Family philanthropy and community foundations

Community Foundation Spark Session: The Community Foundation’s Role Among a Family’s Professional Advisors

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Laura J. Brown, Rod Riggins, Timothy J. Belber, Tony Macklin

Most philanthropic families use multiple vehicles and a range of professional advisors to realize their mission and goals – including partnering with community foundations. How should a community foundation understand its role within that “team” of support? What are ways that community foundations add unique value and expertise in this mix? … Read More

Community Foundation Spending Policy Example

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Anonymous

We adopt an annual spending policy to preserve and build the permanent funds entrusted to us, and to maintain grant levels during periods of down markets. Endowment studies by the Council on Foundations and the Commonfund Institute demonstrate that prudent spending levels allow a fund to grow, while spending more than net returns after inflation reduces the fund’s purchasing power… Read More

Community Foundation Spark Session: Building Blocks for Community Foundations Starting Family Donor Relationships

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Jennifer Olson Curry, Laura Winter, Whitney Hosty, Tony Macklin

Community foundations of all sizes and experience levels increasingly respond to donor needs for deeper support in their multigenerational family philanthropy. Whether it is helping craft a family values statement, increasing involvement of adult children, or sharpening the family’s strategic focus, community foundation donor services teams are figuring out how to offer support in an effective way… Read More

Igniting the Spark: Dekko Family Foundation

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Youth Philanthropy Connect

The Dekko Family Foundation is located in Kendallville, Indiana. The idea for Youth Pods started in the 1990s, when a staff member went to a family philanthropy conference and learned about youth philanthropy initiatives. With no Dekko family members at the right age, the Dekko Foundation looked to the Michigan Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council model to develop youth philanthropy… Read More

Community Foundation Spark Session: Staffing Your Family Engagement Program – Considerations for Community Foundations

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Anita Wesley, Jennifer Touchet, Elizabeth Sullivan, Tony Macklin

Experience from community foundations that closely advise multigenerational family philanthropists tell us that this work is more an art than science. As community foundations become more donor- and community-driven, it necessitates different skills and abilities of its donor services teams and leaders. On this Spark Session, hear from your community foundation peers about different staffing structures, training, and individual characteristics… Read More

NCFP at the 2016 Advancement Network conference in New Orleans

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Jennifer Touchet, Robyn Schein, Tony Macklin

NCFP and its Community Foundations Family Philanthropy Network are hosting four sessions at the 2016 conference of the Advancement Network in New Orleans. Navigating Family Philanthropy Trends Monday 3:00-4:15 CDT Breakout Session You’ve developed a portfolio of donor-advised funds that will engage families in the future. But will those families’ expectations and goals be the same in 10 or 20… Read More