Blog

Data on Family Foundations from the 2024 Foundation Operations & Management Report

March 13, 2024 Hannah Smith / Benchmarking Data

Family foundations play a unique role in philanthropy, blending personal values with strategic giving. These foundations—often led and funded by family members—shape communities through their grantmaking and long-term commitments. Our annual Foundation Operations and Management Report (FOMR) offers a window into how these foundations operate, the challenges they face, and the impact they create. In the... Read More

Involving Non-Family Members in the Foundation

October 20, 2022 Foundation Source / Boards and Governance

There are big benefits when a family foundation invites one or more nonfamily members to its board. Nonfamily members can help the family make more objective grantmaking decisions. Similarly, family members tend to behave differently in the presence of nonfamily members. This can help shift family dynamics that may be getting in the way of... Read More

Synchronize Your Foundation

September 18, 2019 Clark McCain / Boards and Governance

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

Perpetuity or Spend Down: It’s Not a Binary Decision

June 20, 2019 Jeff Glebocki / Boards and Governance

Getting clear on your foundation’s lifespan is one of the most fundamental decisions your board will make. It affects virtually everything else you do. Think for a moment of the difference in, say, a 25-year lifespan or one of perpetuity when it comes to setting grantmaking priorities, managing investments, engaging the next generation, or running... Read More

The Best of Both Worlds: Using Private Foundations and Donor Advised Funds

March 7, 2019 cristianas / Administration, Boards and Governance, Grantmaking, Investments, Selecting a Giving Structure, Tax and Legal

This guide is for professional advisors whose clients want to formalize their charitable giving through a giving vehicle such as a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) or a private foundation. Experienced professional advisors know that helping clients find the best giving vehicle available for them creates a win-win situation. The clients will be happier with a vehicle that is a... Read More

Webinar Recording
Force for Good: Philanthropy and Family Business

December 6, 2018 Daniel Le / Boards and Governance, Family Philanthropy

Foundations can no longer rely on fixed income investments to generate strong returns with low risk. As returns on fixed income have declined, many foundations have taken on more risk (via equity investments) to fill the earnings gap. What if there is a way for your foundation to generate investment income without changing your risk... Read More

Blog

Data on Family Foundations from the 2024 Foundation Operations & Management Report

Involving Non-Family Members in the Foundation

Synchronize Your Foundation

Perpetuity or Spend Down: It’s Not a Binary Decision

The Best of Both Worlds: Using Private Foundations and Donor Advised Funds

Webinar Recording
Force for Good: Philanthropy and Family Business

Six Excise Taxes Every Private Foundation Needs to Know

Growing Catalytic Philanthropy Through Seed Grants Case Study

Catalytic Leadership Through Seed Grants: Lessons from the Howell Conservation Fund

Foundations on the Hill 2026