News and Notes from NCFP’s Friends of the Family Network

Friends Focus highlights updates from members of our Friends of the Family network and  their cutting edge work. This month features updates from Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund; Castellano Family Foundation; Russell Family Foundation; Wyncote Foundation; Frey Foundation; and JF Maddox Foundation; Indiana Philanthropy Alliance.

Are you a current Friend or Leadership Circle member of NCFP with an update or good news about your foundation that you would like to share with Family Giving News readers? Please email us. Interested in learning more about the families involved in NCFP’s Friends of the Family network? Go here.

Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund Appoints Robert Josephs as its new Vice President of Programs

The Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund has appointed Robert Josephs as its new Vice President of Programs. Josephs joins the Fund after serving in a senior leadership position with Tipping Point Community. In his new role, Josephs will oversee grantmaking and program strategy toward the Hass, Jr. Fund’s mission to advance rights and create opportunities for all. “Robert will play an essential role in ensuring we stay true to the mission and vision of the Fund while working with our partners to explore new opportunities for impact,” said Cathy Cha, President-elect of the Fund in a letter announcing the appointment.

Castellano Family Foundation Board Member Receives Yale Law School’s Award of Merit

On October 20, 2018, Yale Law School’s Dean Heather Gerken presented the Award of Merit to Carmela Castellano-Garcia. Carmela currently serves as a board member of the Castellano Family Foundation and on the board of the National Center for Family Philanthropy. Recipients of the Award are recognized for having made a substantial contribution to public service or to the legal profession. Previous recipients of the award include President Gerald R. Ford, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, and President William J. Clinton.

The Russell Family Foundation Releases Case Study on Impact Investing

The Russell Family Foundation has released a case study on its approach to impact investing outlining its comprehensive journey since inception and four-year experience growing from seven percent to almost 75 percent mission-aligned investments. The report details lessons learned and best practices for other mission-minded organizations to apply to their own investment strategies, including the importance of bringing together program staff and investment advisors to coordinate decision-making and how to use a “tug of war” exercise to pilot best strategies with a return on mission.

Philanthropy’s Real Value to the Public Sector

Feather O’Connor Houstoun, senior advisor to the Wyncote Foundation, offers her reflections on opportunities for productive alliances between philanthropy and the public sector in GOVERNING—the nation’s leading media platform covering politics, policy and management for state and local government leaders. “Not every foundation wants to engage with public systems, and some public officials view foundations merely as checkbooks to fill holes in their budgets,” writes Houstoun. “But for public leaders who want allies in change, there’s a lot of room for strategic cooperation.”

Family Champions and Champion Families: Developing Family Leaders to Sustain the Family Enterprise

NCFP Board Member and Frey Foundation Board Member Ellie Frey Zagel’s Successful Generations podcast showcases conversations around a broad range of “taboo topics”—family dynamics, money, obligation, and more—for next generation leaders in family business, family philanthropy and family wealth. In a recent podcast, Zagel interviewed Joshua Nacht, Ph.D., a consultant with the Family Business Consulting Group. He recently co-authored Family Champions and Champion Families: Developing Family Leaders to Sustain the Family Enterprise. Through a series of case studies, the book explores the role of family champions and the link to champion families. In this podcast, Nacht defines what a family champion is and reviews the traits these leaders commonly possess. He also lists the seven hallmarks of a champion family.

The Influence of a Place-Based Foundation and a Public University in Growing a Rural Health Workforce

This case study of the JF Maddox Foundation explores an unlikely partnership they created with the University of New Mexico’s Office for Community Health that resulted in an innovative approach for addressing a critical shortage of health professionals in an isolated, rural setting in the southeastern corner of New Mexico. Results included significant increases in recruitment of key health care professionals, a more cohesive medical community, a school-based clinic, and support for other community challenges, including prevention of teen pregnancy.

Special Thanks: NCFP Friends and Leadership Circle Members

We offer special thanks to our Friends of the Family and Leadership Circle funders who support and sustain the work of NCFP. Our Leadership Circle recognizes a special group of our most generous supporters. Our Friends offer continuing support for our work, ensuring that future generations of donor families can access the best possible resources for sound decision-making. See a complete list of NCFP Leadership Circle and Friends of the Family. Or, for more information, please contact Maureen Esposito at 202.293.3276 or at maureen@ncfp.org.