Getting Started

Family Governance and Family Philanthropy: A Primer for Community Foundation Staff and Donor Families

Posted on May 2, 2017 by National Center for Family Philanthropy

Family governance is the framework in which a family manages its joint affairs. A family applies guiding principles to general policies and specific practices for carrying out the roles and responsibilities of their joint activities, such as family philanthropy. A growing number of families are using donor advised funds and supporting organizations at their local community foundation as a core… Read More

Family Ties: Multigenerational Family Foundation Board Engagement

Posted on April 1, 2017 by Center for Effective Philanthropy

A family throws their hands up in joy on the beach; the photo is taken from the back and with an unfocused lens
Based on interviews with CEOs and family board chairs at seven large, multigenerational family foundations, this publication spotlights the governance practices and structures that these family foundations have created to maintain family involvement; select, orient, and engage family members across generations; and keep the board and foundation focused on impact… Read More

Can we change our registered agent?

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Andras Kosaras

Our foundation is incorporated in the State of California, but the legal address is in the state of Colorado. We have an excellent relationship with our broker who is also located in California. Could we ask him to be our registered agent?… Read More

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

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