Sarah 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 past board member 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

Narratives that Shape Family Origin Stories and their Connection to Ownership

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Sarah Cavanaugh, June Wilson

Family philanthropy is rooted in family origin stories. While these narratives are multi-faceted, the field needs to further acknowledge and address how whiteness is embedded in stories about wealth creation and ownership. In this dialogue, Sarah Cavanaugh of the Russell Family Foundation will share how her efforts to tackle her own whiteness are beginning to shape the family conversation at… Read More

Core Values of a Splendid Legacy

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Sarah Cavanaugh

Values build and strengthen a legacy in families. This chapter from Splendid Legacy 2: The Guide to Creating and Re-creating Your Family Foundation shares ideas to get you started with your foundation’s values, or revisit the ones that you have now as part of your own family legacy… Read More

Family Members on Call: Being Both Family and Staff

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Sarah 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 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

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