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Philanthropy is no longer just a box to check on the year-end planning list – over the last decade, strategic philanthropy has emerged as an invaluable tool for maximizing family engagement and creating targeted impact. This overlap of values and interests provides critical structure for families to come together to make targeted gifts. Panelists f...

There are many benefits to involving children in family philanthropy. One of them is the children’s realization of the positive impact their own participation has on the world (no matter how small); another is their excitement about making a difference. For the families who want to pass down the value of charitable giving to their children, there a...

For all the risks that tend to step up as you age, there are also far more opportunities to live life the way you want to, and probably longer and in reasonable health. What will help smooth the transition through the stages of aging will be a proactive approach to managing potential roadblocks on the way. As you begin this journey, the more aware ...

The United States is home to tens of thousands of family foundations that have and continue to make positive contributions to society. It’s also not uncommon for the foundations’ boards of directors to play a leading role. Reflecting on the philanthropic journey and the family engagement and ties at the heart of it, here are seven profiles that pre...

If you are a newer family foundation with one or two generations on the board, five generations may seem like a long time away. Yet in family philanthropy, quite a few foundations have been operating and thriving for 50, 75, even 100 years. What’s the secret of these family philanthropies that make it five generations, and across family branches? H...

As high-net-worth investors discuss plans for charitable giving and investing with their financial advisors, it is absolutely crucial for them to be on the same page in terms of the outcomes desired, both financially and philanthropically. For this reason, advisors and their clients need a set vocabulary of terms going into the first meeting. Only ...

When starting with family philanthropy, a family can choose a donor-advised fund or establish a private foundation. Each option has different requirements and management issues, including start-up costs, privacy matters, control of grants and assets, and flexibility in impact investing. Serving as a general guidance for you and your experienced adv...

One of the many challenges facing wealthy families in today’s fast-paced society is the need to meaningfully involve family members, including the rising generation, in the management of the family wealth enterprise. One way to engage the family is through philanthropic giving where families can derive great benefit from working together to define ...

Families often find it challenging to talk about long-term plans and wishes of their aging parents. But it’s never a good idea to wait until there’s a crisis to rally family members together on a plan that will address mom or dad’s needs and wishes regarding healthcare, living arrangements, and long-term financial care. Knowing how to get the conve...

Applying a broader parameter—one without a reference to age and with deference to each individual—the next generation philanthropists are people who see themselves as descendants rather than ancestors, who want to use their wealth to be of service to others. With the goal of inspiring next generation philanthropists to dream and consider new possib...

Professional staff is an essential element of an effective family philanthropy effort; however, it can be a difficult construct to navigate. In this webcast by the National Center for Family Philanthropy, learn how to hire and prepare your staff for success in family philanthropy. Download the transcript and presentation deck for your refer...

This Passages guide is part one of a two-part series on divorce and division in family philanthropy, featuring tips for what board and staff members can do to prepare and cope. This first part includes case studies on family foundations that have navigated divorce, questions to consider when developing board policies, and perspectives on ...

This Passages is part two of a two-part series on divorce and division in family philanthropy, featuring tips for what board and staff can do to plan ahead for potential change. The second part includes stories and advice from those who have been through, or advised, families as they divided their philanthropy. Learn more by reading part one, Br...

Many newly wealthy families can credit their expanded fortunes to a major liquidity event, most frequently the sale of a business. For many in this group, recently acquired wealth creates a host of new and, sometimes unexpected, challenges. While the challenges will vary from family to family, the members of this group share some common n...

For many individuals, philanthropy is one of the more gratifying parts of estate planning. Adding in a multigenerational component—one that involves the family’s needs, interests, assets, and goals—can make it even more meaningful and compelling. With the focus on the family and through open channels of communication, philanthropy can be an excelle...