NCFP Blog

Ask NCFP

How Can We- and Why Should We- Use Facebook to Engage Family Members?

Posted on March 15, 2013 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

By Kelly Medinger Whether you are a Facebook neophyte or a self-proclaimed Facebookaholoic, there is no doubt that Facebook and other social media platforms have changed the landscape of why and how we communicate. So how does this landscape affect a private family foundation?  Especially when the family’s privacy is paramount? At the Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation,… Read More
From NCFP

The Spirit of Spring

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Virginia M. Esposito

Virginia Esposito, President, National Center for Family Philanthropy Happily, it is Spring. Those in the Northeast may be wondering about that but I assure you, it is coming to you too. There is something about the spirit of Spring that, for me, embodies the spirit of family philanthropy. It’s renewal. Without the promise of new vitality, of renewing the promise… Read More
Voices from the Field

Giving while living: Laura and John Arnold

Posted on February 15, 2013 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Editor’s Note: The National Center is delighted to partner in 2013 with the Bridgespan Group to feature videos from its Conversations with Remarkable Givers series. For our February edition in this series, we share Bridgespan’s interview with John and Laura Arnold, recently named to the Philanthropy 50 list of top donors of 2012 by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. To learn… Read More
Ask NCFP

What Questions Should We Ask Our Auditors?

Posted on February 15, 2013 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Once again everyone’s favorite time of year has arrived, audit time! For many, this can be viewed as a daunting and even arduous process.  A family foundation in NCFP’s network of Friends who no longer cringes at audit time shares this list of questions to ask your auditor to ensure your organization has a clean financial bill of health. Questions for the Auditors Did management limit… Read More
Voices from the Field

Next Gen Leaders Taking the Reins of Family Philanthropy

Posted on February 15, 2013 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Editor’s note: The new Next Gen Donors report features a variety of quotes and perspectives from next gen donors on the topics of values and legacy, strategic grantmaking, and collaborations and relationships. Here are a few of the highlights. Values and Legacy: Quotes from The Next Gen Donors Study Strategic Giving: Quotes from The Next Gen Donors Study   Collaboration… Read More
Voices from the Field

Giving while living: Eli Broad

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Susan Wolf Ditkoff

Editor’s Note: The National Center is delighted to partner in 2013 with the Bridgespan Group to feature videos from its Conversations with Remarkable Givers series. To launch this series, we share Bridgespan’s interview with Eli Broad on his entrepreneurial and “give now” approach to philanthropy, along with an introduction from Bridgespan Partner Susan Wolf Ditkoff on the goals and highlights… Read More
Ask NCFP

What Are Easy Ways to Involve My Children in Giving This Year?

Posted on January 15, 2013 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Editor’s Note: Many families anticipating a generational board change ask the National Center for Family Philanthropy how to involve the next generation in their giving as they are getting ready to ascend to the board. Many families have begun to ask about easy ways to involve their children in philanthropy while they are still young to create a “culture of giving.” The… Read More
From NCFP

Be the Architect of Change, Not the Victim

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Virginia M. Esposito

“Foundations change, like it or not. The fundamental issue is whether they will change by chance or for significant reasons. The latter comes about only through conscious effort.” – Frederick deWolfe Bolman Transitions in family philanthropy are those moments in the life-cycle of your philanthropy – prompted by family, foundation/fund, or community circumstances – that signal some significant shift. The… Read More
Ask NCFP

How Do I Know if I Have a Great Collaboration?

Posted on December 15, 2012 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

The National Center hosted a special webinar on the topic of “Avoiding Leaky Pipes: Enhancing Donor-Grantee Collaboration” this past October. On the webinar Susan Wolf Ditkoff, a partner in the Boston office of the Bridgespan Group,  provided a “litmus test” one can use to determine if you have an effective collaboration. The two major components one must address are shared goals… Read More
From NCFP

Celebrating Fifteen Years of Advancing Excellence in Family Philanthropy

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Virginia M. Esposito

What a privilege it is to begin the New Year celebrating the National Center for Family Philanthropy’s 15th Anniversary!  For the small, dedicated, and optimistic group that launched a center committed to advancing family philanthropy in 1997, what has been accomplished in our first 15 years exceeds even our wildest dreams. Even I (maybe the most optimistic of all) marvel… 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