
Philanthropy is often described as society’s “risk capital.” This NCFP Content Collection provides context for how generous families can assess philanthropic risk, tame and mitigate risk, and even expand their comfort zone to embrace uncertainty and learn from their mistakes. Know of other good resources on this topic? Please suggest a resource.
NCFP Passages Issue Brief and blog posts


3 Ways Foundations Squash Risk-Taking
Article
Expanding Your Comfort Zone: Managing Risk
Article
To Make a Difference, Family Philanthropy Must Take More Risks
ArticleLearning from mistakes

The Best Mistake We Ever Made: Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
Article
Admitting Failure: Learning from mistakes
Article
Failure Reports: A how to guide
ToolSamples, checklists, and templates

Risk in family philanthropy: An annotated diagram and framework for boards
Tool
Is your organization prepared for the unexpected?
Tool
A guide to risk taking at NYSHealth
SampleCase Foundation: Be Fearless framework and foundation profiles

Be Fearless: The 5 Core Principles
Tool
Be Fearless: A framework for action
Tool
Surdna Foundation: Be Fearless Spotlight Story
Impact Story
Open Road Alliance: Be Fearless spotlight story
Impact Story
Jacobs Family Foundation: Be Fearless Case Study
Impact StoryAdditional resources from NCFP colleagues

Philanthropy Lessons: Risk and Mistakes
Video
Understanding Rsk Tolerance in Grantmaking
Article
How shortcuts cut us short: Cognitive traps in philanthropic decision making
Report
Risk in Philanthropy: A Framework for Evaluation
Tool