
Modesty may make some families reticent, but others point to the potential for good in the family name and reputation. Many families have learned to take explicit advantage of what can be a useful grantmaking tool. The family name can garner respect, or at least attention. It can act as an imprimatur of sorts, particularly when the family encourages grantees to let others know they fund them. This NCFP Content Collection provides context for new donors considering how public to be with their grantmaking, management and operations, and provides ideas for existing foundations and boards contemplating this question.
Tip: Check out the Policy Central: Grantmaking and Strategy collection for sample Publicity and Recognition policies.
Transparency in Family Philanthropy: Opening to the Possibilities


Transparency Case Study: The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota
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Transparency Case Study: Bush Foundation
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Transparency Case Study: The Russell Family Foundation
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Transparency Case Study: Barr Foundation
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Transparency Case Study: Tracy Family Foundation
ArticleEmbracing Transparency at the The Russell Family Foundation

The Lasting Value of Transparency
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Transparency, Privacy, and Trust: Finding Balance for Family Foundations
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Practicing Transparency for Discovery and Learning
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Nurturing Relationships with Transparency
ArticleGiving Publicly vs. Giving Anonymously

Should I Give Anonymously or Publicly?
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What is my giving style? Two considerations: Visibility & Impact
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Privacy and Publicity: First Steps in Creating a Communications Strategy
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Public or Private: the Empowered Choice
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Pros and cons of giving publicly vs. giving anonymously
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No Cloak Of Secrecy: Anonymous Giving
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Privacy vs. Secrecy
ArticleAdditional Views on Transparency and Anonymity

Foundation Transparency: Opacity — It’s Complicated
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Sharing What Matters: Foundation Transparency – Center for Effective Philanthropy
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Admitting Failure: Learning from Mistakes in Philanthropy
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10 General Guidelines for Greater Foundation Transparency
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Transparency in Family Foundations: the Strength of Glass Pockets
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Communicating for impact: Strategies for grantmakers
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Privacy and Publicity: First Steps in Creating a Communications Strategy
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Transparency, Privacy, and Trust: Finding Balance for Family Foundations
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How to Walk the Talk When You’re Walking with Others
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Grantmaking That is “With” and Not “For”
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Soliciting Grantee Feedback: a Benefit to Both Sides
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To Whom You Are Accountable
PresentationTransparency and Telling Your Story: NCFP Webinars

Privacy, Purpose and the Public Trust: Finding a Balance
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May 11, 2017
Balancing Family Privacy and Public Trust: Transparency in Family Philanthropy
While transparency is an important value in principle, what do you do when your foundation’s privacy is also your family’s privacy? How do we balance the need for public accountability with a family’s right to privacy? What do the tough but important questions regarding transparency and …
August 11, 2016Family Philanthropy and Media Perceptions
Family foundations are passionate and dedicated to improving their communities and leading conversations that will help advance their missions. But as they look to expand their work, many families have a hard time explaining their work to and building relationships with the media. Many foundations simply don't know where to …October 8, 2015Community Connections: Engaging Diverse Stakeholders in Your Grantmaking
What are the spectrum of options available to family foundations and funds seeking to engage diverse perspectives in their work? What are the benefits of doing so and how can you develop a strategy and plan that makes the most sense for your governance and grantmaking approach? And how can …February 12, 2015Transformation, Transparency, and Ongoing Learning: Focusing Your Foundation’s Approach and Strategy
Hear the story of how one mid-sized family foundation created a new theory of change for its own grantmaking and shifted from a more traditional giving approach to a highly targeted social investing strategy. This webinar will take an in-depth look at the experiences and lessons learned of the Tauck …February 13, 2014Telling your story to maximize community impact
You work hard to ensure you are maximizing community impact but do you have all the tools in your toolbox to lift up your grantees? Learn how new media tools can help you tell your grantee’s stories, deepen community connections and advocate for your cause. Have you thought about …October 2, 2008Engaging Stakeholders for Better Grantmaking
We hear more and more these days about working with grantees as partners. But how is that really done? And does it truly make the work of your foundation more effective? Courtney Bourns, Director of Programs for Grantmakers for Effective Organizations offers strategies for authentically engaging grantees and other community …