NCFP Blog

Having an impact on deeply entrenched problems often requires funding at scale over long periods of time. While family funders use many tools to support their grantees and communities, few are employing endowments as a way to sustain nonprofits over the long term. Here, leaders from the Field Foundation of Illinois, Grand Victoria Foundation, and Schott Foundation share the benefits… Read More

This article was originally published by Inside Philanthropy on January 16, 2025 and is re-posted here with permission.  Through her NCFP fellowship Dilnaz Waraich sought to explore Muslim American giving through storytelling. In the process of developing an exhibit—Inspired Generosity— to showcase those stories, Dilnaz and the WF Fund engaged a wide range of people. Here, Dilnaz and Tamela Spicer… Read More

While many family philanthropies have an expressed commitment to equity, disability and its intersectional relationship with other identities is rarely considered—even while about one in four adults in the U.S. have a disability. National Forum speakers Christie Cawley, Ryan Easterly, Gail Fuller, and Dr. Zakiya Mabery shared their expertise for advancing disability inclusion in family philanthropy. Here, Cara Binder-Kopchick synthesizes… Read More

Racial justice and systemic inequities can be tough topics to grapple with as a family. Impact Experience’s Jenna Nicholas and Olabayo Allen-Taylor consider the ways that racial equity learning journeys not only provide an education for philanthropic families, but also draw families together across generations through shared experiences and knowledge as well as increased empathy.  Working together as a family… Read More

While change is inevitable in most pursuits, managing it well in the practice of family philanthropy can be particularly complicated as so much of philanthropy is deeply personal. National Forum speakers Rebecca Cisek, Tina Kimbrough, Sylia Obagi, and Kyle Peterson shared their tips for managing a wide-variety of change. Here, Cara Binder-Kopchick synthesizes their recommendations, offering ways that philanthropic staff… Read More

As a second-generation family member, Liz Norton outlines the process she and her siblings undertook to honor the work of their parents, forge their own philanthropic path, and embrace transparency in the next era of the foundation’s work.  “I think I will just take the big green glass vase.” My dad smiled at me when I said this. That vase… Read More

Intermediary funds are appealing choices for donors who want to enter a new funding space, respond to urgent needs, or lack the time to commit to an issue they care about, among other reasons. Here, Chloe Cockburn of Just Impact Advisors outlines what intermediaries are, when donors should use them, and how to select a fund. Donors interested in funding… Read More