Governance

Building a Framework for Your Decision Making

Every giving effort needs a guiding framework to be effective. Governance—defined principles, policies, and practices— is the framework.

Power Dynamics in Family Philanthropy

This Content Collection shares perspectives from nonprofit leaders and foundation colleagues on the challenges of power dynamics in family philanthropy, and possible solutions for how to address these issues.

Ethics and Accountability in Family Philanthropy

A family’s philanthropic values – it’s sense of stewardship, personal commitments and interests of individual family members, and the shared desire to foster charitable impulses in children and future generations – are the foundation of family philanthropy. Articulating and discussing values on a regular basis is part of ethically responsible giving. And ensuring that your grants and gifts are effective

Transitions in Family Philanthropy

Many families put off preparing for a transition until it is upon them. Fear of the day a key family member and leader will no longer be able to participate is a common explanation for why families don’t address critical preparation for a leadership transition. This Content Collection encourages you to view upcoming transitions as an opportunity – to learn

man and woman on couch facing away from each other

Family Dynamics

In this Content Collection, you’ll learn about the most common conflicts in family philanthropy, the creative “tactics” some boards use to perpetuate the avoidance, and how you can use simple tools to address conflict in a healthy, productive way.

Board Compensation

Guidance on the legal regulations regarding compensation, suggestions for how to initiate a conversation among your board members about whether or not compensation is appropriate, and suggestions for how to develop a written policy based on this conversation.

map with multiple blue pins marking locations

Geographic Dispersion: Giving Together Across Distances

In our increasingly mobile society, family philanthropies once defined by their proximity now encounter a new obstacle: geography. How does geography affect a philanthropy’s mission? How do you keep the family and the philanthropy together? This Content Collection share webinars, stories, and tips for geographically dispersed family foundation boards and families. For an in-depth discussion of place-based family philanthropy, see