The success of family philanthropy is dependent on the willingness of the family to embrace an ecosystem of partners. In fact, the most effective philanthropic leaders recognize that the family operates in relationship to many others—most importantly community and staff members. Embracing an ecosystem approach to philanthropy, which focuses on building and respecting relationships to others in the system, is an essential element of creating lasting impact.

In family philanthropy, there is often a power and proximity gap between giving families, their staff members and partners, and the communities they seek to serve. Wealth creators and inheritors have long held decision-making power and authority over resources in family philanthropy. While families typically intend for community members to be the beneficiaries, historically many of those in the community have been excluded from actively designing or influencing approaches intended to benefit them. And family philanthropy staff members, who often have deep relationships and trust with community members, seldom have decision-making authority and autonomy to help bridge the gaps between the family and community members.

While many families can see the value in adopting an ecosystem approach, the grip of preexisting power dynamics and ingrained systemic traditions often make it difficult for them to translate their intention into action. The first step is to understand how giving must happen in relationship with others. Then, they can begin to explore ways to share and cede power within this system for it to function most effectively, namely with the people closest to the problems identifying the solutions.

Mapping the ecosystem

Family philanthropies are complex, interconnected systems. They commonly start with the vision of a single founder and grow to include additional family members, staff members, and possibly community members as the organization and its funded work evolves. Although each family philanthropy’s ecosystem is unique, it nonetheless consists of many parts that affect each other and the health and function of the organization as a whole. Each family philanthropy ecosystem exists within a larger ecosystem of other individuals, families, and philanthropic institutions who are committing time and resources to intersecting issues and efforts to address them.

A terrific example of a family philanthropy that uses an ecosystem approach in its work is the Bainum Family Foundation. In 1968, Stewart Bainum Sr. and Jane Bainum established the Bainum Family Foundation, spurred by the lasting impact of the poverty they and their families experienced during the Great Depression. They started the organization in Washington, DC to assist students of limited financial resources pursue post-secondary education. Over the years, the foundation has shifted its work in response to community needs, reflection, and learning.

“Our approach revolves around supporting key partners to create a society where all children thrive,” says Board Member Brooke Bainum. “There is tremendous power, expertise, and lived experience within every community. We seek to build on these strengths by working alongside communities experiencing racial and economic disparities to create lasting systems change for the well-being of children and families. We call this co-creation. We follow the lead of our partner communities and organizations, coming alongside them to make change happen together.”

Read the full article about family ecosystems by Nicholas A. Tedesco at the National Center for Family Philanthropy.