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.

February 5, 2025 Senate Finance Committee Holds Confirmation Hearing for Treasury Nominee Bessent

During the hearing, Scott Bessent voiced his support for tariffs, noting that they were a versatile tool that could be used to remedy unfair trade practices, raise revenues, and provide leverage in trade negotiations. He also voiced his support for an extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) provisions, particularly individual tax rates.

February 4, 2025 Vanguard Settles SEC Charges After Target-Date Fund Violations

The SEC Order found that Vanguard made “misleading statements related to capital gains distributions and tax consequences for retail investors who held Vanguard Investor Target Retirement Funds in taxable accounts.” Vanguard was fined a total of $106.41 million for its violations of the Investment Adviser Act and Investment Company Act.

February 3, 2025 Morgan Lewis AI Bootcamp Series

Morgan Lewis plans to hold a series of webinars titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Boot Camp.” This series will explore the challenges and benefits of AI technology across several issue areas including the use of AI by the U.S. Government, copyright law, privacy, cybersecurity, and algorithmic pricing in anti-trust cases, among other topics.

January 30, 2025 SEC Releases Names Rule FAQs

In the FAQs, the SEC staff outline several common questions received from industry participants on the following topics: The Definition of “Income”, “High-Yield”, “Money Market”, and “Tax-Sensitive” terms; Adoption of an 80% Investment Policy; and Tax-Exempt Funds.

January 29, 2025 Commissioner Peirce to Lead SEC Crypto Task Force

According to an SEC press release, the Task Force will help “draw clear regulatory lines, provide realistic paths to registration, craft sensible disclosure frameworks, and deploy enforcement resources judiciously.” The task force will provide technical assistance to Members of Congress, coordinate with federal departments and agencies (including the CFTC), as well as state and international regulatory bodies.

Upcoming Events

Full calendar

February 6, 2025
In Focus: Understanding Distribution - What the Data Can Tell You
Fran Cashman and John Krieg CFA, CAIA, will lead discussions with directors that provide deeper insight into the use and understanding of data that directors may consider in the evaluation of their distribution contract responsibility. This virtual event will take place on Zoom at 1 pm (ET).
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Stuart February 10, 2025
Director Discussion Series - Open Forum (Stuart, FL)
MFDF will host an in-person Director Discussion Series lunch in Stuart, FL to facilitate discussions for independent directors and CCOs to discuss timely issues brought up by participants. The event will be in-person from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at Willoughby Golf Club located at 3001 SE Doubleton Drive in Stuart, FL.
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Naples February 11, 2025
Director Discussion Series - Open Forum (Naples, FL)
MFDF will host an in-person Director Discussion Series lunch in Naples, FL to facilitate discussions for independent directors and CCOs to discuss timely issues brought up by participants. The event will be in-person from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at Wyndemere Country Club located at 700 Wyndemere Way, Naples, FL.
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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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