Voices from the Field

Arriving at 100 Percent for Mission. Now What?

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Clara Miller

A hand holds up a pen that says "where to invest?"
The Heron Foundation, which seeks to help communities out of poverty, has used innovative financial techniques to reach their goal of 100% of their endowment towards mission. What's next? We always knew that “getting to 100 percent,” would be like reaching a false summit. We would like to share some lessons we learned on the path to our “100 percent” goal, as well as our thoughts on the significance of those lessons and our own plans for the future… Read More
Voices from the Field

Our Favorite Foundation Board Meeting Traditions

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Prentice Zinn

Photo of an African American family sitting on a couch in a living room
Editor’s Note: This blog post originally appeared here from GMA Foundations. Traditions are an important ingredient of a healthy organizational culture.  Our favorite foundation meetings balance the often hurried and transactional work of governance with small traditions at each board meeting. Traditions create a dynamic flow of rhythm and predictability for meetings. They promote a sense of identity and connection. They reinforce and… Read More
Voices from the Field

Be the Architect of Your Family’s Story

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Hiba Seager, Jen Crino, Bill Leighty

Mothers day composition. Photo album, black-and-white picture. Studio shot on wooden background.
NCFP recently spoke with Bill Leighty about how he’s helped keep the Leighty Foundation’s memories alive by recording its history. While many foundations use external production companies, Bill created his family’s legacy videos himself—using his own technological know-how, video equipment, and dedication. His father, Ike Leighty, began the foundation in 1985 after a successful sales and manufacturing career. While the initial goal was to “do good,” the foundation’s mission evolved to address earth protection, education, and volunteer engagement. … Read More
From NCFP

Courage and Commitment: Our Personal Journeys for Racial Equity

Posted on April 2, 2019 by Mary Mountcastle, June L. Wilson, Kelly D. Nowlin

There's a blackboard with "are you ready?" written on it in white writing
As NCFP’s 2020 Class of Fellows, we’ve been sitting down and doing a lot of listening. Not the kind of listening you do at a plenary session or on a webinar. The kind of listening that requires some courage. Courage to be in spaces and conversations that are often uncharted waters and make us entirely uncomfortable. Welcome to three women’s journeys around racial equity in the field of family philanthropy… Read More
Network News

April 2019: News and Notes from NCFP’s Friends of the Family Network

Posted on March 29, 2019 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

White daisies are in a green field with a bright blue sky behind them
Friends Focus highlights updates from members of our Friends of the Family network and their cutting edge work. This month features updates from Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation; Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation; Collins Foundation; William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund; Raikes Foundation; Rasmuson Foundation; Satterberg Foundation; Tracy Family Foundation; and the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers… Read More