I have accepted a new position at Reading Partners as an AmeriCorps Program Manager. My previous experience with AmeriCorps was an extremely influential time in my personal and professional life and I look forward to my new role in the organization. However, as I leave NCFP, there are some key things I want to share that I have learned about family foundations.

  1. Family foundations give billions annually. 31.68 billion in 2017 to be exact. This is both extremely generous and a huge responsibility.
  2. Perpetuity isn’t the only option for foundations. More families are choosing to spend out all of their resources because they see immediacy in the needs they want to address.
  3. Family funders are creative in how they give their resources and in what they support.  
  4. Family foundations have an opportunity and an advantage over other types of giving vehicles because they can be more nimble and “risky” with their giving.
  5. We are at a crossroads as a country, and family funders can play an important part in bridging divides. Our country seems to be more divided than ever, but there is hope that we can work together to create a better and more just world. Family funders can help unite communities and protect marginalized groups.

In my time at NCFP I have become more convicted about the importance of investing charitable resources wisely.

Read the full article about family foundations by Rachel Ogorek at the National Center for Family Philanthropy.