Ask NCFP

Why is it Important to Have an Internal Mission That is Separate and Distinct from an External Mission?

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Julie Fisher Cummings, Linda Tracy, Doug Bitonti Stewart

This month we are delighted to feature a question recently asked in our May webinar, Balancing internal vs. external missions in family philanthropy. This in-depth conversation on successful strategies for thoughtfully defining, measuring, and tracking both internal and external missions in family foundation features Julie Fisher Cummings and Doug Bitonti Stewart from the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation and Linda Tracy from the Tracy Family Foundation… Read More
Voices from the Field

I Am Family Philanthropy: William Graustein

Posted on May 27, 2015 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Every day we see committed and generous families making positive impacts on the communities and issues they serve. We want to share their stories and are delighted to announce our new I Am Family Philanthropy video series. In this month's video, we are delighted to share the reflections of William Graustein of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund. … Read More
Voices from the Field

Giving to Nepal Earthquake Response? Take Three Long Breaths

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Karen Keating Ansara

With today’s news of the horrific Nepal earthquake I am driven to take immediate action — to make an on-line donation or wire money to friends of friends in the dust-choked streets of Kathmandu and green pinnacles of rural Nepal. I am consumed with the grief of my many Nepali friends who are like family to me. But my experience of the Haiti earthquake response via the Haiti Fund at the Boston Foundation has taught me one paramount lesson: TAKE A BREATH. Unless I am physically on the scene, I imagine my Nepali friends with their contemplative souls would agree. Take a breath and assess… Read More
Voices from the Field

Ready: Invest! Set: Customize! Go: Impact!

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Adam Simon

What would it take to create a core of exceptional leaders equipped with the tools and capacity to be effective change agents, networked to maximize the reverberation of their leadership and committed to doing so for their entire lives? At the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, this question is at the core of our mission to empower young people to make a positive impact in their communities. In all of our focus areas, we create and support initiatives that invest in strengthening the leadership potential of individuals, as we believe the key to solving our most intractable societal issues lies in the strength of the leaders that spearhead such changes. … Read More
From NCFP

So Many Differences, So Much in Common

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Virginia M. Esposito

Given all the varied grant interests, governing structures, giving vehicles, and staffing systems, you’d think the Committee and staff would be overwhelmed with options and focus. However, we are inspired, invigorated, and happily challenged to ensure the National Forum program delves into as many critical issues as possible, and all with a provocative, sophisticated, and satisfying approach. … Read More
Featured Article

For Youth by Youth: Family Philanthropy from a Youth Perspective

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Mike Tracy, Kylie Semel, Justin McAuliffe, Isabel Griffith

Over the past few weeks, NCFP has been delighted to conduct several very special webinars in partnership with Youth Philanthropy Connect featuring the voice and perspectives of youth philanthropists involved in their family’s foundation. Our first webinar, “Family foundations from a youth perspective,” was held on March 29, 2015 and featured a wide-ranging conversation with four young donors… Read More
Ask NCFP

How Does the Role of a Family Foundation Chair Differ from That of Other Non-Profit Entities?

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Virginia M. Esposito, Alice Buhl, Kelly Sweeney McShane

This month we are delighted to feature a question recently asked in our April webinar, The critical role of the board chair in family philanthropy. This wide-ranging conversation on the critical role of the board chair in family philanthropy featured international family foundation experts Virginia Esposito and Alice Buhl along with two experienced and thoughtful family foundation leaders… Read More
Voices from the Field

Fearless Philanthropy: Engaging in Conversations with Your Grantees

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Allison Fine

Social media takes down the barriers between people and institutions. Anyone can be online, anywhere, and in conversation in real-time about causes and issues. Rather than hide from these conversations, family philanthropies, not necessarily as institutions, but as individuals, can engage with grantees, and potential grantees, on, say, Twitter, and learn more about the work in real-time… Read More