Things We Wish Our Founders Had Told Us: Interpreting Donor Legacy

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Susan Packard Orr

This special NCFP Distinguished Fellow Essay by Susan Packard Orr explores the questions that Susan and her fellow trustees wished they had asked of the founders when they were still alive. From the introduction: This year marks the 20th anniversary of our father’s death. Our mother has been gone almost 30 years. During this time, we have worked to build… Read More

Expand Your Comfort Zone: Taking Risks in Family Philanthropy

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Diane Miller, Rehana Nathoo, The Case Foundation, Tony Macklin

Philanthropy is often described as society’s “risk capital.” Private generosity can support causes and ideas that business and government agencies cannot or will not. However, the idea of risk in philanthropy quickly muddies as we direct our generosity through a family foundation, donor-advised fund, or other collective effort. Our ideas about – and tolerance for – risk diverge, shaped by… Read More

Trends in family philanthropy: A conversation with NCFP founder and president Virginia Esposito

Posted on October 18, 2016 by Virginia M. Esposito, National Center for Family Philanthropy

NCFP’s recently released Trends in Family Philanthropy study was based on the first-ever nationally representative sample of family foundations, and features a treasure trove of data on topics such as family foundation governance, board activities, and grant making strategy. This complimentary event, featuring an overview of the study by NCFP President Ginny Esposito, will highlight issues and topics of interest to all family… Read More

September 2016 NCFP Non-Family Staff Peer Network Call

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Christine Koehn, Sharmila Rao Thakkar

The NCFP Non-family Staff Peer Network is open to senior level non-family staff members who are current member’s of NCFP Friends of the Family network. This network, co-chaired by Christine Kuehn of The Celia Lipton Farris and Victor W. Farris Foundation and Sharmilla Rao Thakkar of the Siragusa Foundation, is offered as a “safe space” for non-family staff peers facing… Read More

Family Philanthropy and Media Perceptions

Posted on August 11, 2016 by David Callahan, Peter Panepento, Stacy Palmer

Family foundations are passionate and dedicated to improving their communities and leading conversations that will help advance their missions. But as they look to expand their work, many families have a hard time explaining their work to and building relationships with the media. Many foundations simply don't know where to begin… Read More

Igniting the Spark: Tracy Family Foundation

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Youth Philanthropy Connect

The Tracy Family Foundation is located in Mt. Sterling, Illinois, with family geographically dispersed around the country.  The foundation’s mission is to provide resources to organizations that foster the values of Robert and Dorothy Tracy—a Catholic/Christian belief, honesty, integrity, fairness, and a strong work ethic. The foundation seeks to proactively strengthen Brown County in Illinois and the surrounding Region by… Read More