NCFP Blog

Voices from the Field

A Preponderance of Joy

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Heather Larson

This holiday season, there are many who feel the weight of the year. There has been so much hardship, sickness, and struggle. In the midst of all the chaos, I have seen many bright spots from generous families around me who are giving joyfully and strategically, doing their best to make a difference with all that is going on in… Read More
From NCFP

A Season of Change

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Nicholas A. Tedesco

One year ago, I joined the National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) as its second president and chief executive officer. On my first day, our esteemed founder Ginny Esposito gifted me a plaque engraved with a prophetic message: and so the adventure begins. And what an adventure it has been! As I was finding my footing in a new role,… Read More
Voices from the Field

Democratizing Family Philanthropy: Shifting Practice to Share Power

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Mohit Mookim, Rob Reich, Nadia Roumani, Ayushi Vig

“Nothing about us without us,” is commonly used by community activists when speaking about the changes they want to see in their communities. The idea is simple: those most affected by social problems—the intended beneficiaries of any program—should fully and meaningfully participate in decisions about programs, policies, and strategies that may directly impact their communities. Philanthropy is not something done… Read More
Network News

December 2020: News and Notes from NCFP’s Friends of the Family Network

Posted on December 14, 2020

Friends Focus highlights updates from members of our Friends of the Family network and their work. This month features updates from the Boston Foundation, Butler Family Foundation, Christopher Family Foundation, Nathan Cummings Foundation, McKnight Foundation, the Russell Family Foundation, Surdna Foundation, and Walton Family Foundation. Are you a current Friend or Leadership Circle member of NCFP with an update or good… Read More
Voices from the Field

Pandemic Philanthropy: Youth Giving Edition

Posted on December 7, 2020 by Emma, Gobioff Foundation

And so it began. Our youth board had Zoom calls nearly every month where we met each other, discussed what philanthropy is, made general plans, and eventually researched and sent out our first grants. Our members, ranging from ages 8-15, were spread across the country, making us Zoom experts even before the coronavirus hit. When Neil Gobioff and Gianna Rendina-Gobioff… Read More
Voices from the Field

Do Your Board Meetings Need a Makeover?

Posted on December 3, 2020 by Nancy Murphy, Ann Maddox Utterback

In this new series, Meeting Makeovers, board development expert and founder of CSR Communications, Nancy Murphy, highlights a different meeting challenge each quarter and offers a makeover solution. Read the second blog in the series here. This first installment, co-written with Ann Maddox Utterback, board chair of the JF Maddox Foundation, addresses the problem of “hand-me-down” meeting culture. Problem Area:… Read More
Effective Family Philanthropy in Action

Edgar Villanueva Speaks on Colonization, Wealth, and Next Steps for Philanthropy

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Nicholas A. Tedesco, Edgar Villanueva

About the Series Philanthropy is a practice borne out of compassion and commitment—and one that is deeply rooted in family. It’s also a practice that must continue to evolve to effectively meet the needs of the communities it seeks to serve. Thankfully, there are countless social sector leaders who are advancing the field with their bold ideas and unwavering enthusiasm… Read More
Voices from the Field

Invest in an Equitable Future

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Liz Sessler

As protests against systemic racism took place across nation in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, CapShift began to receive the same question from several families: “How can I use my philanthropic resources to advance racial justice?” It was, and continues to be, a crucial question. As we grapple with the challenges rooted in centuries of discrimination and exclusion that… Read More
Voices from the Field

Looking to 2021: How Funder Listening Can Help Us Rebuild

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Megan Campbell

This article was originally published by Feedback Labs and is re-posted here with permission. Read more about how funders can listen well on GrantCraft by Candid and as part of the Council on Foundations’ series about implementing the COVID-19 foundation pledge! As COVID-19 spread worldwide in early 2020, almost 800 leading philanthropists signed a pledge to act with ‘fierce urgency’ to support the people, communities… Read More

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