Giving motivations, interests, and identity

Pride of Place: Sustaining a Family’s Commitment to Community

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Virginia M. Esposito, Gilbert Miller, Kelly Chopus

What does it mean to have “pride of place”? How do giving families retain their commitment to the founding region or community where their philanthropic resources were first created? How can family foundations and funds accommodate increasingly disparate personal interests among those serving on the board while staying true to the original geographic focus of the donor family? These questions… Read More

Family Stories and Interviewing Elders

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Bill Leighty, Debbie Brodsky, Kelly Medinger, David Weitnauer

Capturing and sharing your family’s history is critical to understanding and appreciating your philanthropy, providing a window into the rich heritage of your extended family. Elders in your family often have particularly interesting stories to tell, and can help family members of all ages feel more connected with the generations preceding them, and gain an even greater appreciation of their… Read More

Philanthropic Planning in Your Family Enterprise

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Wendy R. Ulaszek, Ph.D., Devin DeCiantis

While every family’s relationship to philanthropy is unique – based on entrepreneurial legacy, family values, cultural context, business performance and stakeholder expectations – the authors of this issue brief suggest that there are common lessons for all families who are contemplating a more strategic approach to engaging in these activities… Read More

Giving Fingerprints (Franks, 2018)

Posted on September 25, 2018 by Dawn Franks

You are as unique as the pattern of whorls and lines of your fingerprint. So is your giving style. Make your mark on the causes closest to your heart and maximize the impact of your gifts by discovering your distinctive, personal giving brand. I wrote this short book to give you a view of your giving habits. What does your… Read More