F. Javier Torres

July 8, 2019
Javier Torres serves as Program Director of the Thriving Cultures program overseeing a $9 million grantmaking portfolio seeking to advance the Surdna Foundation’s social justice mission. His career has been committed to building just and sustainable communities in partnership with artists and culture/tradition bearers. Prior to joining Surdna, Javier served as the Director of National Grantmaking at ArtPlace America. In Read More
Blog | Voices from the Field

Obstacles and Pathways to Greater Giving for Social Change

America’s philanthropic landscape is filled with many bright spots. In 2017, Americans gave away over $400 billion to charity for the first time. Giving has also reached historical highs amongst America’s wealthiest families. The most recent data show that households with $500 million or more in assets contributed around $45 billion to charity in 2017. Read More
Blog | Voices from the Field

Building the Family in Family Foundations Through Mentorship

June 25, 2019 | Julien Goulet
As Mark Twain alludes to and those who have raised kids know—at a certain age, kids will only listen to a trusted confidant such as a teacher, a scout leader, a coach… or a mentor! Mentorship has been proven to have positive long-term benefits such as increased academic performance, college attendance, and reduced drug and alcohol use. It also has been shown to increase confidence and help unleash a young person’s potential. Read More
Knowledge Center | Sample

Vision and Strategies for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Three-Year Plan in Service to Oregon (2016-2018)

June 21, 2019 | The Collins Foundation
The Collins Foundation commits to employing an equity lens in both our internal structures and how we engage externally with Oregon’s diverse communities as a funder and partner. Employing an equity lens means we welcome and encourage diversity, practice and promote inclusion, and pay attention to how we conduct our business both inside our walls and out in the community. Read More
Blog | Voices from the Field

Second Generation: The Daughters of an Early Microsoft Employee Explain Family Giving

June 14, 2019 | Inside Philanthropy
This is a philanthropic story, but it is also an immigrant story. Rao and Satya Remala grew up in India; Remala was raised in a small village. But through education, he empowered himself. “Our parents are very giving people. They recognize how they got to where they are, and are very humbled by that experience,” Srilakshmi explains. Read More

Natalie Ross

June 10, 2019
Natalie Ross is the Council’s Vice President for External Relations. Natalie’s team designs and implements programs that engage Council members, including communities of practice and thought leadership for community foundations, corporate grantmakers, and private foundations. Natalie also manages the Council’s membership department and personally leads the Council’s international program, which works to enable cross-border grantmaking globally and establishes key partnerships with Read More
Blog | Voices from the Field

The Effects of Family Culture on Family Foundations

June 10, 2019 | Council on Foundations
Yet it is exactly this—a characteristic way of thinking, feeling, judging, and acting—that defines a culture. In direct and subtle ways, children are molded by the family culture into which they are born. Growing up, their assumptions about what is right and wrong, good and bad, reflect the beliefs, values and traditions of the family culture. Most take for granted their family’s ways, and they carry into adulthood numerous attitudes and behaviors acquired in childhood. Read More