Transitions

Family philanthropy structures, leaders, and goals are constantly evolving, just like the families they represent. The change that comes over time is to be anticipated, managed, and, if possible, embraced as an opportunity for renewal. The inevitable changes and transitions that come to family giving programs are too often spoken of in negative terms. As relieved as we are to make it from one challenge to the next, change is not something to be simply weathered.

Leaders will leave, and new ones will emerge. Priorities will shift. Families will move. Stock values will rise and fall. It’s all to be expected. Change comes with the territory. How your family initiates, manages, and responds to that change will determine the course of your giving and reveal your true legacy.

Evolving Your Family Philanthropy: Family Engagement and Legacy

Posted on November 19, 2024

How does your family philanthropy define and cultivate a legacy? What is the desired impact of your giving and who do you hope will contribute to it? At what stage do you bring participants into the work—including the next generation—and engage them in a meaningful way? We’ll explore these questions and more, and hear case studies from family philanthropies navigating… Read More

Clarifying Your Purpose and Legacy Part One: NCFP’s Family Giving Lifecycle Curriculum

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Miki Akimoto, Nicholas A. Tedesco

Intentional philanthropy requires ongoing reflection and planning. This interactive webinar will give an overview of NCFP’s Family Giving Lifecycle and updated curriculum which provides families with practical tools and proven strategies to clarify their philanthropic mission, effectively transition leadership, ensure lasting impact, and preserve their philanthropic values. Then we’ll take a deep dive into the Succession & Legacy module and… Read More

Preparing for and Managing a Productive Board Chair Transition

Posted on December 7, 2022 by Sean Boyd, Pete Helsell, Sarah Walczyk, C’Ardiss “CC” Gardner Gleser

Board Chair Transition Family Philanthropy
A board chair transition is an important moment for a family philanthropy, often prompting larger decisions or a revisiting of the organization’s purpose and practices. All members of the board have a role to play in preparing for and managing these inevitable leadership shifts, and need clarity about the strategies that will prepare the organization—family, staff, and other stakeholders—for the… Read More

Scaling for Impact: The Needs of Growing Philanthropies

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Renee Karibi-Whyte, Greg Ratliff, Peter Laugharn, Katherine Lorenz

The process of scaling can be a pivotal moment—it offers an opportunity to revisit the past and reinvent what is possible for the future. What are the special challenges facing family philanthropies that are preparing for—or in the midst of—a significant scale up in philanthropic assets? As your philanthropy reaches a certain size, increasingly robust practices and approaches may be… Read More

Emerging Family Leaders in Philanthropy: Navigating Cross-Generational Relationships and Cultivating Personal Leadership

Posted on February 10, 2022 by Ashley Duchossois Joyce, Ellie Frey Zagel

It can be challenging to be a leader in a family philanthropy context, particularly as a member of the next generation. How can you share your skills, expertise, or experience to add value to your family’s work and gain the trust of other board members? Join Ashley Joyce and Ellie Frey Zagel for a discussion about building leadership within family… Read More

Scaling Your Philanthropy

Posted on January 31, 2022

Chalkboard with graph that is increasing
Operational and Strategic Approaches for Growing in Scale and Impact The process of scaling can be a pivotal moment—it offers an opportunity to revisit the past and reinvent what is possible for the future. What are the special challenges facing family philanthropies that are preparing for—or in the midst of—a significant scale up in philanthropic assets? As your philanthropy reaches… Read More

Mapping Change: Using a Theory of Change to Guide Planning and Evaluation

Posted on October 26, 2021 by GrantCraft

This brief guide explains why grantmakers use theories of change to guide their questioning, unearth assumptions that underlie their work, establish common language, and develop strong action plans. Contributors to the guide also describe how a theory of change sets the stage for evaluation by clarifying goals, strategies, and milestones… Read More

Legacy in Family Philanthropy: A Modern Framework

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Shira Saperstein, Janice Simsohn Shaw

Adult hand holding child's hand - legacy
Legacy is a fundamental consideration in the practice of effective family philanthropy, yet it remains one of the most ambiguous and often overlooked concepts in our field. Many families approach legacy with a retrospective lens—one that reflects on a philanthropic effort across a number of years or even generations. However, legacy is emergent and iterative. It ought to be considered… Read More

Family Foundation CEO Retreat

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Betsy Erickson, Janine Mason, Michael Smith, Tina Runyan, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Bari Katz, Rob Reich, Shaady Salehi, Carmen Rojas, Diana Scearce

The role of a family foundation CEO is unique, often bridging generations of family members, community leaders, staff, advisors, and partners. Expectations can be challenging to meet and boundaries are sometimes vague and ever-changing. Success in this role requires a cadre of specialized leadership skills, particularly in these divisive and dynamic times. This 3-day virtual retreat, designed for both new… Read More

Succession Planning and Family Transitions

Posted on December 8, 2020 by Peter Myers, Mary Sobecki, Mary Phillips

hand giving set of keys to another hand - succession, passing the baton, transition
Change is inevitable and can be especially complex in family philanthropy. There are a number of questions to explore to ensure the success of a collective giving effort. What are the anticipated moments of transition? What are the plans to navigate accordingly? Who is best suited—and prepared—to lead the family philanthropy effort moving forward? Is there a clear plan for… Read More

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