Elaine Gast Fawcett

Elaine Gast Fawcett

Contributing Editor, NCFP

Elaine Gast Fawcett is a philanthropy advisor, communications and grantmaking strategist, and storyteller with 20+ years serving multigenerational family foundations, nonprofits, and grantmaker associations. She is the published author of 12 field-respected books for grantmakers, and hundreds of articles, tools, case studies, and guides for family philanthropists, and a long-time contributing writer and editor for NCFP. Reach Elaine at PhilanthropyCommunications.com or LinkedIn.

 

Contributions

Voices from the Field

Explore the Origins of Family Wealth: Masto Foundation

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

Cover of the Passages Issue Brief, Bridging the Power Divide, with a person teaching a few others in a room
As a family funder, how can you acknowledge and responsibly navigate the power of your position? How does the power and privilege you hold affect those you interact with and support? How can you use your power for good—to make lasting impact? This Passages Issue Brief features stories, perspectives, and practical tips on power, and suggestions for how family funders can work… Read More
Voices from the Field

Unleash Community Leadership: Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund

Posted on November 1, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

Cover of the Passages Issue Brief, Bridging the Power Divide, with a person teaching a few others in a room
As a family funder, how can you acknowledge and responsibly navigate the power of your position? How does the power and privilege you hold affect those you interact with and support? How can you use your power for good—to make lasting impact? This Passages Issue Brief features stories, perspectives, and practical tips on power, and suggestions for how family funders can work… Read More
Voices from the Field

Family Funders, Go Where You Are Uncomfortable: NCFP Forum 2019 Recap

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

If there’s one theme that resonated most strongly throughout the 2019 National Forum on Family Philanthropy, it’s the importance of being willing to be uncomfortable. I’m not talking about the break-out room temperature, or how hard or soft the hotel pillows were, or even one of those jittery ‘not-your-best-networking’ moments. This is about a conscious act of choosing to be… Read More
Voices from the Field

Name, Claim, and Share Power: Perrin Family Foundation (Passages Issue Brief Excerpt)

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

Cover of the Passages Issue Brief, Bridging the Power Divide, with a person teaching a few others in a room
As a family funder, how can you acknowledge and responsibly navigate the power of your position? How does the power and privilege you hold affect those you interact with and support? How can you use your power for good—to make lasting impact? This Passages Issue Brief features stories, perspectives, and practical tips on power, and suggestions for how family funders… Read More
Voices from the Field

Passages: Bridging the Power Divide with Edgar Villanueva

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

Editor’s Note: The following is a conversation with Edgar Villanueva, author of Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance and board member of the Andrus Family Fund. It is an excerpt from the forthcoming Passages Issue Brief: Bridging the Power Divide that will address power dynamics in family philanthropy.   “One of the most critical conversations we… Read More
Voices from the Field

Transparency Case Study: Bush Foundation

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

What choices do family foundations and funds have when it comes to transparency? And what approaches do other families take when it comes to managing transparency, communications, and privacy? NCFP’s new guide, Transparency in Family Philanthropy: Opening to the Possibilities examines how family funders are thinking about transparency… Read More
Voices from the Field

Transparency Case Study: Barr Foundation

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

light graphics: microphoto of wrapped plastic foil in polarized light
What choices do family foundations and funds have when it comes to transparency? And what approaches do other families take when it comes to managing transparency, communications, and privacy? NCFP’s new guide, Transparency in Family Philanthropy: Opening to the Possibilities examines how family funders are thinking, acting—and, in some cases, not acting—when it comes to how open and accessible they are with others. … Read More
Uncategorized

Family Philanthropy Board Chairs: Leading with Joy and Effectiveness

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

Two white women sit at a table, looking off camera to illustrate the Passages issue brief on Board Chairs
Who typically serves as the board chair of a family foundation, and how does the board choose who will be placed in this essential role? What are the responsibilities of board chairs, and what skills, qualities, and aptitudes are likely to lead to better board dynamics and performance? What are the common challenges that board chairs face, and what tips do existing chairs for tackling these challenge? And how do board chairs and leadership staff work together to strengthen board and foundation performance?… Read More

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