Voices from the Field

In this piece, Lenore Hanisch explores how the assumptions we make about wealth, race, gender, and family can inhibit our ability to do the work we set out to do, including connecting with others who share our vision of resourcing positive change… Read More

2017 was a challenging and frustrating year for many of us who work in family philanthropy. The nation’s political climate—characterized by intense partisan polarization and accompanied by a parade of troublesome public policy changes—has undone years of hard work and placed new burdens on the nonprofits we support and the communities we serve… Read More

Strategic philanthropy is about maximizing the impact of every rupee given away… Read More

How do family foundations keep the focus on family in their philanthropy? In a January webinar, three family foundation colleagues from multiple generations joined NCFP’s president Ginny Esposito to talk about families large and small, and the shared values that hold them together over time… Read More

In the lives of young people, peers play a unique role in the development of habits, skills, and beliefs. But how do you connect with, and leverage, the right peer group?… Read More

The Surdna Foundation recently published, “Social Justice at the Surdna Foundation,” which outlines their commitment to social justice. This has required difficult and ongoing conversations, a broad understanding of long-term systemic change, and acknowledgement that the work will never be "done."… Read More

Placemaking places people at the heart of its process—empowering individuals by giving them an active voice in shaping the spaces around them, mapping and designing their own communities. The Levitt Foundation highlights a few fascinating placemaking projects from around the globe that illustrate the beauty of people coming together and creating a shared vision for their community… Read More

Ask any philanthropic family about their biggest challenge or concern, and one of the answers you’re most likely to hear is “how can I better engage the next generation?” In fact, NCFP’s 2015 Trends Study pointed to the changing leadership of family foundations – specifically to the engagement of younger generations on foundation boards – as a major factor that will shape the future of family philanthropy… Read More

Given the benefits of PRI's as a unique tool for advancing impact and that larger foundations have demonstrated their use, why do so few family foundations use them? … Read More