Advisors and Consultants

Family Boards: Why Can’t We Just All Get Along?

Posted on May 14, 2009 by Judith K. Healey

Every family has occasional disagreements when they engage in grantmaking together. How do you handle such common dilemmas as: family members who disagree on grantmaking, discretionary dollars or payouts; members who act out at board meetings or don’t do their share; a leader that’s not willing to step down; individuals who carry their family baggage or branch differences into the board room?… Read More

Logic Models: How They Can Increase Your Impact

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Janet Harman, Kristin Brewer

Logic modeling has been embraced by some large foundations, but has not been as popular with smaller ones because the process may seem overly complicated. The KDK-Harman Foundation, a $20 million family foundation in Austin, Texas, believes use of logic models—a systematic, visual way to present a plan with its underlying assumptions and theoretical framework—is even more crucial for small foundations seeking to make sustained impact… Read More

Perpetuity is a Long Time

Posted on December 13, 2008 by Daniel Bader, Richard Moore

Most foundations are created in perpetuity, but a growing number are planning to sunset, most for family or program reasons. Some foundations feel strongly that they best serve society by continuing their work over the long haul. Some simply avoid discussing the issue… Read More

The Tow Foundation: Revamping the Juvenile Justice System Through Advocacy

Posted on September 15, 2008 by Kevin Laskowski

Today, the foundation’s staff members commit more than 50 percent of their time to advocacy and collaboration with public and private partners to improve the lives of children involved in or at risk of involvement in the Connecticut juvenile justice system. With support from the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance, which the foundation co-founded in 2001, their strategic approach led to… Read More

All hands on deck: Next gen board promotes new leadership

Posted on July 15, 2008 by Kevin Laskowski

A few summers ago, the board of the Lawrence Welk Family Foundation issued a challenge to young family members. Gathered at a family-owned resort in San Diego for the family’s annual meeting, the fourth generation of Welk family members was told about a local shelter for homeless families. The shelter hosted a preschool and therapeutic learning center that needed a… Read More

Passing the Baton: Generations Sharing Leadership

Posted on July 10, 2008 by Alice Buhl

Today's family foundation field has many well-prepared next generation members and a whole generation of longer living, active senior members. And while the field has been resourceful in promoting next-generation involvement, it has done little to address succession issues for the senior generation or to consider options for shared, multi-generational leadership… Read More

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