Board decision-making

Board Chair Peer Network: Supporting Your Executive Director and Staff Team

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Jean Whitney, Jim Parsons

Relationships between board and staff are vital to success, effectiveness, and a positive organizational culture for the team and the family. How do you support your executive director through reviews, regular connections, and planning support? How do you intentionally connect with the executive director and staff team? Can you create a two-way street to encourage communication, partnership, and best practice… Read More

Board Chair Peer Network: A Discussion About Racial Justice

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Maggie Lear, Sarah Robinson

Join Maggie Lear and Sarah Robinson to discuss racial justice journeys, practical next steps, and family discussions. Both speakers participated in the NCFP Racial Justice Learning & Action Network. They have had different journeys and will share their experiences as funders and personally. Brainstorm with the group about practical ways to activate in your foundations around racial justice. In this… Read More

Governance Practices for Better Decision Making

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Kerry Ellington, Connie Malloy, Lisl Schoepflin, Miki Akimoto, Laura McCargar

conference, meeting
Governance practices of philanthropic families are evolving to include more diverse voices and perspectives. Two common pathways for donors to become more informed and proximate to the communities they partner with include: the appointment of an expert or community advisory committee to guide social impact strategies and decisions, and appointing independent board members. What are the considerations a family must… Read More

Hate-Free Family Philanthropy

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Eric Jolly, Robert (Bob) Fockler, Abbas Barzegar

Many donors are having conversations about their approach to anti-hate philanthropy. Attendees at this small group dialogue will gather for a grounding discussion about hate-free philanthropy with Abbas Barzegar from Horizon Forum.  Then, learn from two community foundation leaders, Robert M. Fockler, (Community Foundation of Greater Memphis) and Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D., (Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation), about their foundations’ journey,… Read More

Board Chair Peer Network: Navigating and Leading through Family Conflict and Disagreement

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Rebecca Trobe

How do you prepare to lead a tough meeting with your family? Join Dr. Rebecca Trobe for an interactive session of peer connections and learning together. Dr. Trobe works at the intersection of money and meaning, family, and leadership. She will join us to help address and explore how to effectively navigate and utilize your leadership before, during, and after… Read More

Non-family Staff Peer Network: Discussion with Leading Executive Directors

Posted on August 12, 2021 by Rachel Leon, Jamie Allison, Denise Porche, Kim Wright, Lukas Haynes, Steve Toben

Join your peers to engage in small-group dialogue with three accomplished executive directors: Jamie Allison, Walter and Elise Haas Fund; Rachel Leon, Park Foundation; and Lukas Haynes, The David Rockefeller Fund. We will begin with a brief panel to get to know each speaker. Then we will split into three small groups, facilitated by one of this network’s co-chairs, to… Read More

Board Chair Peer Network: Finding Peers in Transition

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Jaimie Mayer, Nicholas A. Tedesco, Gilbert Miller, Katherine Lorenz

Managing transitions is challenging, but support and insight from peers can help as you navigate times of change. Join Nick Tedesco for opening comments about working through transitions together. Then, spend time in small groups with others who are going through similar shifts including changes to mission, changing program and program strategy areas, geographic family dispersion, and influx of assets… Read More

Demystifying Decision Making in Family Philanthropy

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Ann Shulman

This Passages Issue Brief examines the kinds of decisions that family foundations often face and sets out practical, easy-to-apply guidelines for ensuring that the foundation’s decision-making methods vary appropriately, as conditions and circumstances change. It includes factors to consider when selecting a decision-making method, guidance on how to communicate clearly, simple tools to help make good decisions, and short case… Read More

Decision Making when Founders are Present

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Ann Shulman

This is an excerpt from Demystifying Decision Making in Family Philanthropy. Founders accustomed to making their own decisions in a business setting may bring unilateral decision-making to the foundation, often using it inappropriately. Founders may think of the foundation as “theirs” and feel impatient with or dismissive of group decision-making. At the same time, they genuinely want family members to… Read More

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