Jim Parsons

Jim Parsons

Former President, The Brinson Foundation

Jim Parsons is the former president of the Brinson Foundation from 2004 to 2019. Jim is a member the Board of the Directors of the National Center for Family Philanthropy; the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Architecture Foundation; the Board of Advisors of the Morton Arboretum, which he chairs; and the Board of Directors of the Partnership for College Completion.  He is a past chair of the Board of Directors of Forefront (formerly Donors Forum) and previously served on the Board of Trustees of Denison University and the Board of Directors of King-Bruwaert House, a continuous care retirement community. He is a life trustee and former Board chair of The Community House, a social services agency located in west suburban Chicago. Prior to his career in philanthropy, Jim practiced law at the Chicago law firm of Gardner, Carton & Douglas (now Drinker, Biddle & Reath) where he also served as Managing Partner. Jim received his law degree from The University of Chicago and his undergraduate degree from Denison University.

Contributions

Board Chair Peer Network: Supporting Your Executive Director and Staff Team

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Jean Whitney, Jim Parsons

Relationships between board and staff are vital to success, effectiveness, and a positive organizational culture for the team and the family. How do you support your executive director through reviews, regular connections, and planning support? How do you intentionally connect with the executive director and staff team? Can you create a two-way street to encourage communication, partnership, and best practice… Read More

Consensus and Complexity: A Retreat for New Family Foundation CEOs

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Alexa Cortes Culwell, Nicholas A. Tedesco, Virginia M. Esposito, Ambassador James A. Joseph, Stephen Treat, June Wilson, David Weitnauer, Jim Parsons

SOLD OUT! Contact NCFP at (202) 293-3424 to add your name to the wait list. Serving in the leadership staffing role for a family foundation can be one of the best jobs you’ll ever have, but it is not without challenges and complications. This first-of-its-kind NCFP peer retreat provides a unique opportunity for new family foundation CEOs to reflect on… Read More

A Conversation with New and Graduating CEOs (Live Stream of 2019 National Forum)

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Nicholas A. Tedesco, Jamie Allison, Don Chen, Richard Woo, Jim Parsons

NCFP will live stream a session from the 2019 National Forum on Family Philanthropy in Chicago, IL. From the comfort of your home or office—and with a computer or electronic device—you can listen and view the event as it happens live. Being the non-family staff leader of a multi-generational family foundation is a privilege and honor. The path to engaging… Read More

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