Voices from the Field

Voices from the Field

The National Forum: a Wicked Awesome Reunion

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Mary Phillips

Cambridge, Massachusetts, synonymous with outstanding education, innovation, and youthful energy, was the perfect setting for the National Center for Family Philanthropy’s first Forum on Family Philanthropy earlier this month (#ncfp14). Family and friends gathered there from around the country to enjoy the warmth of good people, lively conversation, and the inspiration that comes from sharing ideas. It was wicked awesome,… Read More
Voices from the Field

Thoughts from #Ncfp14 Advisory Committee Members & Speakers

Posted on April 29, 2014 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

The Inaugural National Forum on Family Philanthropy will bring together more than 250 representatives from family foundations, donor advised funds, family offices and other charitable programs along with prominent business, academic and philanthropic leaders for fresh perspectives, new research and candid discussions about trends in family philanthropy. We are grateful to all of those who have helped shape the National… Read More
Voices from the Field

Diversity as a Family Affair

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Cole Wilbur

What value can diversity bring to the work of family foundations? First of all, diversity is now more interwoven into the fabric of our society, including our neighborhoods, education, business and media. Integrating diversity into many aspects of a family foundation’s work can result in more compelling grantmaking, particularly in responding effectively to demographic changes that nonprofit organizations face every… Read More
Voices from the Field

Breaking Up and Moving On: a Staff Member’s Perspective on the Dissolution of a Family Foundation

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Joel Luedtke

We knew the outcome before the votes were cast. The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation – the proud embodiment of a fortunate family’s abiding compassion – would be split apart. It was October 2010. As a relatively new staff member of the foundation, it was hard for me at that time to see much good coming of this decision… Read More
Voices from the Field

An Invitation to a New Peer Network for Non-Family Staff

Posted on January 21, 2014 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

This month’s “Voices in the Field” comes from the two co-chairs of the new NCFP Non-Family Staff Peer Learning Network: Andrea Sholler, Associate Director of the Tow Foundation in Connecticut, and Sharmila Rao Thakkar, Executive Vice President of the Siragusa Foundation in Chicago. They share why they think a peer network is important and what they are hoping to gain… Read More
Voices from the Field

Giving while living: Melinda Gates

Posted on December 15, 2013 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Editor’s Note: The National Center has been delighted to partner in 2013 with the Bridgespan Group to share videos from its Conversations with Remarkable Givers series. In this month’s installment, our final in this series, we feature Bridgespan’s interview with Melinda Gates, board member and guiding force behind the world’s largest family foundation, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As co-chair… Read More
Voices from the Field

A Letter to Funders Considering Support of Typhoon Haiyan: a Sprint, a Marathon, and a Decathlon

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Regine A. Webster

Editor’s Note: This piece originally appeared on the Center for Disaster Philanthropy website on November 13th. We are pleased to re-publish it with permission here; as referenced in the article, the advice and perspectives shared here are as meaningful today as they were a month ago. Dear Fellow Funders: I hope that many of you are considering allocating funds for… Read More
Voices from the Field

Giving while living: Carolyn and Peter Lynch

Posted on November 15, 2013 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Editor’s Note: The National Center is delighted to partner in 2013 with the Bridgespan Group to share videos from its Conversations with Remarkable Givers series. In this month’s installment, we feature Bridgespan’s interview with Carolyn and Peter Lynch, co-founders of The Lynch Foundation. Under Peter Lynch, Fidelity Investments’ then-obscure Magellan Fund rose from $18 million in assets in 1977 to… Read More
Voices from the Field

Family Philanthropy and Impact Investing

Posted on November 15, 2013 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

The field of mission-related investing or broadly termed ‘impact investing’ continues to build momentum as investment opportunities span multiple asset classes, infrastructure improvements promote transparency, and social entrepreneurs are building sustainable, scalable companies. To date, industry growth has been driven largely by institutional investors such as public sector pension funds, banks, and private foundations.  We are now seeing a growing… Read More
Voices from the Field

Implicit Bias Affects All of Us in Philanthropy

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Chaletta Huertas

Historically, only a small percentage of philanthropic dollars goes to communities of color, goes to organizations led by people of color, or comes from people of color.  For many people, the word ‘philanthropist’ itself conjures up images of elderly white gentlemen in business suits. Has this changed much in today’s society which some would call ‘post-racial’? No.  The Greenlining Institute… Read More

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