Voices from the Field

Our Favorite Foundation Board Meeting Traditions

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Prentice Zinn

Photo of an African American family sitting on a couch in a living room
Editor’s Note: This blog post originally appeared here from GMA Foundations. Traditions are an important ingredient of a healthy organizational culture.  Our favorite foundation meetings balance the often hurried and transactional work of governance with small traditions at each board meeting. Traditions create a dynamic flow of rhythm and predictability for meetings. They promote a sense of identity and connection. They reinforce and… Read More
Voices from the Field

Be the Architect of Your Family’s Story

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Hiba Seager, Jen Crino, Bill Leighty

Mothers day composition. Photo album, black-and-white picture. Studio shot on wooden background.
NCFP recently spoke with Bill Leighty about how he’s helped keep the Leighty Foundation’s memories alive by recording its history. While many foundations use external production companies, Bill created his family’s legacy videos himself—using his own technological know-how, video equipment, and dedication. His father, Ike Leighty, began the foundation in 1985 after a successful sales and manufacturing career. While the initial goal was to “do good,” the foundation’s mission evolved to address earth protection, education, and volunteer engagement. … Read More
From NCFP

Courage and Commitment: Our Personal Journeys for Racial Equity

Posted on April 2, 2019 by Mary Mountcastle, June L. Wilson, Kelly D. Nowlin

There's a blackboard with "are you ready?" written on it in white writing
As NCFP’s 2020 Class of Fellows, we’ve been sitting down and doing a lot of listening. Not the kind of listening you do at a plenary session or on a webinar. The kind of listening that requires some courage. Courage to be in spaces and conversations that are often uncharted waters and make us entirely uncomfortable. Welcome to three women’s journeys around racial equity in the field of family philanthropy… Read More
Network News

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

Posted on March 29, 2019 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

White daisies are in a green field with a bright blue sky behind them
Friends Focus highlights updates from members of our Friends of the Family network and their cutting edge work. This month features updates from Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation; Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation; Collins Foundation; William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund; Raikes Foundation; Rasmuson Foundation; Satterberg Foundation; Tracy Family Foundation; and the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers… Read More
Voices from the Field

Building an Economy for All: How Philanthropic Families Can Help

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Cyrus Kharas, Kate McAdams, Arabella Advisors

4 lightbulbs are standing against a blue background; one is lit up with a dollar sign in the middle
Providing equitable access to the capital entrepreneurs need to build their businesses is essential to creating a just society and to realizing our full economic potential. Unfortunately, a growing body of research shows that deeply embedded biases currently restrict access to capital for businesses led by women and people of color. Kate McAdams and Cyrus Kharas offer concrete steps for philanthropic families to correct this market failure through what the Arabella Advisors team describes as “inclusive investing.”… Read More
Uncategorized

Trends 2020: An Invitation from Ellie Frey Zagel

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Ellie Frey Zagel

A gold pen rests on a survey form, which has some X marks.
NCFP’s inaugural study on trends in family philanthropy, Trends 2015, was the first benchmark study of its kind, designed to collect timely and actionable information about the field at a national level. NCFP Board Member Ellie Frey Zegel invites you to be a part of Trends 2020, which will include questions relevant to ongoing changes in the field including issues of equity, place-based giving, transparency, the role of the donor, and the question of spend down versus perpetuity… Read More