CSN Membership Application

If you are interested in joining the California Stewardship Network (CSN), please review the following information and complete the Application Form below.

CSN Values

All Member and candidate organizations shall demonstrate the following set of values, which will be used as criteria for informing admission into the CSN:

• Stewardship Ethic: We believe that everyone must invest in the future of our State, and act with respect, responsibility, accountability and trust as we work together to improve California.
• Collaborative Approach: We believe in an inclusive, authentic, trust-building, and regional approach to problem-solving that seeks common ground.
• Business Leadership: We believe that business people, acting as stewards of the whole, must engage and insist on results.
• Pragmatism and Innovation: We believe it is important to be realistic, but embrace creative ideas, an acceptance of risk and have a willingness to allow for and learn from failure.
• Value & Celebrate Diversity: We believe that ethnic, economic, and regional diversity continues to be one of the fundamental strengths of our State and our regions.
• Regional Freedom and Statewide Collaboration: We believe that regions of California must have the freedom to determine their own best course, but that we must also choose to work together for the future of California and be held to the same standards.
• Triple Bottom Line Commitment: A community investment strategy and accounting framework that recognizes the three forms of capital: financial, social, and natural; directs and prioritizes investment to areas that increase all three forms of capital simultaneously; and measures performance by financial, social, and environmental outcomes.

CSN Revenue Recommendations

In accordance with the CA FWD-CSN Partnership Agreement, each Member organization is expected to contribute to the financial sustainability of the CSN using the guidance provided below.

1. Annual Membership Dues: These dues provide revenue for general operational expenses of the CSN. Annual dues are invoiced at the beginning of CA FWD’s fiscal year and due no later than the end of Q1 of the calendar year. For organizations with budgets up to $1M, the dues are $1,500; for organizations with budgets $1-5M, the dues are $2,000; and for organizations with budgets over $5M, the dues are $2,500.

2. CSN Exchange Registration Fees: These fees are meant to help offset the costs of Exchange expenses and provide additional revenue for general operational expenses of the CSN. One Exchange is held in Q1 of the calendar year, while a second Exchange is scheduled for Q3. These fees will be implemented with the first CSN Exchange of 2026. For organizations with budgets up to $1M, Exchange registration fees are $300 per person ($200 for additional representatives); for organizations with budgets $1-5M, Exchange registration fees are $400 per person ($300 for additional representatives); and for organizations with budgets over $5M, Exchange registration fees are $500 per person ($400 for additional representatives). A registration discount of $100 per person is available to organizations who attend both CSN Exchanges each year.

3. Becky Morgan Steward Leaders Program: Members are responsible for nominating and sponsoring individuals to the Morgan Fellows Program during each cohort cycle of the program. Sponsorship entails underwriting the costs of a Fellow’s participation in the program, which includes travel, lodging, per diems, and any other expenses incurred during program participation. Payments for these expenses are made by the Member; a sponsorship amount is not submitted to CA FWD. Payments for participation expenses are made throughout the duration of the program.

4. California Steward Leader Awards Celebration: A sponsorship document will be available for each year’s event and will include branding opportunities. Sponsorships made or secured by a Member organization will count toward the Member’s annual “Get” total. Securing sponsorships at least one month prior to the date of the event is ideal. The revenue goal for this event is $66,000. The event is anticipated to be scheduled in August of every year, so securing sponsorships by the end of July is ideal.

5. California Economic Summit: A sponsorship document will be available for each year’s event and will include branding opportunities. Sponsorships made or secured by a Member organization will count toward the Member’s annual “Get” total. The unrestricted revenue generated from this event helps partially fund general operational expenses of the CSN. The event generally takes place in October of every year, so securing sponsorships by the end of September is ideal.

6. Annual “Get”: This amount is meant to be secured by each Member organization in addition to their Annual Membership dues and Exchange registration fees. While the Member organization is welcome to give this annual amount (which may include in-kind contributions), the Member can opt to secure a donation and/or sponsorship from a regional partner such as a Board Member, industry partner, or philanthropic organization. Donations and/or sponsorships secured in support of Exchanges, the California Steward Leader Awards Celebration, or the California Economic Summit will count toward the Member’s annual “Get” total. Donations secured in support of general operational expenses of the CSN will also count toward a Member’s annual “Get” total. Members’ annual “Get” amounts will be totaled at the end of the calendar year. Annual “Get” amounts will begin in 2026.

Membership Recruitment Process

Step 1: Prospective organization confirms its interest in CSN membership via submission of a standardized application available on the CSN webpage.

Step 2: Prospective organization, represented by its chief or operating executive, or equivalent and other designee(s), participates in a meeting with at least two (2) Committee members to learn about membership value, ask pertinent questions, and discern the organization’s alignment with CSN values and Membership Criteria. This meeting may be conducted in person or virtually. Only Membership Committee members who do not operate in the same regions as the prospective organization can participate in Step 2. Participating Committee members confirm their approval or disapproval to continue the membership process with the prospective organization. A final decision will be communicated back to the prospective organization within sixty (60) days.

Step 3: Prospective organization shall submit to CA FWD staff a Letter of Commitment, on organizational letterhead and signed by the Chair of its Board of Directors, confirming the organization’s alignment and adherence to CSN values and Membership Criteria.

Step 4: Upon completion of all prior steps in the membership process, the prospective organization’s admission into the CSN will be voted upon at a regularly scheduled Membership Meeting and require a majority vote of the Membership. The outcome of the vote will be reported by CA FWD staff to the prospective organization.

Step 5: Prospective organizations admitted into the CSN shall render payment for annual baseline dues within sixty (60) days of admission.

CSN Membership Application Form

If you have any questions, please contact Ismael (Ish) Herrera, Senior Advisor, (559) 304-6450, ish@cafwd.org

CSN Membership Committee Members