Trust-based philanthropy practices

A guide to risk taking at NYSHealth

Posted on July 15, 2013

In April 2011, a group of staff from the NYSHealth Foundation met and considered the topic of risk taking in their grantmaking. This checklist was developed for staff to more systematically assess the potential level of risk when evaluating a proposal or project. To learn more about tht thinking behind this checklist, see the June 5, 2013 iarticle, “Nothing Ventured?… Read More

Share the Power

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Center for Effective Philanthropy

Funders alone cannot achieve the change we hope to see without the knowledge, expertise and muscle of our collective grantees—just as our grantees cannot implement without funders. We are in a symbiotic relationship, and we should be happy about that. We can work together to achieve our mutual goals, but to do so, we—the funders—need to share the power. When… Read More

No Cost Extension Policy

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Anonymous

Sample language for extending the time required to complete goals of a grant: A no cost extension formally authorizes you to take more time to complete the original purposes of your grant. Please contact your grant team if you would like to request a no cost extension. … Read More

Budget Modification Policy

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Anonymous

Sample policy for modifying a grants budget: We understand that changes in your grant budget may occur after your grant has been approved. You may modify the approved grant budget to reflect actual costs without the prior written consent of the foundation, so long as the modification falls under one the following categories: the change does not change any budget… Read More

Family Foundations May Advocate

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Alliance for Justice

Family foundations may participate in many forms of advocacy activities and may fund advocacy. Although family foundations do incur a prohibitive tax on any lobbying expenditure, lobbying is only one type of advocacy and there are many permissible advocacy avenues for private family foundations. This short paper from Alliance for Justice provides a quick and helpful overview of the rules… Read More

Measuring What Counts: Meaningful Evaluation for Family Foundations

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Anne Mackinnon

Family foundations are in business to make a difference. As one family foundation leader put it, creating a family foundation is a “powerful statement about wanting to achieve impact.” Yet family foundations often get painted unfairly as not having impact, perhaps because they aren’t always very good at understanding or describing the impact they have, even to themselves… Read More

We’re here to equip you with the tools you need to make a meaningful impact. Contact NCFP for support.

Get in Touch

Keep up with trends in family philanthropy. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Signup

Gain access to personalized support and a network of peers. Join our community!

Join Now