From NCFP

Editors note: These reflections are rooted in a discussion called, Reparations: The Opportunity for Family Philanthropy to Advance Healing and Repair at the 2022 National Forum on Family Philanthropy. Money saves lives. This is a stark reality that underpins the inequities of our society and history. In the 1930s, Alan Preston’s parents, German Jews, were able to escape Nazi Germany… Read More

Every two years the family philanthropy community gathers for reflection and inspiration at the National Forum for Family Philanthropy. San Francisco hosted our latest summit a few short weeks ago—marking the 25th anniversary of the organization and the first in-person event since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event brought into focus the moment of shift we are experiencing… Read More

This blog summarizes key notes from our June Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy webinar. Many family-led philanthropies are successfully using a participatory grantmaking approach by engaging community members in their decision-making. And, for many philanthropic families, participatory grantmaking is an emerging practice. In the National Center for Family Philanthropy’s recent webinar, Nwamaka Agbo, Monica George, Cynthia Gibson, Ambar Cristina Hanson, and Leslie Ramyk… Read More

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

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

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

This blog summarizes key notes from our April Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy webinar. Governance practices of philanthropic families are evolving to include more diverse voices and perspectives. Two common pathways that giving families are using to become more informed about the communities they partner with are creating an expert or community advisory committee to guide social impact strategies and decisions, and… Read More

In an increasingly divisive society, people are facing complex, challenging dialogues around politics, ethics, and social issues, struggling to manage perspectives across the political aisle and facilitate healthy discourse with multiple viewpoints. What is taking place on a macro scale is mirrored within individual families—difficult conversations, distinct political and cultural divides, and in many cases gridlock or an inability to… Read More

This blog summarizes key notes from our March Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy webinar. Management, operations, and administration are often barriers to scaling impact, and many donors opt to utilize vehicles that reduce these burdens and offer more legal, financial, and operational support. Fiscal sponsorships and other outsourced service providers are common choices for families, and provide their own specific set… Read More

At moments like this, with crises and disasters unfolding across the globe, we know philanthropic families are looking for ways to respond.  When faced with a complex humanitarian disaster such as the war in Ukraine, it can be challenging to know where to start. In keeping with NCFP’s commitment to work in partnership, we are sharing resource lists compiled by… Read More