Diversity and inclusion

Advisory board member roles and responsibilities

Posted on December 8, 2014

The Sample Family Foundation’s Declaration of Trust designates two groups of participants: (1) “Trustees,” all of whom are currently family members and who vote on grants and issues of governance; and (2) “Advisors” who serve in an advisory capacity without voting power. Advisors are appointed to three-year terms that may be renewed until the Advisor reaches the age of seventy-five… Read More

Diversity, inclusion and effective philanthropy

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

Part of the Philanthropy Roadmap series, this guide aims to explain how diversity and inclusion can be used as practical considerations for getting better results. Diversity is the practice of including a full range of perspectives, ideas and experience in philanthropic decision-making. Inclusion seeks the participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds in the process… Read More

What is the appropriate role for non-family trustees and how are they selected? Should they be treated any differently from family trustees?

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Michael Rion

Non-family trustee positions should be clearly defined, regarding both criteria for filling the position and the length, renewability, etc., of terms. Although nothing prevents trustees from simply appointing their closest friends and advisors without regard to other criteria, ethical responsibility considerations would suggest some more objective criteria related to the mission and purpose of the foundation and the rationale for… Read More

Should we have non-family trustees?

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Michael Rion

There is no legal obligation to include non-family members as trustees. Experience in the field is widely varied. Many foundations include only family members who are blood relatives, and others include family members by marriage. Many others will have one “outside” trustee, typically an old family friend and/or someone with legal or accounting experience. Still others include as a matter… Read More

Can young people (under the age of 18) legally serve on our board?

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Youth on Board

“Three states have laws supporting youth board involvement – Michigan, Minnesota, and New York.  Forty states have laws that are silent on youth board involvement, meaning that the laws say nothing explicitly regulating or prohibiting involvement based on age.  Seven states prohibit youth board involvement – Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Utah.  Members of boards must be… Read More

Notes on an Effective Family Culture: The Roy A. Hunt Foundation

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Terry Hunt

This set of tips from the Board of the Roy A. Hunt Foundation was shared as a handout on NCFP’s January 2012 Teleconference, “Finding Common Ground, Valuing Different Views.” It is a useful set of tips for any family seeking to create a culture that respects differences of opinion and diverse political views… Read More

Diverse Voices in Family Giving

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Deborah Santana, Judy Belk, Vic De Luca

What are the emerging trends in this area, and how can existing family philanthropies network with and promote increased and effective giving among a new generation of diverse donors and families? How can diverse donors learn from multi-generational family foundations, and vice versa? And how does the engagement of diverse voices enhance the field of family philanthropy, and the work of locally and regionally-focused family foundations and funds?… Read More

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

Posted on March 17, 2012 by 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

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