From NCFP

Summer, Sharing, and Vacations: Activities for Children

Posted on July 15, 2007 by Virginia M. Esposito

It’s summer and a young person’s fancy turns to …philanthropy? Well, perhaps more than you might think. I ran into a friend recently and she told me her college freshman daughter was off to Nicaragua. Sarah belongs to a group that organizes charitable field trips for young people – giving them the chance to help those considerably less fortunate while… Read More
From NCFP

Motivations for Board Service: Why Many Family Members Want In and Some Don’t Want to Leave

Posted on May 15, 2007 by Virginia M. Esposito

Many of the requests for help that come to me directly or as referrals from colleagues or National Center staff are about governance. When it comes to the fundamentally important issue of effective trusteeship – and appropriate foundation governance – the range of questions is startling and no question is insignificant. How do other foundations structure their boards? Should we… Read More
From NCFP

Project Vs. General Operating Support: Need it Be Either/Or?

Posted on April 15, 2007 by Virginia M. Esposito

With reports from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy and the Center for Effective Philanthropy, among others, focusing on program vs. operating costs, I am often asked how donors and family funders are dealing with this debate. I remember the passionate debate that followed a major paper on this issue by Michael Seltzer and Michael Cunningham – and I am sure those… Read More
From NCFP

A Thanksgiving Message: Gratitude and Optimism

Posted on November 15, 2006 by Virginia M. Esposito

The fall season of educational workshops and speeches is coming to an end and, once again, I have learned more from conference participants than I possibly could have shared. The enthusiastic commitment of those who give up weekends and vacation time to focus on the responsibilities of philanthropy is endlessly instructive and inspiring. Often, these workshops are for audiences that… Read More