NCFP Blog

Voices from the Field

It’s Cool to be Kind: How to Have Civil Conversations in Today’s World

Posted on November 22, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

Civil puzzle
Civil: relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns; courteous, polite —Merriam Webster In an increasingly divisive society—where politics seem to dominate public as well as private discourse—what would it be like to hold civil conversations in our own families and communities? And how might family foundations create space for people to come together and have these conversations? These were big… Read More
Voices from the Field

Build Authentic Relationships: The Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

Cover of the Passages Issue Brief, Bridging the Power Divide, with a person teaching a few others in a room
As a family funder, how can you acknowledge and responsibly navigate the power of your position? How does the power and privilege you hold affect those you interact with and support? How can you use your power for good—to make lasting impact? This Passages Issue Brief features stories, perspectives, and practical tips on power, and suggestions for how family funders can work… Read More
Voices from the Field

The Perrin Family Foundation: A Funder Journey Story

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Funders’ Collaborative on Youth Organizing in collaboration with the Perrin Family Foundation

A group of young children write on a whiteboard
The Perrin Family Foundation is a family foundation based in Connecticut, with a focus on supporting youth-led social change focused on addressing the root causes of injustice and inequity statewide Sheila and Charlie Perrin founded PFF in 1994 to create a permanent vehicle for their family philanthropy and allow their extended family to be part of their vision for providing… Read More
Voices from the Field

Ingredients for Grantee Collaboration Success: A Case Study

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Elizabeth Versten

Wordle - Collaboration related words
My board members often remark, “There are so many organizations addressing this issue, it’d be great if they could work together.” I serve as executive director of several foundations, one of which is anonymous, based in a family office outside Chicago. My foundations all support excellent nonprofits we wish would share expertise, if not officially collaborate. Through the years, we… Read More
Voices from the Field

Explore the Origins of Family Wealth: Masto Foundation

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

Cover of the Passages Issue Brief, Bridging the Power Divide, with a person teaching a few others in a room
As a family funder, how can you acknowledge and responsibly navigate the power of your position? How does the power and privilege you hold affect those you interact with and support? How can you use your power for good—to make lasting impact? This Passages Issue Brief features stories, perspectives, and practical tips on power, and suggestions for how family funders can work… Read More
Voices from the Field

How Technology Can Be the Bridge Between Generations

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Melissa Greiner

teaching a grandmother technology with a tablet
Like most family philanthropists, you’ve got succession planning on your mind. And for good reason. According to the Stanford Social Innovation Review, “In the next 20 years, an estimated $30 trillion will be inherited in the United States as the large and prosperous Baby Boomer generation passes its wealth on to the next generation. This is the largest wealth transfer… Read More
Voices from the Field

Unleash Community Leadership: Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund

Posted on November 1, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

Cover of the Passages Issue Brief, Bridging the Power Divide, with a person teaching a few others in a room
As a family funder, how can you acknowledge and responsibly navigate the power of your position? How does the power and privilege you hold affect those you interact with and support? How can you use your power for good—to make lasting impact? This Passages Issue Brief features stories, perspectives, and practical tips on power, and suggestions for how family funders can work… Read More
Network News

November 2019: News and Notes from NCFP’s Friends of the Family Network

Posted on October 31, 2019 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Colorful pumpkins and fresh beet in box on old wooden table with sackcloth
Friends Focus highlights updates from members of our Friends of the Family network and their cutting edge work. This month features updates from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation; McKnight Foundation; Perrin Family Foundation; Russell Family Foundation; and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Are you a current Friend or Leadership Circle member of NCFP with an update or good news about your… Read More
Voices from the Field

Funding the Heat

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Crystal Hayling

Editor’s Note: This post was originally written for the Libra Foundation’s blog and is posted with permission. Crystal Hayling, Executive Director of the Foundation, and Regan Pritzker, President, spoke about funding advocacy at our 2019 National Forum on Family Philanthropy. Check the highlights from the Forum on our blog. The prison abolitionist movement reacted with outrage to Ford Foundation President… Read More
Voices from the Field

Family Funders, Go Where You Are Uncomfortable: NCFP Forum 2019 Recap

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

If there’s one theme that resonated most strongly throughout the 2019 National Forum on Family Philanthropy, it’s the importance of being willing to be uncomfortable. I’m not talking about the break-out room temperature, or how hard or soft the hotel pillows were, or even one of those jittery ‘not-your-best-networking’ moments. This is about a conscious act of choosing to be… Read More

We’re here to equip you with the tools you need to make a meaningful impact. Contact NCFP for support.

Get in Touch

Keep up with trends in family philanthropy. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Signup

Gain access to personalized support and a network of peers. Join our community!

Join Now