NCFP Blog

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
Voices from the Field

Engaging Youth Retreat: A Recap

Posted on June 22, 2021 by Jen Crino

Courtesy of Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash This article was originally published by Foundant and is re-posted here with permission. For families interested in engaging multiple generations in their philanthropy, younger family members need opportunities to learn and build skills and competencies necessary for future leadership. These skills and family philanthropy knowledge should be taught in tandem with a broader… Read More
Voices from the Field

The Juneteenth Legacy Project and the “Absolute Equality” Mural

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Sheridan Lorenz

The Juneteenth Legacy Project Mural. Courtesy of Reginald Adams. On Juneteenth, 2020 I received a call from Galveston historian, Samuel C. Collins. His call was in response to an op-ed published in the Galveston Daily News that day. In it, I wrote that white people must acknowledge systemic racism; to deny it exists is to be complicit. After the horror… Read More
Voices from the Field

Takeaways Blog on Building a Social Impact Strategy and Approach

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Jen Crino

Courtesy of Mikael Blomkvist from Pexels This blog summarizes key notes from our June Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy Webinar. A social impact strategy is the fundamental element of a family philanthropy effort. The practice of grantmaking actualizes the motivations of a donor, advances their values, and accomplishes their aims and objectives. However, it requires careful planning and consideration. A family… Read More
Featured Article

Gift from Mackenzie Scott, Dan Jewett Helps NCFP Meet this Moment of Change

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Nicholas A. Tedesco

Change is upon us. Change for the world, where social norms and constructs are transforming. Change for the sector, where the purpose and practice of philanthropy is shifting. Change for philanthropic families, whose new leaders are emerging.  The National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) recognizes opportunity in change, because it marks moments ripe for innovation, learning, and collaboration. Today marks… Read More
Effective Family Philanthropy in Action

Family Philanthropy Speaks: A Conversation with Irene Pritzker and Liesel Pritzker Simmons

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Irene Pritzker, Liesel Pritzker Simmons, Nicholas A. Tedesco

Liesel Pritzker Simmons, principal and co-founder of Blue Haven Initiative, and her mom Irene Pritzker, president of the IDP Foundation, have built innovative family philanthropy efforts. In this Family Philanthropy Speaks episode, hear how Liesel and Irene have learned alongside one another while forging their own identities as impact investors and change agents. About the Series Philanthropy is a practice… Read More
Voices from the Field

Intentional Collaboration is a Group Effort (Part 1 of 4)

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Debi Blizard, Zoe True

Courtesy of Brooke Cagle on Unsplash As philanthropists lean into global challenges like climate change and economic inequality, it is easy to see that no one person or organization can shift the tide on these issues by themselves. To move the needle on these complex problems we must understand how to work together better, both externally with our partners as… Read More

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