It's hard to underestimate how crucial the board is in setting an institution's direction. In the United States, the boards of public and private institutions have wildly divergent characteristics. Boards at public institutions are typically smaller than those at private institutions. Board members of public institutions are usually appointed by a state governor, while board members at private institutions are recruited and selected. Advancement teams will always have some responsibility for the board's fundraising activities, whether it's through a development committee of a private board or a foundation board associated with a public institution. In each case, advancement professionals would do well to remember that, while the board may seem removed from their day-to-day duties, it is, in fact, the ultimate boss. Not all board members assume that advancement will be a part of their jobs. Many boards outside of North America do not have a history of fundraising. But until 2008, board members were prohibited from having a hand in university financing. A French law that went into effect in 2008 finally allowed public schools to create fundraising foundations. But according to Marie-Stephane Maradeix, Ecole Polytechnique's campaign director, trustees have been slow to embrace the new advancement culture. In this article, the author stresses that working closely with the board is essential to advancement.