Milestone birthday celebrations are momentous occasions in all families. For many, this tradition carries over directly to the philanthropic programs they create. An increasing number of family foundations—and, in some cases, multi-generational donor advised funds—are using the occasion of a special anniversary to capture the founder’s and foundation’s legacy and to ground the foundation/fund and its future stewards in the history and values of the family. These celebrations may have the added benefits of inspiring the personal philanthropy and volunteer efforts of younger family members and other families, and of providing public attention and recognition of the work of your grantees and other nonprofits in your community. Despite their sometimes lengthy histories, family foundations evolve quickly—with new family members, staff, focus areas, and community circumstances—coming into the picture each year. With this in mind, there can be great value in “taking a moment” to remember why you do this and how you approach your giving, and to recognize the people and grantees that are critical to the foundation’s mission and objectives.

How do you decide what type of celebration is right for you?

There are at least two basic questions to consider before proceeding with plans for your celebration:

  • What is your primary goal of this celebration: is it primarily for your family, for your grantees, or for your community at large? Or is it for a combination of these audiences?
  • Do you plan to allocate a small budget for this celebration, or would you prefer to integrate activities associated with the celebration within your existing budget and programs?

Many foundations assign a committee to explore options for how to mark the occasion. These committees may include only board members or family members who do not currently serve on the board, or may also include staff or even trusted grantee partners. In some cases, separate sub-committees are assigned for different aspects of the celebration. Regardless, to ensure accountability and progress, be sure to assign one or at most two individuals to be the primary point person for each activity you choose.

Read the full article about celebrating milestones by NCFP.