Family philanthropy has many points of inflection, during which a family can embrace proven practices and increase momentum or stall out due to uncertainty and lack of clarity. The Family Giving Lifecycle is a seven-stage framework that encompasses the breadth and inflection points of family philanthropy and helps guide donors to effective outcomes.
NCFP developed a primer for each stage of the lifecycle that:
- Covers core concepts in family philanthropy
- Features worksheets to help you apply the concepts to your work
- Includes a playbook to use with your family to codify your decisions and plan your course of action
Explore the Primers
Companion Primer: The Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy
Learn about foundational topics in family philanthropy that will ground your practice throughout the rest of the Lifecycle, including managing conflict, decision-making frameworks, and the social impact landscape.
Available to NCFP Members and nonmembers.
Learn More
Philanthropic Purpose
Defining Your Motivations, Values, Principles, and Priorities
Use this primer to help define the why of your philanthropy, including your motivations, values, principles, priorities, and giving style.
Available to NCFP Members and Network Partners.
Learn More
Impact Vehicles & Structures
Aligning Your Organizational Structure with Your Purpose
Choosing the right vehicle(s) for your family philanthropy can be overwhelming. This primer will help you and your family to assess your options and understand which vehicles are best positioned to complement your goals.
Available to NCFP Members and Network Partners.
Learn More
Governance
Building a Framework for Decision-Making
A practical governance framework breaks the who and how of decision-making into four elements: people, principles, policies, and practices. Use this primer to establish or refine a governance framework for your family philanthropy.
Available to NCFP Members and Network Partners.
Impact Strategies & Tools
Translating Your Philanthropic Objectives into Action
At its core, grantmaking brings your objectives to life to create good for others. Use this primer to help you understand your purpose, role, and context and how to use those elements to create your social impact strategy.
Available to NCFP Members and Network Partners.
Learn More
Assessment & Learning
Identifying Methods to Measure Success
This primer will help you and your family to craft an assessment and learning plan to help define and measure the progress and success of your strategy, governance, and administrative efforts.
Available to NCFP Members and Network Partners.
Operations & Management
Administering Your Philanthropy in Alignment with Your Purpose
Learn how to design your philanthropic operations and management decisions to support your values, priorities, mission, and vision.
Available to NCFP Members and Network Partners.
Succession & Legacy
Exploring Identity, Lifespan, Transitions, and Successor Engagement
This primer will help you and your family to define your philanthropic legacy, consider your philanthropy’s lifespan, and decide, if needed, on a succession plan.
Available to NCFP Members and Network Partners.
Learn More