NCFP Blog

Voices from the Field

Lessons Philanthropy Can Take From The 2021 UN Climate Change Conference

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Nicole Systrom

We’re all waiting to find out what is going to come out of COP26, the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference that starts at the end of October. For me, the dream scenario is: Just as the global climate change conference is set to take place, the US passes President Biden’s $3.5-trillion economic plan, sending an unmistakable signal to the international… Read More
Voices from the Field

Five Lessons from Our DEI Growth and Transformation

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Laverne Matías, Jennifer Rainin, Shelley Trott, Lauren Webster

This blog was collaboratively written by the Kenneth Rainin Foundation’s Executive Team A few years ago, the Kenneth Rainin Foundation embarked on a mission to explore how we could play a role in building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive future. Like many other foundations on this journey, a core part of our process has been documenting and sharing what… Read More
From NCFP

Build Bridges and Spread Solutions: Reflections on the past and the path forward at the 2021 Trustee Education Institute

Posted on October 19, 2021 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

At the very onset of this year’s 2021 Trustee Education Institute, David Callahan, founding editor of Inside Philanthropy, said that even before COVID-19 and the social and political unrest of the last several years, he was skeptical of philanthropy’s ability to shift: “I doubted that most foundations would ever be willing to change,” he said, “and yet many foundations have… Read More
Effective Family Philanthropy in Action

Family Philanthropy Speaks: A Conversation with Dimple Abichandani and Robin Snidow

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Nicholas A. Tedesco, Dimple Abichandani, Robin Snidow

Dimple Abichandani, Executive Director of the General Service Foundation (GSF), works closely with the foundation’s chair, Robin Snidow. In this Family Philanthropy Speaks episode, the pair talk with NCFP President and CEO Nick Tedesco about their philanthropic journeys, GSF’s spending policy and values-aligned practices, and how they’ve fostered a meaningful relationship with one another.  About the Series Philanthropy is… Read More
From NCFP

Takeaways Blog on Scaling for Success

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Jen Crino

This blog summarizes key notes from our September Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy Webinar. Giving families often reach a point where they grow their giving; however, it is often challenging to understand the practices that promote success. How do you develop an effective strategy and systems as your philanthropy expands? When does a philanthropic effort require staff and what are the… Read More
Voices from the Field

The Value of Problem Solving With Peers

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Doug Bitonti Stewart

When I started as the first executive director of the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, the National Center for Family Philanthropy was one of the first groups I was introduced to by my board lead at that time, Julie Fisher Cummings. Feeling welcomed by this organization and its leaders, I benefited from listening to those who had done… Read More
From NCFP

Ginny’s Governance Checklist Part 3: Composing Your Board Eligibility, Size, Selection, and Terms

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Virginia M. Esposito

The Governance Checklist blog series is a practical guide to building and maintaining the best possible family foundation board. Framed around a series of questions, the Checklist can guide a discussion about the founding of a new board or a healthy, and well-advised, reconsideration of your board’s development and effectiveness. The first installment focused on the principles that inspire and… Read More
Network News

October 2021: News and Notes from NCFP’s Friends of the Family Network

Posted on October 5, 2021

Friends Focus highlights updates from members of our Friends of the Family network and their work. This month features updates from the Bainum Family Foundation, Nathan Cummings Foundation, Delaplaine Foundation, General Service Foundation, Haas Jr. Fund, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Libra Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Nord Family Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Robins Foundation, and Walton Family Foundation… Read More
Voices from the Field

Showing Up and Sharing Power: How One Foundation Board Deepened Relationships with its Nonprofit Partners Through Trust-Based Conversations

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Carrie Avery, Aurea Montes-Rodriguez

This article was originally published by Trust-Based Philanthropy Project and is re-posted here with permission. Leadership at the Durfee Foundation wanted to break down the traditional barriers between foundation trustees and nonprofit partners. Why do you do what you do? What led you to create a community-based startup organization? Has there been a huge surprise along the way so far—good,… Read More
Voices from the Field

Funders Support Strong Communities Through Meaningful Relationships

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Amy Segal Shorey

Myron Miller, trustee of the Herman and Frieda L. Miller Foundation, sat among members of the clergy at an immigration rights event hosted by Massachusetts Communities Action Network—a faith-based organizing group. His presence in that setting was unusual for a trustee, but not at all surprising for a foundation that prioritizes community connections as the cornerstone for effective giving. “That… Read More

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