Strategic Lifespan Peer Network: Spending Up, Committing to Increased Assets for Increased Impact

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Colleen O’Keefe, Pat Sauer

How are you thinking about your foundation’s assets, the challenges and inequities in our world, and supporting timely problems? In 2021, the Sauer Foundation shared, “the assets of the foundation would increase from $28 million to $100 million, and that amount would be invested in the community over the next 10 years.” This foundation’s gift to spend up and make… Read More

Scaling Your Philanthropy

Posted on January 31, 2022

Chalkboard with graph that is increasing
Operational and Strategic Approaches for Growing in Scale and Impact The process of scaling can be a pivotal moment—it offers an opportunity to revisit the past and reinvent what is possible for the future. What are the special challenges facing family philanthropies that are preparing for—or in the midst of—a significant scale up in philanthropic assets? As your philanthropy reaches… Read More

Board Chair Peer Network: Supporting Your Executive Director and Staff Team

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Jean Whitney, Jim Parsons

Relationships between board and staff are vital to success, effectiveness, and a positive organizational culture for the team and the family. How do you support your executive director through reviews, regular connections, and planning support? How do you intentionally connect with the executive director and staff team? Can you create a two-way street to encourage communication, partnership, and best practice… Read More

Pluralism in Family Philanthropy: Navigating Tensions and Bridging Divides for Impact

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Uma Viswanathan, Tegan Acton, Heather Templeton Dill, Brian Hooks, Nicholas A. Tedesco

Group of people of on top of the mountain at sunset
In an increasingly divisive society, people are facing complex, challenging dialogues around politics, ethics, and social issues, struggling to manage perspectives across the political aisle and facilitate healthy discourse with multiple viewpoints. What is taking place on a macro scale is mirrored within individual families—difficult conversations, distinct political and cultural divides, and in many cases gridlock or an inability to… Read More

Application Deadline: Racial Justice Learning and Action Cohort

Posted on January 11, 2022

The Racial Justice Learning and Action Cohort is an educational opportunity for family foundation trustees interested in advancing racial justice practices, both personally and professionally. Philanthropy has been slow to embrace equity and it is clear that effective and meaningful impact can only be realized with an active commitment to racial justice. The National Center for Family Philanthropy is committed… Read More

Lessons from Family Philanthropy: The Rockefeller Brothers Fund

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Rockefeller Brothers Fund

Launching a family foundation is often the expression of donors’ desires to establish a lasting legacy and to instill in future generations the importance of giving. But family foundations face certain common pitfalls as well. They may initially unite family members through a shared sense of mission that could become less shared as the family grows and diffuses over time… Read More

Board Chair Peer Network: A Discussion About Racial Justice

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Maggie Lear, Sarah Robinson

Join Maggie Lear and Sarah Robinson to discuss racial justice journeys, practical next steps, and family discussions. Both speakers participated in the NCFP Racial Justice Learning & Action Network. They have had different journeys and will share their experiences as funders and personally. Brainstorm with the group about practical ways to activate in your foundations around racial justice. In this… Read More

2022 National Forum on Family Philanthropy

Posted on December 13, 2021

The National Forum on Family Philanthropy is the preeminent event for giving families. The Forum explores emerging themes, trends, and effective practices in the field of family philanthropy and provides a dynamic space for peer connection and learning. Visit NCFPForum.org to learn more and register!… Read More

Making Space for Youth Leadership

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Charlotte Cottier, Tracy Wasden, Marlene Corrado, Alexis Marion

There are many different strategies and formats to engage the next generation of youth in family philanthropy. Yet in all cases, younger members of the next generation need opportunities to take leadership roles that help them learn new skills, gain relevant experience in philanthropy, and hone their own practices and interests before taking on leadership as adults. Join us for… Read More

Five Levers of Legacy

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Vasser Seydel, Janice Simsohn Shaw, Sapphira Goradia

multigenerational family
Historically, legacy in family philanthropy has been considered from a retrospective point of view—as the culmination of the impact of a family and its philanthropic efforts. However, a new generation of leaders is redefining legacy to be formative, intentional, and continually refined. Join us for a conversation on the five levers of legacy and how to be more intentional about… Read More