Board decision-making

Trends 2020: Board Learning & Decision Making

Posted on November 19, 2020

This excerpt from NCFP’s Trends 2020 study shares data and analysis regarding various US family foundation giving trends, including board activity, foundations as learning institutions, development of new ideas, and much more. Family foundation board members must allocate time and identify ways to track and acquire the information they need to serve as effective fiduciaries for the organization. This section explores the… Read More

2020 Trustee Education Institute

Posted on December 22, 2019 by Christopher Fletcher, Jennifer Davis, Robin Snidow, Kathleen Simpson, Laura Collins, Paul Liu, Greg Ratliff, Tamara Larsen, Dana Lanza, Shaady Salehi

past TEI attendees
Attendees, please visit the event website for the most up-to-date agenda and Zoom links. The website passcode was emailed to all registrants. NCFP’s Trustee Education Institute provides a comprehensive introduction to important legal, investment, ethical, grantmaking, and family dynamics issues facing family foundation board members. Featuring a faculty made up of donors, board members, and highly respected philanthropy experts, this… Read More

All Peer Network Event: Putting the Fun Back Into Meetings – Navigating Challenges & Barriers

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Bobbi Hapgood

After our last discussion about infusing fun into meetings, it’s time to look at the barriers. We will cover barriers to all different types of meetings (in-person and virtual) and other family engagements. Do family dynamics and other sources of conflict make it difficult to have enjoyable meetings together? How do you diffuse conflict or navigate when people don’t want… Read More

Family Philanthropy Board Chairs: Leading with Joy and Effectiveness

Posted on May 14, 2019 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

Two white women sit at a table, looking off camera to illustrate the Passages issue brief on Board Chairs
A board chair is perhaps the most important and meaningful job in any family foundation. If you are currently chair—or anticipate that you will be someday—you may find it’s one of the most rewarding roles you will ever have. It’s also a role of great nuance, calling for keen facilitation, leadership, and a healthy dose of self-awareness—a combination that’s not always easy to find… Read More

Non-family Staff Peer Network: Board Chair Dynamics – Expectations, Evaluation, Collaborating, and Engaging Together

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Kelly Chopus, Elaine Gast Fawcett

Join the Non-family Staff Peer Network for a discussion on board chair dynamics and the potential challenges and successes in this role at a family foundation. Whether it be collaborating with other staff and family members, managing complicated expectations and engagements across an organization, or navigating your foundation’s journey, join us and learn from your peers who will ask thought-provoking… Read More

Pride of Place: Sustaining a Family’s Commitment to Community

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Virginia M. Esposito, Gilbert Miller, Kelly Chopus

What does it mean to have “pride of place”? How do giving families retain their commitment to the founding region or community where their philanthropic resources were first created? How can family foundations and funds accommodate increasingly disparate personal interests among those serving on the board while staying true to the original geographic focus of the donor family? These questions… Read More

Balancing Power Dynamics

Posted on February 14, 2019 by David Perrin, Farhad Ebrahimi, John Mullaney, Laura McCargar

How can you use your privilege to address the power imbalances that exist between funders and community partners? How can your board members build more honest and collaborative relationships, while also supporting other funders in building more authentic relationships with their grantees? This conversation will feature a variety of practical tips for bridging the power divide with your grantees, with… Read More

All Peer Network Event: Putting the Fun Back into Family Foundation Meetings

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Bobbi Hapgood

For this special All Peer Network event, join Bobbi Hapgood in a discussion about how to put the fun and meaningfulness back into family foundation work while keeping everyone effectively engaged. Come ready to discuss the balance between fun and completing board duties, how your family foundation facilitates enjoyable meetings, and which activities are most meaningful for building knowledge of the… Read More

We’re here to equip you with the tools you need to make a meaningful impact. Contact NCFP for support.

Get in Touch

Keep up with trends in family philanthropy. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Signup

Gain access to personalized support and a network of peers. Join our community!

Join Now