December 2011 FGN: Discretionary Grants - Engaging Family... or Pandora's Box?

December 2011

In this issue of Family Giving News, we're pleased to share an excerpt from our newly released edition of Passages, "Discretionary Grants: Engaging Family… or Pandora’s Box?." This new paper explores ways that family foundations around the country are measuring the impact they are having with their grantmaking.

FEATURE: Discretionary Grants: Engaging Family... or Pandora's Box?
If you asked at a gathering of family foundation folks whether using discretionary grants is a good idea, you'd never reach consensus. Many family foundations don't use them. Those that do have widely varied policies governing how much money is available, who is eligible to make the grants, and whether the grants must be within the foundation's mission and guidelines… Continue reading →

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: Wrapping Up a Wonderful Year at the National Center

The month of gift giving is also a great month to take stock of the year. In my recent interview study of family foundation chief executives, I learned that most foundations and funds find it difficult to evaluate – whether that evaluation is of the CEO, the board, the grantmaking, or the foundation more generally

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HOLIDAY SPECIAL: The Hip Family's Guide to Happier Holidays

In this edition of FGN, we're delighted to help celebrate the holiday season with this excerpt of a fun new guide for family holiday giving from long-time friend and family philanthropy leader Lisa Parker…Continue reading →

ASK THE CENTER: What is Youth Philanthropy Connect and how can my family get involved?
Youth Philanthropy Connect is a leadership project of the Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation in partnership with a core team of four family foundations and the National Center for Family Philanthropy… Continue reading →

SPECIAL THANKS: To Our Friends and Supporters
We offer special thanks to our Friends of the Family and funders who support and sustain the work of the National Center. Our Friends offer continuing support for our work addressing emerging challenges in the field, researching new and evolving philanthropic issues, and … Continue reading →

New @ the National Center
Featured this month are upcoming events in our Family Philanthropy Teleconference series, an invitation to sponsor upcoming issues of our Passages issue paper series, updates on exciting staffing news at the National Center, and information on important new benefits and services for members … Continue reading →