Family Giving News | October 2024
National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP)
NCFP provides resources and peer learning opportunities to help philanthropic families to make meaningful change.
Welcome to the October 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
Our Minds are Holding Us Back: Solutions to Overcome Psychological Barriers to Moving Resources
"Much criticism is levied against philanthropy for not moving fast enough or being bold enough. Those criticisms are warranted. And yet, what we’ve uncovered is that the slow flow of resources and ineffective practices are not because donors do not want to move resources and move them well. In fact, behavioral science tells a different story," says Nick Tedesco . Read about the psychological barriers to giving and how donors can move beyond them to move capital more effectively.
How the Grunin Foundation’s Transparent Strategic Planning Process Led to Deeper Relationships with Community
The Grunin Foundation embarked on a strategic planning process to ensure its funding strategies were aligned with its capacity building work and equity framework. While they always funded in a relationships-focused way, they were surprised to find that putting more—though still minimal—processes in place helped strengthen their relationships with grantees and nonprofits in the community. Grunin Foundation Director of Communications Kelly F. outlines the foundation’s transparent planning process and its outcomes.
Using the Mirror Tool to Minimize Unconscious Bias in Grantmaking and Fund Leaders Closest to the Issues
Chicago Beyond dramatically shifted its grantmaking and, today, all of its multi-year grants are in support of BIPOC-led organizations with direct experience in the social issues they are working on. Here, Liz Dozier shares more about how the organization went about making this change and introduces Chicago Beyond ’s Mirror Tool, which other funders can use to identify and reduce bias in the ways they fund.
Apply to Be An NCFP Fellow
Applications for our next class of NCFP Fellows are due November 1. The Fellows Program is designed to accelerate the learning and development of family philanthropy leaders, and to add diverse voices and perspectives to the pursuit of effective philanthropic practices. The program serves as a mechanism to harness the talents of both the fellows and NCFP to further knowledge creation and promote thought leadership. With the work of its fellows, NCFP is better able to support philanthropic families to reach their full potential.
Recommended Reading & Resources
Overcoming Psychological Barriers to Giving | Report from NCFP
Even the most enthusiastic and driven donors often become overwhelmed and anxious, causing them to put off, stall, or curtail their giving, which in turn, hinders impact and strips the joy out of philanthropy.
In this report, we explore the behavioral science behind the ten most common barriers to giving—such as too many choices, fear of uncomfortable family dynamics, and lack of urgency—and provide effective and actionable ways for you to overcome those barriers.
Authors: Betsy Erickson , Piyush Tantia , and Nick Tedesco .
Recommended by LinkedIn
Indigenous-Led Civic Engagement: A Funder Guide for 2024 and Beyond | Guide from Third Plateau
A call to action for philanthropists, foundations, and funders committed to ensuring a fair and representative democracy, the guide serves as a starting point for those looking to expand their investment in essential Indigenous-led civic engagement efforts during the 2024 election and into the future.
Funding Rural Season Two | Podcast from the Roundhouse Foundation
The Roundhouse Foundation has released season two of the Funding Rural podcast with host Erin Borla . Tune in to hear from a diverse set of guests and be more informed about the possibilities and realities of funding in rural and Indigenous spaces.
Upcoming Events
Bridging the Gap: Grantee Perspectives on Intermediary Funders | Hosted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy October 15, 2024 | 1–2 pm ET
The Role of Private Philanthropy in Funding Climate Solutions | Hosted by Network of Engaged International Donors (NEID Global) | October 23, 2024 | 12–5 pm ET | Virtual conference
Values in Action: Thinking Strategically About Your Family Philanthropy’s Lifespan | Hosted by NCFP | November 12, 2024 | 2–3 pm ET (Speaker Anne Marie Toccket )
More from NCFP
Hiring? NCFP provides a no-cost job board to advertise roles related to family philanthropy. Learn more here.
We also share sample position descriptions for family philanthropy jobs in our Policy Central Content Collection.
Thank you for sharing our funders guide for Indigenous-Led Civic Engagement! CC Native Americans in Philanthropy