NCFP Blog

Voices from the Field

Open Letter to Family Philanthropists: Please, Invest in Our Democracy While We Still Can

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Adrienne Bousian

Black woman at voting polls with American flag in the background
“When you read about these near misses [of stable democracies staving off authoritarian threats], two factors prove decisive again and again: when a society’s elite stands up to an authoritarian faction, using their power to beat it back, and when the mass public organizes and demonstrates in favor of democracy.” – Zack Beauchamp, American democracy is tottering. It’s not clear… Read More
From NCFP

A Focus on Effectiveness: Meet NCFP’s New COO

Posted on June 13, 2022 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Diana Heath headshot
We are delighted to welcome Diana Tyler Heath to the National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) team as our chief operating officer. Diana joins a leadership team that includes President and CEO Nick Tedesco and Chief Impact Officer Miki Akimoto. Together, the team is partnering to implement an ambitious strategic plan. While implementing a plan that helps families be more… Read More
Voices from the Field

Join the Climate Philanthropy Movement: A Conversation with McKnight’s Noa Staryk

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Noa Staryk

We sat down with Noa Staryk, board chair at McKnight Foundation, to learn more about their nation-leading approach to climate philanthropy. From grantmaking to investment strategies, Noa provides sharp insights and inspiration for other funders looking to join the movement. Please visit our Climate Change Content Collection if you are interested in learning more. NCFP: Can you tell me a bit… Read More
Voices from the Field

Delaplaine Foundation to Establish Community Advisory Council

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Marlene Young

Delaplaine Foundation, a private family foundation with deep roots in the Frederick, Maryland community, has been dedicated to making a positive difference in Frederick County and beyond since its inception in 2001. The name Delaplaine has been synonymous with philanthropic giving reaching back more than a century, and the foundation has awarded over $20M in grant funding to more than… Read More
Network News

June 2022: News and Notes from NCFP’s Friends of the Family Network

Posted on June 2, 2022

Friends Focus highlights updates from members of our Friends of the Family network and their work. This month features updates from the Conrad N Hilton Foundation, McKnight Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation, Stupski Foundation, and Walton Foundation. Are you a current Friend or Leadership Circle member of NCFP with an update or good news about your foundation that you would like to share… Read More
From NCFP

Takeaways Blog on Designing Effective Board Meetings: Purpose, Outcomes, Process, and People

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Maya Diggs

This blog summarizes key notes from our May Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy webinar. Effective meetings are critical for engaging family foundation board members. These convenings can provide the opportunity for family members and decision makers to discuss a variety of topics like values, grantmaking strategies, and learning agendas. The most useful and enjoyable board meetings usually consider the purpose, outcomes,… Read More
Voices from the Field

Grantee Perception Report: What We Heard and How We Plan to Do Better

Posted on May 26, 2022 by Don Chen, Jonathan Goldberg

This article was originally published by the Surdna Foundation and is re-posted here with permission. Have you ever had food stuck in your teeth and only found out when you looked in the mirror hours later? If you’re like us, you probably thought, “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” The truth is that it’s tricky to give honest feedback to the people… Read More
Effective Family Philanthropy in Action

Family Philanthropy Speaks: A Conversation with Nicole Systrom

Posted on May 19, 2022 by Nicole Systrom

NCFP President and CEO Nick Tedesco speaks with Nicole Systrom, founder of Sutro Energy Group. Nicole talked about philanthropy’s role in climate change as well as how philanthropic capital is catalytic to incubate ideas and build infrastructure. She also shared about leveraging peer networks, intermediaries, and other resources.  Philanthropy is a practice borne out of compassion and commitment—and one… Read More
From NCFP

Demystifying the Hidden Figure of ‘Effectiveness’

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Nicholas A. Tedesco

In philanthropy, effectiveness is our north star—it is the bar we measure ourselves against and the standard we strive to uphold. But what exactly does it mean to “successfully achieve an intended result” or “fulfill a specified function,” particularly when our structures, practices, and beliefs are called into question? What does it mean to be effective not just as funders,… Read More
Featured Article

Join us in San Francisco

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Cathy Cha, Allison Magee, Kimberly Myers Hewlett

Cathy Cha, Kimberly Myers Hewlett, and Allison Magee are co-chairs of the 2022 Forum advisory committees. Two-plus years into a global pandemic, urgent discussions about climate change, and a long-overdue reckoning with racial inequities are transforming our social norms and society overall. We invite you to embrace family philanthropy’s role as a lever for change and join us in person… Read More

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