Strategic Lifespan Peer Network: Strengthening Nonprofits Through Capacity-Building Support—Lessons Learned from the Cedarmere Foundation’s Spenddown Journey

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Melanie Matthews, Kate Ritter Repen, Anne Marie Toccket, Priscilla Enriquez, Kathy Edwards

The trustees of the Cedarmere Foundation decided to spend down their endowment in order to invest in the capacity building of organizations and initiatives that sustain and strengthen the nonprofit sector in Washington State. Since then, the foundation has focused on: Investing in the development, support, and sustainability of nonprofit leadership Sharing what is learned with philanthropic partners and nonprofit… Read More

Strategic Lifespan Peer Network: Supporting Social Movements: How a Spend Down Foundation Can Make a More Impactful Difference

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Vanessa Silberman, Sharon Yazowski, Anne Marie Toccket, Priscilla Enriquez

What caused the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation to move from gifting six to eight percent of their total assets annually, to a decision to spend down its $150M in assets by 2041? What impact do they hope to make during that time? Join us for a conversation with Sharon Yazowski, CEO, and Vanessa Silberman, Executive Vice President on the… Read More

Strategic Lifespan Peer Network: What Spending Down Well Can Accomplish—Lessons Learned from the Pierce Family Foundation

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Denis Pierce, Laura Jansen, Anne Marie Toccket, Priscilla Enriquez

The Pierce Family Foundation sunsetted at the end of 2023. Why did they decide to spend down? How did they ensure they provided the most impactful support to nonprofits? Join us for a conversation with Laura Jansen, former Director of Programs and Operations at the Pierce Family Foundation, and Denis Pierce, President and Founder of the Foundation, who will share… Read More

Values in Action: Thinking Strategically About Your Family Philanthropy’s Lifespan

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Christine Zachai, Sharon Yazowski, Anne Marie Toccket, Whitney Feld

How does your organization’s lifespan align with your family philanthropy’s mission and purpose? This webinar will guide families through making intentional decisions about their philanthropic lifespan. During the session we will hear real-life examples and discuss: How to decide if or when to revisit conversations around lifespan, and who is involved in these conversations. How does your designated lifespan allow… Read More

Clarifying Your Purpose and Legacy Part One: NCFP’s Family Giving Lifecycle Curriculum

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Miki Akimoto, Nicholas A. Tedesco

Intentional philanthropy requires ongoing reflection and planning. This interactive webinar will give an overview of NCFP’s Family Giving Lifecycle and updated curriculum which provides families with practical tools and proven strategies to clarify their philanthropic mission, effectively transition leadership, ensure lasting impact, and preserve their philanthropic values. Then we’ll take a deep dive into the Succession & Legacy module and… Read More

Effective Family Philanthropy: The Kendeda Fund

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Ade Adeniji

The Kendeda Fund is Writing its Last Checks — and the Last Chapter of a 30-Year Story of Giving About 30 years ago, Diana Blank began to ramp up her philanthropy through what became known as the Kendeda Fund, drawing the name from her three children, Kenny, Dena and Danielle. Tapping into wealth derived from the Home Depot empire, which… Read More

Strategic Lifespan Peer Network: Insights from the Kendeda Fund

Posted on August 7, 2023 by David Brotherton, Dena Kimball, Anne Marie Toccket, Priscilla Enriquez, Glen Galaich

Every family foundation that has decided to sunset has a unique spend down journey. But every family foundation learns throughout that journey. The Kendeda Fund has committed to spending out the remainder of its assets and ending grantmaking operations by the end of 2023. Since their founder, Diana Blank, began her philanthropic journey nearly 30 years ago, Kendeda has worked… Read More