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Impact Investing: Overcoming Resistance from Family and Board Members

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Julia Balandina Jaquier

Editor’s Note: Impact investing is of growing interest to the many thousands of philanthropic families around the world who manage their philanthropy through family foundations and family offices. In this month’s edition of Family Giving News, we present practical solutions and advice regarding one of the most commonly cited challenges for getting started in impact/mission investing: getting internal buy-in. The… Read More
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Working Together for Common Purpose: the First National Study of Family Philanthropy Through the Family Office

Posted on October 15, 2012 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

As the field of family philanthropy evolves, the options available to families for managing and making the most of their giving continue to keep pace. One option that a growing number of philanthropic families are considering is the creation of a single family office, a private entity that manages the investments and trusts for a single wealthy family—or multiple branches… Read More
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Fifteen Timeless Tips for Trustee Training and Succession

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Jason Born

Year after year, one topic in family philanthropy rises to the top: inspiring, engaging, and preparing the next generation for leadership. Sooner or later, unless the board decides to spend down the endowment, board succession in family foundations is a matter of when, not if. Since its founding in September 1997, the National Center for Family Philanthropy has published dozens… Read More
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The First Year: Tips and Tools for the New Family Foundation CEO

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Susan Crites Price

Editor’s Note: This article is excerpted from The First Year: The Complete Guide for New Family Foundation CEOs and their Boards of Directors. It is sometimes said that serving in the role of family foundation chief executive is an art, not a science. Family foundation CEOs have many roles to play and many constituencies to serve. But what distinguishes this… Read More
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Avoiding Leaky Pipes: Enhancing Collaboration Between Donors and Grantees

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Thomas Tierney

Editor’s Note: In this month’s FGN, Thomas J. Tierney and Richard M. Steele of The Bridgespan Group offer thoughts on how donors and grantees can overcome persistent traps to true collaboration, and get better results for society. The below article is adapted from their longer piece “The Donor-Grantee Trap: How ineffective collaboration undermines philanthropic results for society, and what can… Read More
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Getting Started with CEO Performance Review: Now’s the Time

Posted on June 15, 2012 by 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 CEO. In a 2010 interview study of 60 family foundation chief executives by National Center for Family Philanthropy President Virginia Esposito, most told her they do not receive a formal performance review by their board. But when NCFP interviewed board… Read More
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Advocacy and Family Giving: Leveraging Limited Dollars to Maximize Impact

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Lisa Ranghelli

The Brindle Foundation in New Mexico is concerned with the well-being of children and youth, and funds in the areas of education, early childhood development, youth development and human services.  Brindle has assets of $14.2 million and annual giving of $579,000 (as of 2010). As the Board and staff of the foundation explored how to make the most difference with… Read More
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Finding Common Ground & Valuing Different Views

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Jason Born

Dealing with different views is challenging in any family. Beliefs, opinions, and practices can diverge in so many ways. Making collective decisions across generations and branches within family foundations – while taking into account differing politics and religions, different attitudes toward money, and varying comfort levels with how public to be about wealth and foundation gifts – often requires patience,… Read More
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Help Wanted: What’s So Special About the Family Foundation CEO?

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Susan Crites Price

Editor’s note: The following is excerpted from Help Wanted: The Complete Guide to Hiring a Family Foundation CEO. At some point in the life of most good-sized family foundations, the board will need to hire a chief executive officer. (For simplicity, CEO is used here to refer to the top paid staff person who may be called executive director, president, or… Read More
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Additional Reading: Enhancing Your Family’s Philanthropic Decisions

Posted on January 15, 2012 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

There are a variety of resources, both new and old, on the topic of enhancing diversity in the view and perspectives on family foundation boards. Here are a few of our favorites: A Place at the Table: Non-Family Membership on the Family Foundation Board by Joseph Foote and Dorna L. Allen, published by the National Center for Family Philanthropy, December 2011… Read More