Finding Common Ground, Valuing Different Views

Families and foundation boards across the country wrestle with diverging values, various religions and different political persuasions.  While always a concern, divergent opinions come into sharper focus as the nation heads into the 2012 election year. In this candid, behind the scenes look at two family foundations, we explore strategies and techniques to promote civil discourse.

Featured Speakers

Bobbi Hapgood

Bobbi Hapgood has been involved with her extended family’s foundation, Educational Foundation of America, for over…

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Chris Renner

Christopher Renner is the founder and CEO of The Prentice Group, a nationwide healthcare recruitment firm…

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Terry Hunt

Terry Hunt, Ed.D., is a licensed psychologist who brings to his work an enthusiasm for personal…

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Headshot of Tony Macklin

Tony Macklin

Tony Macklin, a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, consults with donor families, grantmakers, and their advisors about…

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What others have said...

These teleconferences are the best education in philanthropy that one can find anywhere. Even for those of us with decades of experience they continue to reveal nuances and best practices that we can use in our grantmaking. Bravo to the National Center for setting the bar so high for us and then helping us achieve it.

Shirley Fredricks, Board Member, Lawrence Welk Family Foundation

This event exceeded my expectations. The speakers were candid and informative as well as practical and inspiring. I learned a lot.

Anonymous

Thanks for presenting two exemplary foundations with different approaches who continue to learn from each other. What a great message for all families.

Anonymous

Great speakers!

Anonymous

It was a frank conversation with a number of practical recommendations. Rare.

Anonymous
  • What I learned: focus on how many people will be affected by a grant rather than how it makes you feel – remove yourself from the equation and keep in mind the mission of the foundation.
  • There are different ways to get to the same end
  • Learn to trust and respect others on the board. Have a member of another branch of the family mentor new board members.
  • Emphasive respect and openness to opinion of others. Leave personal ideologies at door, and developing qualitative criteria for judging requests.
  • Establish governance procedures to minimize conflict in the board room.
  • It can be very important to have a strong listening chair
What Participants Learned

Additional questions? Contact NCFP