National Center for Family Philanthropy

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Policy Central Disclaimer Statement

Posted on April 15, 2012 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Please note that these samples have been provided for illustrative purposes only, and may not represent the latest versions of these documents at the organizations listed. The National Center for Family Philanthropy cannot be held liable for specific policies or practices that you adopt after reviewing the documents included here. We strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified legal… Read More

Additional Reading: Enhancing Your Family’s Philanthropic Decisions

Posted on January 15, 2012 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

There are a variety of resources, both new and old, on the topic of enhancing diversity in the view and perspectives on family foundation boards. Here are a few of our favorites: A Place at the Table: Non-Family Membership on the Family Foundation Board by Joseph Foote and Dorna L. Allen, published by the National Center for Family Philanthropy, December 2011… Read More

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Training Opportunities for Younger Family Members and New Trustees

Posted on January 15, 2012 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Our family foundation board is committed to adding several new next generation family members (i.e., in their 20s and 30s) to the board in the next 2-3 years. We also need to become more proactive in inviting younger family members (i.e., those in the 10-20 range) to participate in the family’s philanthropy. Do you have suggestions for opportunities for our… Read More

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Family Foundation Board Job Descriptions

Posted on November 15, 2011 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Our family foundation is preparing to bring on the third generation of family board members. As we prepare for this important transition we hope to better document the specific roles, responsibilities and attributes of our board members. Do you have suggestions for what to include in a family foundation board job description? NCFP receives this question frequently. Fortunately, a growing… Read More

Milestone Celebrations in Family Philanthropy

Posted on July 15, 2011 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Milestone birthday celebrations are momentous events in all families. For many, this tradition carries over directly to the philanthropic institutions they create. A growing number of families celebrating their 40th, 50th or 60th anniversaries have found ways to honor the giving legacy of the donor and subsequent generations, while also celebrating the importance and potential of their nonprofit partners. In… Read More

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Attracting the Right Grantseekers… and Keeping Them from Drowning in Paperwork

Posted on June 15, 2011 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

How do we put together guidelines that attract the right grantseekers… and that are respectful of their time and resources? Many family foundations have written the National Center over the past 15 years asking for guidance on how to create grantmaking guidelines that attract the right grantseekers and that do not place undue burden on the applicants (or the foundation… Read More

What Makes a Family Foundation CEO an Effective Leader: Insights from William M. Dietel

Posted on June 15, 2011 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of reports on NCFP’s Leadership Symposium for Family Foundation CEOs held March 23-24 in Washington, DC. The unique role of the family foundation chief executive often involves a very complex relationship in which the CEO serves the public good and the foundation’s mission, and at the same time, helps a private… Read More

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Keeping “Control”

Posted on May 15, 2011 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Our foundation has begun discussions to add nonfamily trustees to enhance and complement the skills and perspectives currently on our all-family board. How do we ensure that the family will not lose “control” of the foundation over time? There are a variety of strategies that family foundations around the country have used to retain control while engaging non-family board members… Read More

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Donor Legacy Statements, Values Statements, and Ethical Wills

Posted on March 15, 2011 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

I work for a small family foundation as their non-family executive director. The foundation has been in existence for 25 years. In the near term, I will be sitting down with the founder, who is preparing to write his legacy. I am wondering if you’re familiar with other founders who have shared excerpts concerning their vision for philanthropy that you thought to be… Read More

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Tips and tools for effective family board meetings

Posted on October 15, 2010 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

This month’s Ask the Center features tips and tools for effective family board meetings from Marla Bobowick, former Vice President at BoardSource and founder of Bobowick Consulting, and Karie Brown, principal of KB Consulting and Board member of the Hidden Leaf Foundation. Marla and Karie were the featured speakers on the August 2010 Family Philanthropy Teleconference, Creative Agendas for More… Read More

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