Is Your Foundation Leveraging the Power of Differences?

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Council of Michigan Foundations

Based on extensive research and experience emerging from its Transforming Michigan Philanthropy initiative, the Council of Michigan Foundations has developed this discussion guide and assessment tool to help foundation leaders begin essential conversations about the power of differences and determine the level of their organization’s readiness for growth… Read More

Mission Investing: Overcoming Resistance and Getting Started

Posted on October 9, 2014 by John Hawkins, Melanie Audette, Tomer Inbar, Tony Wells

How can you engage your board in a thoughtful conversation about the options and added benefits of the mission investing approach? What are some of the best ways to get started with mission investing, and how do family foundations, especially those with limited staff capacity, manage these new strategies to better leverage their philanthropic assets and mission?… Read More

Sample CEO Performance Reviews

Posted on October 8, 2014 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

A collection of sample CEO performance reviews collected in the NCFP Guide, Performance Review: The Complete Guide to Evaluating the Family Foundation CEO. CEO reviews are provided from the following family foundations: The Clowes Fund Max M. & Margorie S. Fisher Foundation Knott Foundation Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation Roy A. Hunt Foundation  … Read More

Investment Policy Statement (Hattie M. Strong Foundation)

Posted on July 29, 2014

The purpose of this Investment Policy Statement is to: Document and formalize Hattie M. Strong Foundation investment philosophy, portfolio goals, expectations, objectives and guidelines; Set forth specific process and asset allocation targets for managing the portfolio to achieve the Foundation’s goals; Establish rebalancing guidelines to manage portfolio risk; Facilitate effective communication between investment professionals and the Foundation’s governing board; Comply… Read More

Peer Skill Share program (Pierce Family Foundation)

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Pierce Family Foundation

The Peer Skill Share program is designed to invest in the professional skills of nonprofit employees, building their individual capacity and by extension, the capacity of their organizations. The Pierce Family Foundation arranges for nonprofit employees to help each other via “skill share” sessions, where grantees can get one-on-one advice from peers on specific needs they identify. Since there is… Read More

Navigating Leadership Transitions in Family Philanthropy

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Virginia M. Esposito, Betsy Brill, Dean Phillips, Dinaz Mansuri, Patrick Troska

Every family philanthropy experiences the joy, the sadness, the complexity, and the energy of transitions. Moving toward new leadership in the family can be difficult, emotional, and sometimes frustrating. However, when it is done deliberately and thoughtfully, these times of transition can also be positive for all involved. … Read More