Giving Families & Foundations

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Giving Families & Foundations

Donors and giving families are at the heart of our work. NCFP was founded in 1997 in response to the need for a national source of knowledge and expertise that advances the effectiveness of family philanthropy. Today, NCFP continues to ground its work in the perspective of donor families.

Our experience with and understanding of the very personal act of giving is reflected in the resources and services we provide. We offer a safe, confidential, and objective place for you to begin your philanthropic journey. We’re here to help you think through your options, ask the right questions, and connect with others who have been through the same process.

We think of family philanthropy as the organized commitment of a family’s private wealth—time, talent, or treasure—to public purposes. Many of the families we work with choose to honor that commitment through the family foundation vehicle. Whether you’re a donor, board member, next gen family member, CEO, or other staff member, we have the world’s largest collection of resources on family giving to help you manage the challenges of running a foundation.

Get Involved

Carmen and Carmela Castellano NCFP’s Leadership Circle and Friends of the Family network is composed of more than 300 family foundations and donor families who support NCFP on an annual basis and sustain our work. The Leadership Circle recognizes a special group of our most generous supporters. This network is the nation’s premier leadership and learning network for philanthropic families.

Friends and Leadership Circle supporters receive registration discounts for exclusive peer gatherings, including the National Forum on Family Philanthropy, the Trustee Education Institute, and special CEO Retreats for both family and non-family CEOs. In addition, Friends receive preferred access to NCFP services, including special issue briefs, personalized assistance for information requests, practical research, timely webinars, and our searchable Family Philanthropy Online Knowledge Center. Organizations in the Leadership Circle also receive personal access to the Office of NCFP President Virginia Esposito, allowing them to email or call for personalized answers to difficult questions.

Join the Family

Trends in Family Philanthropy: Current Research in the Field

This Content Collection features NCFP's Trends 2020 Study and other current research on the field of family philanthropy.

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COVID-19: Response and Recovery Resources for Giving Families

This collection features resources from the field, an interactive map of local funds, upcoming COVID-19 webinars, and more.

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Policy Central: Sample Policies and Practices

NCFP's Policy Central includes sample policies and practices in the areas of governance, grantmaking, family dynamics, engaging the next generation, investments, management, and staffing. New samples are added frequently, and are here when you need them!

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Foundation Archives

This Content Collection features reports and articles of interest to foundations considering whether to establish archives to preserve their records, knowledge, and histories.

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Strategic Philanthropy

This Content Collection features NCFP research, webinars, and additional resources to use as your foundation or family considers its overall strategy and approach to philanthropy.

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Capital Grants

This Content Collection includes several articles and briefing papers from family foundations that have used capital grants as a core part of their strategy, along with sample guidelines for capital grants.

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How to Serve the Redefined Family

This content collection was curated to provide resources and tips for how your philanthropic family can adapt to a redefined family.

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Money and Values

This content collection was curated to share some experience, tips, and tools to better support philanthropic families in their money journeys.

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Funding Resiliency

This Content Collection shares a collection of resources developed by the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation on the topic of resiliency. It is designed to help deepen thinking about where, when, and how to invest in capacity building, while also helping funders to explore the dimensions of resiliency and help their grantee organizations prepare for eventual independence from grant funding.

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Search Knowledge Center for Resources!

We’re here to help you on your philanthropic journey. Contact NCFP for support!