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

Inclusiveness and diversity statement

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Surdna Foundation

This statement on the value and importance of inclusiveness and diversity was developed by the Board of Directors for the Surdna Foundation: This policy includes, but is not limited to, the Foundation’s activities and practices in hiring, training, compensation, benefits, promotions, terminations, and business and community relations. Employees and candidates for employment with the Foundation are considered solely on the… 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

Discretionary Grants: Engaging Family… or Pandora’s Box?

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Susan Crites Price

If you asked at a gathering of family foundation folks whether using discretionary grants is a good idea, you’d never reach consensus. Many family foundations don’t use them. Those that do have widely varied policies governing how much money is available, who is eligible to make the grants, and whether the grants must be within the foundation’s mission and guidelines… Read More

Ethics in family philanthropy: Right vs. right decision-making

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Rushworth Kidder

Ethical issues affect every facet of a family’s philanthropy from its structure and mission to its investment, grantmaking strategies, and perhaps most importantly, governance structure. The role of ethics and values is so integral to how families define and carryout their missions, and the expectations for ethical behavior among philanthropists so high that it’s easy to become overwhelmed or stymied… Read More