Getting Started

Meeting the Moment Part One: Philanthropic Vehicles to Fund Democracy

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Dr. Lourdes Rodríguez, Kathleen Doffermyre, Estevan Muñoz-Howard, Adam Simon

What are the models and vehicles available for investing in and strengthening democracy? How are family philanthropies using them successfully? This webinar will equip participants with an understanding of the types of vehicles and strategies that can be used to fund this work. You will hear from family foundations with direct experience funding in this area, including the Aviv Foundation,… Read More

Clarifying Your Purpose and Legacy Part Two: Generational Transitions

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Oona Coy, Grace Tenhula, Diana Spencer, Rebecca Randall

Grandfather, father, and son looking at content on a tablet
How can you prepare the next generation to confidently take the helm while also preparing the current generation of leaders to feel secure in stepping back? Our speakers, who are next generation representatives, will be sharing their own experiences of generational transitions, including the processes their philanthropies used, the complexities of nurturing leadership skills, how they fostered a deep understanding… Read More

Clarifying Your Purpose and Legacy Part One: NCFP’s Family Giving Lifecycle Curriculum

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Miki Akimoto, Nicholas A. Tedesco

Intentional philanthropy requires ongoing reflection and planning. This interactive webinar will give an overview of NCFP’s Family Giving Lifecycle and updated curriculum which provides families with practical tools and proven strategies to clarify their philanthropic mission, effectively transition leadership, ensure lasting impact, and preserve their philanthropic values. Then we’ll take a deep dive into the Succession & Legacy module and… Read More

Effective Family Philanthropy: The Kendeda Fund

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Ade Adeniji

The Kendeda Fund is Writing its Last Checks — and the Last Chapter of a 30-Year Story of Giving About 30 years ago, Diana Blank began to ramp up her philanthropy through what became known as the Kendeda Fund, drawing the name from her three children, Kenny, Dena and Danielle. Tapping into wealth derived from the Home Depot empire, which… Read More

Community Foundations Topical Call: Supporting Family Learning and Assessment

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Daria Teutonico

Intentional learning and right-sized assessment are hallmarks of effective philanthropy. Donors and foundations frequently ask such questions as: What impact have grantees had? Are we reasonable in our expectations of that impact? Are we making progress toward our goals and vision? Are we improving in our ability to govern and manage our work as a family? Community foundation staff often… Read More

Community Foundations Topical Call: Managing Fee-For-Service Philanthropy Advising and Consulting Work

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Ana Akhtar, J.M. Johnson, Colleen McCarthy Blair, Tony Macklin

The wealth management industry has steadily increased fee-based advisory services, complementing or entirely replacing income earned from assets under management. Two drivers of this shift are the competition from lost-cost investing options shrinking firms’ profit margins, and the interest of rising generations and mass-affluent clients in fee transparency. Community foundations have also been experimenting with fee-based advisory and grantmaking services,… Read More

Strategic Lifespan Peer Network: Insights from the Kendeda Fund

Posted on August 7, 2023 by David Brotherton, Dena Kimball, Anne Marie Toccket, Priscilla Enriquez, Glen Galaich

Every family foundation that has decided to sunset has a unique spend down journey. But every family foundation learns throughout that journey. The Kendeda Fund has committed to spending out the remainder of its assets and ending grantmaking operations by the end of 2023. Since their founder, Diana Blank, began her philanthropic journey nearly 30 years ago, Kendeda has worked… Read More

Sustainable Investing as Part of a 10-Year Spend Down at The John Merck Fund

Posted on August 7, 2023 by The John Merck Fund

When The John Merck Fund embarked on a 10-year spendout of its assets in 2012, the board aimed to maximize its grantmaking clout across four core program areas. The board also set another challenge: to finance the effort as much as possible with sustainable investments consistent with the Fund's philanthropic mission—and, what’s more, to do this without sacrificing market-rate returns… Read More

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