NCFP Blog

Featured Article

It’s Time for Grantmakers to Embrace Failure

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Katherine Lorenz

Philanthropy often encourages grantees to take risks, to be innovative, to find new solutions to old problems. Indeed, many refer to philanthropy as “risk capital,” providing funding that can help society create innovative, new models for addressing the world’s most intractable social issues. But risk and innovation often bring an uncomfortable consequence: failure… Read More
Voices from the Field

What Funders Can Learn from Beyoncé

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Edgar Villanueva

Let’s start listening to (seeking first to understand) our grantees, before responding with answers and solutions. Let’s facilitate the solutions of a problem by asking questions such as, “What are the outcomes you/we want from this situation?” “What support do you need from me?” “How can you hold me, as the funder, accountable?”… Read More
Voices from the Field

In 10 Years: More Foundations Aim to Sunset

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Philanthropy Northwest

We’ve been hearing more in recent years about foundations opting to give away all their money by a set year instead of existing in perpetuity. In this blog Philanthropy Northwest speaks with Erin Kahn of Raikes Foundation and June Wilson of Quixote Foundation about the trend of private foundations opting to sunset rather than exist in perpetuity… Read More
Voices from the Field

From Syria to San Diego: The Lawrence Welk Family Foundation Junior Board Grants $10,000 to Refugee Resettlement

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Lisa Parker

A simple internet search for “Syrian refugees” yields millions of results— a testament to how much press coverage and national attention the impact of Syria’s civil war has received in the United States. Lisa Parker, the president of LWFF, saw it as an opportunity for herself and her family to learn about the experiences of refugees when they come to the US… Read More
From NCFP

Looking for the Helpers

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Virginia M. Esposito

My moments of reassurance come when a family funder tells me about a grant or project they’ve launched to restore and reinvigorate community. Often, these are efforts to ameliorate suffering but also to get at root circumstances and causes… Read More
Featured Article

Gratitude and Humility in Philanthropy; from a Story, to a Value, to Action

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Julie Fisher Cummings, Doug Bitonti Stewart

Authors and leaders throughout the field have published articles and tools (e.g. Grandparent Legacy Project) aimed to help families ask questions to elicit the core values of our founders. When we are able to connect our founders’ values to real-life stories, it can have a profound impact on our families and those we serve… 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