Deanne Stone

Deanne Stone previously served as associate of Lansberg Gersick in New Haven, Connecticut, and as a Contributing Editor of the National Center for Family Philanthropy. Stone was a co-author of NCFP’s seminal study, Generations of Giving: Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations. Since 1988, she has specialized in writing about family foundations and family businesses. Ms. Stone holds a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology from Northwestern University, and an M.A. in Education from the University of Chicago.

Contributions

Honoring the Donor: The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Deanne Stone

Note: This case study was written and released in 2001 as part of NCFP’s Living the Legacy guide; current circumstances at the foundation may be different than described here. Conrad Hilton was an unusual family foundation founder. He set up a foundation in middle age and, although he lived for almost another half century, he never served on the board… Read More

A Family Legacy of Individual Initiative: The McKnight Foundation

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Deanne Stone

Note: This case study was written and released in 2001 as part of NCFP’s Living the Legacy guide; current circumstances at the foundation may be different than described here. McKnight was chairman of the 3M Company (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing). He was credited for developing the corporate culture that propelled the phenomenal growth and transformation of the company from a… Read More

Next generation leadership: Exploring transition at the Andrus Family Fund

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Deanne Stone

How to involve a family that size was daunting enough, but the trustees faced another hurdle. Historically, the seats on the family boards had been filled by a handful of family members from a few family branches. The fourth-generation wanted to have a more democratic selection process, but could they suddenly and convincingly open the doors to the family’s philanthropies after decades of exclusion?… Read More

What Donors Want

Posted on February 8, 2007 by Deanne Stone, Jan McElwee, Shirley Fredricks

With the creation of new family foundations, donor-advised funds, and supporting organizations still flourishing, many advisors to today’s donors (and often donors themselves) wonder, ‘What kind of information/ assistance/ inspiration/ support do new founding donors want these days?’ Advisors benefit from knowing what the concerns of new donors are, and new donors benefit from understanding what other donors are seeking… Read More

Generations of Giving: Chapter 8 – Developing the Organizational Structure

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Deanne Stone, Howard Muson, Katherine Grady, Kelin E. Gersick, Ph.D., Michele Desjardins

Chapter 8 of Generations of Giving: Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations, a landmark 2006 study by a team of researchers led by Kelin Gersick and co-published by the National Center for Family Philanthropy. This chapter features the authors conclusions regarding the importance of organizational structure for achieving the mission of a foundation. Review the complete collection of chapters from… Read More

Generations of Giving: Chapter 5 – The Family-Governed, Staff-Managed Foundation

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Deanne Stone, Howard Muson, Katherine Grady, Kelin E. Gersick, Ph.D., Michele Desjardins

Chapter 5 – The Family-Governed, Staff-Managed Foundation Chapter 5 of Generations of Giving: Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations, the landmark 2006 study by a team of researchers led by Kelin Gersick and co-published by the National Center for Family Philanthropy. This Chapter introduces the concept of “The Family-Governed, Staff-Managed Foundation” and looks at the characteristics and challenges of achieving… Read More

Generations of Giving: Chapter 4 – The Collaborative Family Foundation

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Deanne Stone, Howard Muson, Katherine Grady, Kelin E. Gersick, Ph.D., Michele Desjardins

Chapter 4 of Generations of Giving: Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations, the landmark 2006 study by a team of researchers led by Kelin Gersick and co-published by the National Center for Family Philanthropy.  This Chapter introduces the concept of “The Collaborative Family Foundation” and looks at the characteristics and challenges of achieving this model. The Chapter describes several “windows… Read More

Generations of Giving: Chapter 9 – Preparing for Future Generations

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Deanne Stone, Howard Muson, Katherine Grady, Kelin E. Gersick, Ph.D., Michele Desjardins

Chapter 9 of Generations of Giving: Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations, the landmark 2006 study by a team of researchers led by Kelin Gersick and co-published by the National Center for Family Philanthropy.  This chapter features sections on “Five Reasons that Families Avoid Succession Planning” as well as on “Overcoming Resistance” to succession planning. A must read for any… Read More

Generations of Giving: Chapter 1 – Understanding Family Foundations

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Deanne Stone, Howard Muson, Katherine Grady, Kelin E. Gersick, Ph.D., Michele Desjardins

Chapter One of Generations of Giving: Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations, the landmark 2006 study by a team of researchers led by Kelin Gersick and co-published by the National Center for Family Philanthropy.  This chapter features a description of the research project and a summary of core themes raised i Order a hardcover or paperback copy of Generations of… Read More

Generations of Giving: Chapter 7 – Family Dynamics

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Deanne Stone, Howard Muson, Katherine Grady, Kelin E. Gersick, Ph.D., Michele Desjardins

Chapter 7 of Generations of Giving: Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations, the landmark 2006 study by a team of researchers led by Kelin Gersick and co-published by the National Center for Family Philanthropy.  This Chapter features an in-depth look at the role of family dynamics in multi-generational family foundations. The Chapter explores three overarching issues that reflect the lessons… Read More

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