Sarah Russell Cavanaugh

Sarah Cavanaugh is a trustee of the Jini Dellaccio Collection, preserving and promoting the work of the master photographer. She serves as trustee and past president of The Russell Family Foundation and as a board director of the National Center for Family Philanthropy. She is also a member of the Honorary Council of Philanthropy Northwest and a trustee of The Merwin Conservancy. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for many years in support of the arts, education, leadership development, the environment, and children’s health.

Contributions

Creating a Culture of Learning for Your Family and Board

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Evan M. Hunt, Lila C. Hunt, Richard Woo, Sarah Russell Cavanaugh, Tony Macklin

Many families find that commitment and satisfaction in their shared philanthropy is directly correlated to the efforts they take to educate and train board and family members about their roles and responsibilities -- and about the many grantmaking options available to them… Read More

Family Members on Call: Being Both Family and Staff

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Elizabeth Walters, Sarah Russell Cavanaugh

If you are already family staff, if you are thinking of hiring a staff member who is family, or if you are transitioning from a family to a nonfamily staff person, this discussion is for you. The role of staff member to a family philanthropy already comes with a myriad of roles. But when the staff person is also family, there's a whole set of dynamics with both benefits and challenges… Read More

Sample Family Foundation Meeting Agenda (Russell Family Foundation)

Posted on April 18, 2000 by Sarah Russell Cavanaugh

5 minutes Opening Reading A story that reflects one of the values of your foundation (serious or humorous). Focuses Trustees and sets the tone for the meeting. 15–30 minutes Executive Session What keeps the executive director up at night? Trustees are active listeners, building a trusting relationship with the executive director 1–3 hours Plenary Session Educational session on a… Read More