There was a time not so long ago that nearly all philanthropists, as well as many others, carried a mechanical watch. Prior to cell phones, digital watches, and electrical quartz watches, the mechanical watch was a true marvel—a complex assembly of springs, gears, jewels, pins, and other components. Winding a watch transmits energy into a... Read More
Next generation philanthropy. No matter how you define the next generation, many foundations struggle to engage this subset into their philanthropy. “The most important thing is to treat young people as equals at the board table,” says Susan Price from the National Center for Family Philanthropy. “They don’t know everything the older generation knows, but... Read More
According to Fidelity Charitable, a private family foundation is “a type of private foundation set up by a family, funded with the family’s assets and often run by family members who can also participate in its charitable grantmaking.” Our annual Foundation Operations and Management Report (FOMR) gives insights into the grantmaking, operations, and management of... Read More
It’s often said that family and money don’t mix well. However, I would challenge the notion—I literally wrote the book, A Passion for Giving, on the topic, providing practical guidelines to leverage family wealth for impactful philanthropy. Giving is not just good for the world, but also integral to nurturing healthy family dynamics—and may even... Read More
Managing a private foundation with staff requires more than just focusing on its mission; it also demands careful attention to human resources. By addressing key HR questions, you can ensure your foundation is legally compliant, ethically sound, and a positive place to work. Below is a checklist to help guide your HR practices. Advisors and... Read More
To make the time you spend on proposal review even more focused and efficient, it’s essential to invest a little time in preparation. This article describes both how to prepare and how to use a prescreening process—two steps to help you focus time on the proposals that most interest your foundation and be efficient in... Read More