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

Posted on August 4, 2021

Friends Focus highlights updates from members of our Friends of the Family network and their work. This month features updates from the Castellano Family Foundation, Cherng Family, Christopher Family Foundation, Nathan Cummings Foundation, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Laughing Gull Foundation, Lumpkin Family Foundation,  James B. McClatchy Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and Sobrato Philanthropies. Are you a current Friend or Leadership… Read More
Featured Article

Building and Maintaining a Highly Functioning Board: Ginny’s Governance Checklist

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Virginia M. Esposito

About this Series In the early days of a family foundation, the donors and other enthusiastic family members tend to turn first to the excitement of grantmaking and, soon thereafter, to the practicalities of management and investment needs. Governance doesn’t often make it into the conversation right away— and that makes a certain sense. Early governance tends to be informal… Read More
Voices from the Field

Turning Aspiration into Action: A New Report Illustrates Equity in Action at the McKnight Foundation

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Na Eng

Before Covid-19, the McKnight Foundation invited grantees and partners to reserve meeting space in its Minneapolis office. Photo courtesy of the McKnight Foundation. This article was originally posted by the McKnight Foundation and is re-posted here with permission. Ever since the McKnight Foundation released the organization’s first diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement in 2018, our board and staff have… Read More
Voices from the Field

Looking Ahead: Featuring NCFP Peer Network Co-chairs

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Katie Scott

Courtesy of Jopwell from Pexels The National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) activates and connects a diverse and engaged community of philanthropic families and partners and seeks to foster unique opportunities for learning and inspiration. A hallmark of our work and area for growth in our future is our Peer Networks. Peer Networks are peer-led groups for a specific role… Read More
Voices from the Field

Takeaways Blog on Grantee Relationships and Power Dynamics

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Jen Crino

Courtesy of Alexander Suhorucov from Pexels This blog summarizes key notes from our July Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy Webinar. Power dynamics are inherent any funder and grantee relationship, and this imbalance between giver and receiver can inhibit productive, honest partnerships. Often nonprofits make shifts to accommodate funder guidelines for grant dollars they are seeking, to fit the specific grant application… Read More
Voices from the Field

Strengthening Your Board’s Decision-making Process

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Ann Shulman

This blog post is excerpted from the new Passages Issue Brief: Demystifying Decision Making in Family Philanthropy How does your Board of Directors make decisions? Do you gather around a table with a clear, concise packet of relevant materials, a well-prepared agenda that spells out which decision-making process will be used, then calmly discuss various proposals until you reach a decision… Read More
Voices from the Field

Moving from Deceit to Trust: The Necessity of Listening

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Melinda Tuan

Courtesy of Christina Morillo from Pexels This article was originally published by The Center For Effective Philanthropy and is re-posted here with permission. A colleague recently asked me how much has changed since I wrote “The Dance of Deceit,” a 2004 Stanford Social Innovation Review article in which I reflected on my seven years as managing director of REDF and the power imbalances I… Read More
From NCFP

Holding the Paradox

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Nicholas A. Tedesco

This post features reflections from NCFP President and CEO Nick Tedesco on our recent CEO Retreat and the role of family philanthropy executives. “Holding paradoxes simultaneously is an evolved human skill.” — Tina Runyan, psychologist Sitting at a Crossroads: Family Cohesion and Social Impact Staff leaders play an important, yet challenging role in the ecosystem of family philanthropy. The role… Read More
Network News

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

Posted on July 7, 2021

Friends Focus highlights updates from members of our Friends of the Family network and their work. This month features updates from the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, McKnight Foundation, Roundhouse Foundation, The Russell Family Foundation, and Sobrato Philanthropies. Are you a current Friend or Leadership Circle member of NCFP with an update or good news about your foundation that you would… Read More

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