Blog

Written by family philanthropy practitioners and experts in the field, the NCFP blog offers perspectives on effective family philanthropy, sector news, and more.

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What is a disqualified person?

Blog Post

May 15, 2013

Benjamin T. White

Self-dealing is defined to include almost all business and financial transactions between a private foundation and its “disqualified persons…

Don't Reinvent the Wheel: The Power of Field Scans

Blog Post

April 15, 2013

Christine Sherry

In days of scarce resources and seemingly endless philanthropic choices, family foundations and funds can frequently feel overwhelmed by…

What questions should we ask our auditors?

Blog Post

February 15, 2013

For many funders, audits can be a daunting and arduous process. However, asking your auditor a thoughtful set of questions can help to…

Can I use my vacation home to make a substantial charitable gift?

Blog Post

July 15, 2012

Question: My 50-year reunion is coming up and I would like to make a meaningful contribution to my alma mater. I have also decided…

Avoiding Leaky Pipes: Enhancing Collaboration Between Donors and Grantees

Blog Post

July 15, 2012

Tom Tierney

If you had a leak in your water line, would you repair it? What about if you lived in a dry area where water was especially precious, would…

How do I set priorities as the new CEO of a family foundation?

Blog Post

June 15, 2012

Editor’s note: This article is excerpted from the NCFP CEO Guide, Performance Review: The Complete Guide to Evaluating the Family Foundation…

Getting Started with CEO Performance Review: Now’s the Time

Blog Post

June 15, 2012

Susan Crites Price

Editor’s Note: This article is excerpted from NCFP’s CEO Guide, Performance Review: The Complete Guide to Evaluating the Family Foundation…

Can Private Foundations Serve as Fiscal Sponsors?

Blog Post

October 15, 2011

Andras Kosaras

Private foundations frequently receive grant applications from groups that are under the fiscal sponsorship of a section 501(c)(3) public…

How should our family foundation think about the use of site visits?

Blog Post

September 13, 2011

Jason Born

Our board is trying to figure out how – and when – to use site visits in our grantmaking. How can we make sure these visits are useful both for our board and staff, and for the organizations we work with?

How do we ensure that the family will not lose “control” of the foundation over time?

Blog Post

May 15, 2011

Our foundation has begun discussions to add nonfamily trustees to enhance and complement the skills and perspectives currently on our all…

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