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A Date Certain: Lessons from Limited Life Foundations

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Center for Effective Philanthropy

Morning on the beach. Magical sunrise over sea
To learn more about limited life foundations’ decisions to spend down — and the ways in which they grapple with several important issues along their journey to pursuing their goals in a finite period of time — the Center for Effective Philanthropy conducted in-depth interviews with leaders of 11 limited life foundations. Resulting from these interviews, this report illustrates the ways in which limited life foundations approach spending down in nine key areas, including archiving knowledge… Read More

Case Study: Navigating a Community Foundation’s Roles Among a Family’s Professional Advisors

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Tony Macklin

The Star City Community Foundation has a potential opportunity to work with a generous family planning for a business transition. As is often the case, the information about the opportunity is incomplete. This special case study shares the story of the fictional Lincoln family, and explores the questions, considerations, and challenges facing the community foundation as it works with the… Read More

Things We Wish Our Founders Had Told Us: Interpreting Donor Legacy

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Susan Packard Orr

This special NCFP Distinguished Fellow Essay by Susan Packard Orr explores the questions that Susan and her fellow trustees wished they had asked of the founders when they were still alive. From the introduction: This year marks the 20th anniversary of our father’s death. Our mother has been gone almost 30 years. During this time, we have worked to build… Read More

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

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