Disaster Philanthropy: the Role of Family Giving in Preparedness, Response and Recovery

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Barbara Andersen, Lois Mitchell, Lori Bertman, Regine A. Webster

Usually, disasters bring out the best in people. Donations to charities surge as television coverage increases. Government agencies work closely with non-profit organizations, private philanthropy, and corporations. Yet we know from experience that both coordination and effective spending of donor dollars is a particular challenge, not just while the disaster is underway, but also in the long-term, as rebuilding begins… Read More

Adding nonfamily trustees and community voices to your family foundation board

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Adam Gibbons, Alan Fox, Diane Kaplan, Katherine Weaver, Richard Moore

What are the signs that your foundation’s board might benefit from adding a community leader to bring new energy and a fresh voice to board deliberations and decisions? Some family foundations have never had an outside trustee on the board and don’t want one. Others have had non-family trustees since their inception—either a friend or business associate of the founder, a trusted lawyer or accountant, or a program expert or local community leader respected by the family… Read More

Board Roles and Operating Guidelines (The Needmor Fund)

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Needmor Fund

The Needmor Fund’s written operating guidelines, including a description of board roles and responsibilities, expectations, election and nominations process, opportunities for family involvement, and description of board officer and committee roles and responsibilities… Read More