The Family PhilanthroNews Round Up offers a quarterly snapshot of news stories, articles, events of note, and resources from across the philanthropic sector. Whether you take a quick skim of the material or a deep dive through each item we hope to help inform your work and inspire your thinking.
Beyond the Family: An Ecosystem Approach to Family Philanthropy
National Center for Family Philanthropy
The traditional power dynamics of family philanthropic organizations are tilted to the giving individual or family, at the expense of the communities being served. In this blog post, the author argues for an ecosystem approach. By mapping out and defining roles for the family, the community members, and staff, a more balanced and effective approach is possible.
Why Foundation Boards Should Have Term Limits
Putnam Consulting
Lifetime board appointments, even at family foundations, “risks stagnation, thwarts impact, and prevents accountability to evolving community needs,” argues Putnam-Walkerly. She outlines the top seven problems she has witnessed over 25 years of advising foundations. While she notes that term limits alone don’t guarantee an effective foundation board, she makes a case for avoiding these pitfalls.
The Foundation Data Dilemma: On Making and Measuring Change
Exponent Philanthropy
Foundations want to make sure their funding is making a ‘difference’ but struggle with how to measure the impact of their investments. Data is often used to measure community impact, but Trustees and Foundation Staff don’t always agree on what and how much data to request from grantees. This article introduces a different perspective and approach to data and reporting to level out the power dynamics between funders and grantees.
Application Processes and Effective Family Philanthropy: No easy answers
National Center for Family Philanthropy
Only about half of funders in the Foundation Directory Online database accept applications from nonprofit organizations. There are many reasons why some foundations have an open application process, and some are by invitation only. This article offers some questions to consider when you are designing your grant application process.
Reimagining the Program Officer Role
Trust Based Philanthropy Project
This two-page guide from the trust-based philanthropy project approaches the program officer role with trust-based norms of partnership, collaboration, and service. The guide includes a list of responsibilities, skills, and competencies that can help guide hiring decisions and explores how the program officer role can support trust-based philanthropy.
Key Insights from the 2024 Foundation Operations and Management Report
Exponent Philanthropy
Exponent Philanthropy’s new report offers organizational benchmarking and statistics for foundations with few or no staff. It covers the areas of equity and inclusion; catalytic leadership in philanthropy; staff, compensation, and benefits; board diversity; grantmaking; and investments.
What Grantees Want: Championing Your Partners and Their Work
Exponent Philanthropy
This article shares examples of practical strategies and approaches that family foundations can implement to champion grantees effectively, along with how fostering mutual respect, trust and collaboration can drive meaningful change.
Improving Philanthropic Practice by Prioritizing Reflection & Learning
National Center for Family Philanthropy
Despite the importance of reflection and learning, it often takes a backseat, even though it’s crucial for family foundations to grow and share power with those with more knowledge and lived experience. By integrating reflection and learning practices, family philanthropy can better understand community needs, assess their impact and adapt to enhance effectiveness.
Learning from Grantee Feedback: Policy, Process, and Cultural Changes That Make a Difference
Center for Effective Philanthropy
Discover how family foundations can use grantee feedback to improve grantee engagement and experience by shifting grantmaking policy, processes and culture. Additionally, program officers with high relationship ratings share eight takeaways to implement into your work.