21st-Century Governance Part One: Participatory and Collaborative Operations and Strategies

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Joshua J. Knowles, Courtney Knoblock, Hannibal B. Johnson, David Weitnauer

Family philanthropies are increasingly recognizing the power of inclusive and collaborative approaches to maximize their operations and impact—and to ensure that their philanthropy will bring more value to family members, grantees, community members, and others. During this session we will hear from Hannibal B. Johnson, Courtney Knoblock, and Joshua J. Knowles about the development of The Commemoration Fund, a fund… Read More

Board Chair Peer Network: Connect with Your Peers

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Elizabeth Snowdon Bonner, Katherine Osborne Valdez

The role of the board chair as a philanthropic leader is ever-evolving, yet leadership is a resource that goes through cycles, or seasons. As leaders, we must learn to understand our own seasons, those of our organizations, and those of our partners. In this peer-led session, Network Co-Chairs Liz Bonner and Katherine Osborne Valdez will facilitate small group conversations continuing… Read More

Effective Family Philanthropy: The Compton Foundation

Posted on May 26, 2023 by Ade Adeniji

Here’s How a Longtime Family Foundation Fractured, and Shifted Gears for a Meaningful Final Act In 1894, Missouri native William H. Danforth founded what would become Ralston Purina Company as a balanced food production company for animals. The company revolutionized the feed business with the introduction of pelletized animal feeds. By the early 2000s, Ralston Purina had merged with Swiss… Read More

Family Legacy in Philanthropy: A Reparative Framework

Posted on May 24, 2023 by The Milliken Family, Will Cordery

Join us for an enriching discussion on family legacy in philanthropy, moderated by the social impact advisory firm, Freedom Futures. In this thought-provoking one-hour conversation, we will hear from a philanthropic family committed to redistributing a significant portion of their wealth as a form of reparations to cement their family legacy in repair. They will share their motivations and approaches… Read More

Effective Family Philanthropy: Roy and Patricia Disney Family Foundation

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Ade Adeniji

How Multiple Generations of the Disney Family Come Together to Fund Social Justice in LA and Beyond It all began at Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in October 1923. Here, bright young cartoonist Walt Disney and his older brother Roy O. Disney established the upstart studio in Hollywood, California. Walt arrived in Los Angeles from the Midwest after his previous effort,… Read More