Getting Involved in GFOA
Below are volunteer opportunities to enhance your membership and career.
GFOA exists to advance excellence in public finance, support the thousands of individuals who work in the profession, and provide leadership in building thriving communities. GFOA relies on hundreds of practitioner volunteers to support programs and services. This page provides an overview of volunteer opportunities available within GFOA.
Leadership Opportunities
GFOA Networking Groups
Black Caucus of the GFOA
Established in 1991, our mission is to diligently support the aspirations and achievements of African-American public finance officers; to pursue professional development opportunities for our members; and to sponsor projects to assist African-Americans seeking careers in government finance.
Women's Public Finance Network
Established in 1990, the Women's Public Finance Network (WPFN) is a voluntary association of women, elected and appointed officials, and other women finance professionals, formed within the GFOA of the United States and Canada.
Urban Forum
The Urban Forum was created in 2006 and held its initial meeting at GFOA's Montreal conference in May 2006. The forum provides an opportunity for members of large governments to network and exchange information on topics unique to the demands of managing their large and complex entities.
Small Government Forum
Created in 2015, the Small Government Forum held its first meeting at GFOA’s Annual Conference in May of 2016. The SGF provides an opportunity for members of small governments to network and exchange information on topics unique to the demands of managing small government.
Utility Finance Forum
The Utility Finance Forum is composed of GFOA members from utility organizations and municipalities that operate utilities. The Utility Finance Forum allows members to engage in topics like rate setting, enterprise accounting, asset management, and understanding regulations.
Alliance for Excellence in School Budgeting
The Alliance for Excellence in School Budgeting is an early adopter group of 90-plus school districts working on implementing GFOA's Best Practices in School Budgeting. A part of the Smarter School Spending initiative, the Alliance first met in 2015 and includes a diverse group of districts from across the United States. Member districts range in size from several hundred students to several hundred thousand students, representing a broad range of student performance and other key demographics as well.
Award Reviewers
Volunteers support each of GFOA's award programs. Volunteers are sent financial reports and budget documents based on volunteer availability to provide feedback to the program participant.