Voices from the Field

Why We Must Stand Up for Overhead

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Katherine Lorenz

It is critical that donors invest in the long-term health and sustainability of the institutions we are asking to tackle the world’s most entrenched social problems. Starving organizations of strong strategic plans or essential technology—often viewed as overhead and therefore superfluous—actually prevents their ability to use the limited resources they do have most effectively… Read More
Voices from the Field

I Am Family Philanthropy: Katherine Lorenz

Posted on February 2, 2016 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Katherine Lorenz, President of the The Cynthia & George Mitchell Family Foundation and NCFP Fellow and board member, reflects on how philanthropy has brought together multiple generations of her family. Katherine shares how the Cook's Branch Conservancy in Piney Woods, TX promotes local and regional conservation ethics and demonstrates the resilience of nature in perpetuity… Read More
Voices from the Field

Can General Operating Support Become the New Normal?

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Jen Teunon

If every funder only pays for a specific program or a specific line item, an organization becomes fragmented and unstable. Without general operating support, an organization doesn’t have the money for staffing, rent, technology, training, or even the phone bill. And, without a strong infrastructure, programs that improve our communities can’t happen. … Read More
Featured Article

Can’t Not Do: The Social Drive That Changes the World

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Paul Shoemaker

I can’t not do this. It’s not that I can do this, it’s that I can’t not. I don’t have time to not make an impact. I could not imagine not..." I don’t remember the first time I heard someone use one of these grammatically incorrect phrases. But I hear these statements consistently, to this day, from educated and literate people. I know you have heard of “can-do” people, they are eager and willing, we admire them and hope our children become like them when they grow up. But the regular heroes you will meet in this book go way beyond can-do, they can’t not do. … Read More
Voices from the Field

I Am Family Philanthropy: William Graustein

Posted on May 27, 2015 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Every day we see committed and generous families making positive impacts on the communities and issues they serve. We want to share their stories and are delighted to announce our new I Am Family Philanthropy video series. In this month's video, we are delighted to share the reflections of William Graustein of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund. … Read More
Voices from the Field

I Am Family Philanthropy: Carmen Castellano and Carmela Castellano-Garcia

Posted on February 25, 2015 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Every day we see committed and generous families making positive impacts on the communities they serve. We want to share their stories and are delighted to announce our new I Am Family Philanthropy video series. In this month's video, we are delighted to share the dynamic mother-and-daughter tandem of Carmen Castellano and Carmela Castellano-Garcia of the Castellano Family Foundation. … Read More