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Good Grants Gone Bad

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Shirley McLaughlin

Editor’s note: We encourage funders to adopt Trust-based philanthropy practices wherever possible, but still there are times when it’s necessary to reflect on your expectations and agreements with grantees. Most private family foundations are primarily grantmakers, furthering their charitable purposes by making grants to other 501(c)(3) nonprofits. This post discusses a few situations private foundation and other funders may encounter… Read More
Voices from the Field

Service, Impact, and Changemaking

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Maya Diggs

As a newcomer to the field of family philanthropy, I’ve spent a significant amount of time thinking about why I’m interested in this path. Broadly speaking, I’ve always known that service, impact, and changemaking would be part of my life. For me, helping people is not just a career aspiration. It’s a responsibility. It’s a calling that is rooted in… Read More
Featured Article

Lessons for Family Foundation Board Chairs from the 2020 Trustee Education Institute

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Tony Macklin

  During NCFP’s recent Trustee Education Institute (TEI), I heard a recurring theme especially applicable to current and future board chairs of family foundations: effective governance of a family foundation takes more work than you’re typically prepared for.  All board members have a responsibility for effective governance. But the board chair is tasked with helping clarify the board’s roles and… Read More
Voices from the Field

Money and Death: Having the ‘What Happens When’ Conversation

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

The death of a foundation leader or senior family member is likely the most emotional change a foundation will undergo. Suddenly, or not so suddenly, family members and the board face grief and loss, perhaps alongside an onslaught of financial, legal, and organizational issues. How can you plan ahead, as a foundation and as a family? And how can you… Read More
Featured Article

Lessons for New Family Foundation Board Members from the 2020 Trustee Education Institute

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Tony Macklin

“I feel like a bit of a fish out of water when talking with people who know nothing about foundations.” “I married into a family with a foundation and I’m looking for help.” “We didn’t grow up with this wealth. It is difficult to discuss.” Three attendees shared these thoughts during NCFP’s recent Trustee Education Institute. Their sentiments are common… Read More
Network News

October 2020: News and Notes from NCFP’s Friends of the Family Network

Posted on October 6, 2020

Friends Focus highlights updates from members of our Friends of the Family network and their work. This month features updates from the Laughing Gull Foundation, Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation, Ruth Mott Foundation, Hill-Snowdon Foundation, Hoffberger Family Philanthropies, Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation, Pierce Family Foundation, McKnight Foundation, and Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.  Are you a current Friend or Leadership… Read More
Voices from the Field

How Participatory Grantmaking Can Strengthen Your Philanthropy

Posted on October 2, 2020 by Exponent Philanthropy, Allison R. Davis

This article was originally published by Exponent Philanthropy and is re-posted here with permission. Money affects power dynamics in relationships and as donors, we have the responsibility to send money carefully. When considering alternatives to a traditional funding approach, participatory grantmaking leverages knowledgeable input and democratic checks and balances. Being participatory is more than soliciting outside advice; it means inviting… Read More
Voices from the Field

Not Throwing Away This Shot

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Jaimie Mayer

For the past year, the family foundation I chair has spent a lot of time working to clarify our guiding values. As we were working on this effort, I took it upon myself to interrogate my own values and illuminate my own blind spots. Nothing is more important to me than helping grantees seize this moment to advance racial equity,… Read More
Voices from the Field

Protecting Democracy through Collaborative Philanthropy

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Stacey Faella

I voted sticker - Democracy
In early April, when the turmoil of COVID-19 had gripped New York City, where the Woodcock Foundation is based, the foundation called an emergency virtual board meeting. The purpose was to discuss the implications of the pandemic on our programs, the steps we were taking to check in on and help ensure the stability of our grantees, and brainstorm ideas… Read More

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