Family Giving News | February 2024

Welcome to the February edition of Family Giving News.

Here we'll share the latest news, trends, and research in family philanthropy. Make sure to subscribe to be notified when a new edition is released.

The Latest on the Blog

Improving Philanthropic Practice by Prioritizing Reflection & Learning

NCFP Senior Director of Growth and Engagement Emerald Adeyemi, CAP?, CFRE interviewed Don Chen , president of the Surdna Foundation , about the importance of reflection and learning in pursuit of effective family philanthropy.?

Preparing for Bold Leadership

Drawing on lessons from speakers at NCFP's recent Leadership Retreat (including Carlos Saavedra, Carmen Rojas, PhD (she/her) , and Jamie Allison ) NCFP President and CEO Nick Tedesco shares the necessary ingredients for bold leadership that refrains from tinkering around the edges: leaders must reflect on the seasons of their leadership, reimagine the role of family philanthropy in making change, and redefine risk and progress.

Living Our Values Through Stakeholder Compensation

What does it look like to equitably compensate grantees and other partners and how can funders do it in a way that aligns with their values? Alexandria Featherston-Gomez and Shelley Trott of the Kenneth Rainin Foundation explored this question and shared their process for paying stakeholders.

Applications Open: Strengthening Democracy Learning & Action Cohort

Who: Family foundation trustees, board members, and senior staff.

What: An exploration of topics like representative democracy, voting rights, structural and institutional reform, community media and journalism, power building, and movement organizing. The cohort will equip participants with the tools to invest beyond election cycle funding and spur new, increased, and sustained giving to strengthen democracy.

When: Applications are due February 27, 2024. Program begins in April.

Facilitated by: Sayu Bhojwani, PhD & Jennifer N. Cho

Learn more & apply.

Recommended Reading & Resources

Planning for Legacy and Succession | Video

Legacy and succession planning are important aspects of an effective philanthropic effort.

They should not be left to chance.

Watch the legacy and succession planning video, below then dive deeper with the Succession & Legacy Primer on our website.

Four Things Philanthropy Should Do Differently This Black History Month—Article from Inside Philanthropy

Makeeba McCreary urges philanthropists to ask themselves critical questions this Black History Month: "What history do we need to learn? What harmful dynamics have we been upholding that we need to let go of? Which leaders do we need to reach to begin resetting the tone of our relationship starting in 2024?"?

How Donor-Advised Funds are Changing Philanthropy—Article from the Chronicle of Philanthropy

The Chronicle's Drew Lindsay explores the new ways that donor-advised funds are being used.

Upcoming Events

Cultural and Faith-Based Funding Approaches in Family Philanthropy | Hosted by The National Center for Family Philanthropy | February 13, 2024 | 2–3 pm?ET

Panelists will share practical strategies for aligning your family’s giving with your cultural and faith-based principles and in equitable ways that promote open dialogue. Whether you seek to honor your heritage, promote justice, and/or support causes close to your heart, this webinar will provide valuable guidance for harnessing the power of culture and faith in your family’s philanthropy.

Now What? Leveraging Federal Funds & Building Community Capacity for Climate Justice | Hosted by the Funders Network | February 12, 2024 | 2:30–4 pm ET

Collective Power: Using data in your equity journey | Hosted by Candid | March 12, 2024 | 2–3 pm ET

Generative Artificial Intelligence: What Is It and Its Impacts on Elections? Fireside Chat for Funders | Hosted by Funders' Committee For Civic Participation | February 26, 2024 | 2–3:15 pm ET

More From NCFP

Featured Content Collection—Participatory Grantmaking

Research, case studies, discussion guides, and other articles and blog posts on the practice of participatory grantmaking. View the collection here.

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