While family philanthropy is often typified by prominent family foundations, giving families have been involved in community foundations since the first such charity was created in Cleveland in 1914. Members of philanthropic families are donors, board members, and partners to community foundations around the world. Families turn to community foundations for the convenience, tax benefits, and privacy that donor-advised funds can provide them and for the advice, experience, and expertise that community foundation staff can provide their giving programs. It’s not uncommon for families to use multiple charitable vehicles in the service of various charitable goals, and the resulting “philanthropic toolbox” will often involve a community foundation. Indeed, families with family foundations frequently seek out community foundations for their program expertise, as potential collaborators, and to grow and support philanthropy in a specific area or region.
Explore this section for more on family philanthropy in community foundations, and how community foundations are responding to this fast-growing philanthropic community.
October 2007
Wanted: Tax-Advantageous, Convenient, Flexible Way to Give Back. Giving Family Seeks Way to Make Difference Privately. Must Love Children.
Families looking for less time-consuming but still informed and effective ways to give back are increasingly turning to donor-advised funds, either exclusively or in tandem with other giving vehicles, such as private foundations.
This month’s Family Giving News looks at how donors are employing these vehicles in pursuit of their charitable goals. [FGN Feature]
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2002
This study presents a report on the state of family philanthropy in community foundations. The report describes why and how families are using community foundations, and the factors fueling the growth of family philanthropy within community foundations. The report also addresses why some families may not be accessing the services of community foundations, and the factors inhibiting the growth of family philanthropy within community foundations.
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2005
'Making the Commitment' addresses the strategic, philosophical, structural and practical considerations related to community foundation management, emphasizing a cost/benefit framework to help community foundations decide whether or not to offer family philanthropic services, and if so, in what way. It also offers a tool to perform a thorough self-assessment with which to identify internal and external strengths and weaknesses.
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2004
Many families set up donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, or other funds at community foundations, which focus their giving in a city, state, or region. This site provides a national database of community foundations across the U.S.
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