating interval funds, tender offer funds, and BDCs as pathways to the private markets.

September 28, 2026 Event of Interest: Morgan Lewis to Host Webinar on Digital Assets, Predictive Markets

Panelists from Morgan Lewis will examine the latest legislative and regulatory developments, their implications for financial institutions, fintech companies, and gaming businesses, and what organizations should expect as new rules are implemented.

September 24, 2026 ACA Survey Explores 2026 Investment Management Compliance Programs

The ACA survey report states that 80% of firms have now formally adopted AI tools and 86% of respondents have acceptable use policies for those AI tools. Furthermore, 86% of survey respondents maintain an inventory of AI tools used by their firm.

Upcoming Events

Full calendar

October 13, 2026
AI in Fund Audits: What Directors Need to Know
As part of MFDF's AI for Fund Boards webinar series, KPMG will provide practical guidance on how audit committees of RICs should consider in their oversight responsibilities regarding the use of AI in fund audits. The webinar will broadcast live from 2 pm - 3 pm (ET).
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October 14, 2026
Educational Content Advisory Group
In October 2026, MFDF will host a call of the Educational Content Advisory Group to invite member input into MFDF's educational offerings.
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October 15, 2026
In Focus - Board Oversight Approaches to AI and Risk Management
MFDF is pleased to partner with Willkie to offer a 3-part In Focus series on Board Oversight and Usage of AI, a confidential virtual discussion specifically designed for current RIC independent directors and CCOs. This second discussion will focus on board oversight approaches for AI as part of independent directors' risk oversight duties. This virtual session will be on Zoom from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (ET). Spaces are limited.
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Newest Resources

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September 18, 2026

Webinar Archive: How the SPIVA U.S. Scorecard Understates the Performance of Actively Managed Mutual Funds - What Directors Should Know

IAA President & CEO Karen Barr will moderate a webinar from a new academic study "How the SPIVA U.S. Scorecard Understates the Performance of Actively Managed Mutual Funds" conducted by K.J. Martijn Cremers, Jon Fulkerson, and Timothy B. Riley. This webinar originally aired on September 17, 2026.
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September 15, 2026

Webinar Archive: Intermediary Fees: What Today’s Trends Mean for Independent Directors

Barrington Partners shares key insights from its latest Intermediary Fee Survey to help independent directors understand how current market trends may inform effective fee oversight. This webinar originally aired on September 14, 2026.
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September 11, 2026

Webinar Archive: How Tokenization is Reshaping Funds: A Director’s Guide

Stradley Ronon partners Jamie Gershkow and Jesse Kanach will outline practical frameworks to help independent fund directors understand the fundamentals of tokenization and key considerations related to oversight of tokenized products. This webinar originally aired on September 10, 2026.
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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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