Perpetuity, lifespan, and spend down

Example Statements on Sunsetting a Family Foundation

Posted on June 11, 2025

A growing number of donors and foundation boards are sharing statements clarifying their reasons and goals for spending down. In this document we share some of our favorites including examples from: • The Compton Foundation • Rogers Family Foundation • Stupski Foundation • Edna McConnell Clark Foundation… Read More

Save the Date: Fourth Quarter Strategic Lifespan Peer Network

Posted on March 12, 2025

NCFP’s Strategic Lifespan Peer Network is for board members, foundation staff, advisors, and others in the family philanthropy field that are considering or have decided to spend down their assets. It is chaired by Priscilla Enriquez, Kate Ritter Repen, and Anne Marie Toccket. Meet peers in this confidential, safe space while discussing tactics, strategies, and timely questions about limited lifespan… Read More

Save the Date: Third Quarter Strategic Lifespan Peer Network

Posted on March 12, 2025

NCFP’s Strategic Lifespan Peer Network is for board members, foundation staff, advisors, and others in the family philanthropy field that are considering or have decided to spend down their assets. It is chaired by Priscilla Enriquez, Kate Ritter Repen, and Anne Marie Toccket. Meet peers in this confidential, safe space while discussing tactics, strategies, and timely questions about limited lifespan… Read More

Strategic Lifespan Peer Network: A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation: Investing in Partners to Ensure the Foundation’s Mission Lives On

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Sarah Elbert, Ashley Davis, Kate Ritter Repen, Joe Del Guercio

The Clark Foundation is nearing the conclusion of its decade-long sunset strategy. The foundation, founded in 1987, began its 10-year $1.3B spenddown in 2016, partnering with organizations to educate future engineering leaders, support veterans and their families, and expand opportunities for the Washington, DC community. Currently in its final year, the foundation remains focused on ensuring that their partners have… Read More

Strategic Lifespan Peer Network: The Spend Down Journey of the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Kim Jordan, Jordana Barrack, Priscilla Enriquez

Why did the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation decide to spend down its assets by 2040? What are the values underlining that decision? What do they hope their impact will be? Join us for a conversation with Kim Jordan, founder, and Jordana Barrack, executive director, who will share insights about the decision to sunset the foundation and lessons from the process. Hear about… Read More

Strategic Lifespan Peer Network: Strengthening Nonprofits Through Capacity-Building Support—Lessons Learned from the Cedarmere Foundation’s Spenddown Journey

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Melanie Matthews, Kate Ritter Repen, Anne Marie Toccket, Priscilla Enriquez, Kathy Edwards

The trustees of the Cedarmere Foundation decided to spend down their endowment in order to invest in the capacity building of organizations and initiatives that sustain and strengthen the nonprofit sector in Washington State. Since then, the foundation has focused on: Investing in the development, support, and sustainability of nonprofit leadership Sharing what is learned with philanthropic partners and nonprofit… Read More

Strategic Lifespan Peer Network: Supporting Social Movements: How a Spend Down Foundation Can Make a More Impactful Difference

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Vanessa Silberman, Sharon Yazowski, Anne Marie Toccket, Priscilla Enriquez

What caused the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation to move from gifting six to eight percent of their total assets annually, to a decision to spend down its $150M in assets by 2041? What impact do they hope to make during that time? Join us for a conversation with Sharon Yazowski, CEO, and Vanessa Silberman, Executive Vice President on the… Read More

Strategic Lifespan Peer Network: What Spending Down Well Can Accomplish—Lessons Learned from the Pierce Family Foundation

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Denis Pierce, Laura Jansen, Anne Marie Toccket, Priscilla Enriquez

The Pierce Family Foundation sunsetted at the end of 2023. Why did they decide to spend down? How did they ensure they provided the most impactful support to nonprofits? Join us for a conversation with Laura Jansen, former Director of Programs and Operations at the Pierce Family Foundation, and Denis Pierce, President and Founder of the Foundation, who will share… Read More

Values in Action: Thinking Strategically About Your Family Philanthropy’s Lifespan

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Christine Zachai, Sharon Yazowski, Anne Marie Toccket, Whitney Feld

How does your organization’s lifespan align with your family philanthropy’s mission and purpose? This webinar will guide families through making intentional decisions about their philanthropic lifespan. During the session we will hear real-life examples and discuss: How to decide if or when to revisit conversations around lifespan, and who is involved in these conversations. How does your designated lifespan allow… Read More

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