Blog | From NCFP

Milestones in Family Giving: the Contagious Joy of Philanthropic Celebrations

June 15, 2012 | Virginia M. Esposito
Everyone loves a good celebration.  Families particularly mark the special moments in their lives with celebrations: an anniversary, graduation, wedding, or a birthday (especially those birthdays that end in the dreaded “0” – 30, 40, 50, and whatever numbers come after that!). While families may celebrate personal milestones, their approach to their philanthropic work may be more “nose to the Read More
Blog | Ask NCFP

We’re a Family: How Can We Be Diverse?

May 15, 2012 | Wendy Wehr
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on the Minnesota Council on Foundations’ Philanthropy Potluck Blog, and is used with MCOF’s permission. During discussions of diversity in philanthropy, family grantmakers sometimes get frustrated. Their thoughts may immediately turn to: “Our board members are family, how can we be diverse?” No matter your family’s DNA or your foundation’s charter, it is possible (and desirable) to Read More
Blog | Featured Article

Advocacy and Family Giving: Leveraging Limited Dollars to Maximize Impact

May 15, 2012 | Lisa Ranghelli
The Brindle Foundation in New Mexico is concerned with the well-being of children and youth, and funds in the areas of education, early childhood development, youth development and human services.  Brindle has assets of $14.2 million and annual giving of $579,000 (as of 2010). As the Board and staff of the foundation explored how to make the most difference with Read More
Blog | Featured Article

Finding Common Ground & Valuing Different Views

April 15, 2012 | Jason Born
Dealing with different views is challenging in any family. Beliefs, opinions, and practices can diverge in so many ways. Making collective decisions across generations and branches within family foundations – while taking into account differing politics and religions, different attitudes toward money, and varying comfort levels with how public to be about wealth and foundation gifts – often requires patience, Read More
Knowledge Center | Sample

Inclusiveness and diversity statement

April 15, 2012 | Surdna Foundation
This statement on the value and importance of inclusiveness and diversity was developed by the Board of Directors for the Surdna Foundation: This policy includes, but is not limited to, the Foundation’s activities and practices in hiring, training, compensation, benefits, promotions, terminations, and business and community relations. Employees and candidates for employment with the Foundation are considered solely on the Read More
Knowledge Center | Passages Issue Briefs

A Place at the Table: Non-Family Membership on the Family Foundation Board

March 17, 2012 | Dorna L. Allen, Joseph Foote
Family giving comes from a common cause, a shared vision, a particular need for giving back a portion of life’s gifts. Family members can focus on shared personal interests and can shape the architecture of their giving by expressing and validating shared family experience. Foundation board service can be the means by which family members find a new and worthwhile Read More
Blog | Ask NCFP

Who Takes the Lead?

March 15, 2012 | Alice Buhl
Our foundation’s board of directors is preparing to hire a new CEO to replace our retiring CEO, who has been with the family for nearly 20 years. As we talk with applicants, what are the most important topics we should discuss in terms of appropriate board and staff roles? In the transition between CEOs, Boards should discuss specific leadership roles Read More
Blog | Featured Article

Help Wanted: What’s So Special About the Family Foundation CEO?

February 15, 2012 | Susan Crites Price
Editor’s note: The following is excerpted from Help Wanted: The Complete Guide to Hiring a Family Foundation CEO. At some point in the life of most good-sized family foundations, the board will need to hire a chief executive officer. (For simplicity, CEO is used here to refer to the top paid staff person who may be called executive director, president, or Read More