NCFP Blog

Voices from the Field

Walking the Talk: Striving for Authentic Partnership with Our Grantees

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Laura McCargar

In November, PFF Program Officer Laura McCargar joined Michael Moody of the Johnson Center for Family Philanthropy and NCFP Fellow and Board Member Katherine Lorenz of the George and Cynthia Mitchell Foundation at the Grantmakers for Effective Organizations conference in Houston, Texas to talk about collaboration in the context of family philanthropy… Read More
Voices from the Field

Five Essential Practices to Improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Your Family Foundation

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Audrey Haberman, Sindhu Knotz

Last October, we had the pleasure of hosting a conversation with a group of ten family foundations attending the National Forum on Family Philanthropy in Seattle. The session was focused on how foundation leaders can begin to address the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with your staff and trustees… 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
Voices from the Field

The 5 Dysfunctions of Philanthropy

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Kris Putnam-Walkerly

In 2002, Patrick Lencioni wrote a book called, "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team." It explains the interpersonal aspects of teambuilding in a professional setting and how they undermine success. Although Lencioni’s team is in a fictional company, his lessons also are entirely relevant to grantmakers. We're pleased to share this recent blog post from NCFP Content Partner Putnam Consulting Group on five common dysfunctions that can affect philanthropy generally - and family philanthropy specifically. … Read More
Ask NCFP

How can we prepare for the death of our founder or donor?

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Suzanne Hammer

In this month's edition of "Ask the Center," we are pleased to share a guest post from Suzanne Hammer, founder of Hammer and Associates, discussing the recent passing of her father: "In the midst of a loved one dying, there are many decisions to be made. There’s paperwork and Power of Attorneys and property. There’s money. There’s final wishes and figuring out what do with all the “stuff.” In my experience, the stress of it all sometimes divided us more than it brought us together. We all wanted the best for our dad, and we each had strong opinions on what “the best” meant to us." … Read More

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