Here’s what we’re reading at National Center for Family Philanthropy:

Splendid Legacy 2: Creating and Re-creating Your Family Foundation edited by Virginia M. Esposito

This is the NCFP’s essential guide for donors and families seeking to establish a giving vehicle that creates a magical and impactful experience across generations. Filled with advice and resources from the field’s foremost experts in family philanthropy, Splendid Legacy 2 showcases examples and stories from donors and families who have lived the family philanthropic dream. It’s a must-own volume for any family looking to build a philanthropic legacy, as well as for advisors and others interested in understanding this special philanthropic vehicle.

The Social Profit Handbook by David Grant

This fabulous little book offers those who lead, govern, and support mission-driven organizations and businesses new ways to assess their impact in order to improve future work rather than merely judge past performance. The Handbook offers practical strategies for family foundation boards—from creating mission time to planning backwards to constructing qualitative assessment rubrics—to take assessment back into their own hands, and improve their work as a result. The author also offers his own “Foot-long Bookshelf” of additional reading for those interested in digging in further to some of the themes and strategies he shares.

Successful Generations Podcast hosted by Ellie Frey Zagel

We know we are cheating here a bit, but we wanted to give a shout out to NCFP Board Member Ellie Frey Zagel’s highly entertaining and illuminating (and free!) Successful Generations podcast. Zagel, who is also a third-generation vice chair of the Frey Foundation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, says that her podcast “covers all the taboo topics—family dynamics, money, obligation and so much more. We ask the questions that you’ve always wanted to ask, but couldn’t. All to help you be the best leader you can be.” As a special bonus, she often recommends good books and other resources she is reading on family enterprise – a great service for everyone!

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein

This concise and fascinating book tells the story of how explicit government policies at the local, state, and federal levels over the past led to segregation and long-standing and increasing racial inequities. The book is timely and required reading. From the summary: “At every step of the way, Rothstein demonstrates, the government and our courts upheld racist policies to maintain the separation of whites and blacks—leading to the powder keg that has defined Ferguson, Baltimore, Charleston, and Chicago. The Color of Law is not a tale of Red versus Blue states. It is sadly the story of America in all of its municipalities, large and small, liberal and reactionary.”

Generous Genes: Raising Caring Kids in a Digital Age by Susan Crites Price and Julianna Price

Generous Genes is a road map for parents, grandparents and others who want to teach kids--from 2 to 20--to live compassionately. Written by former NCFP Vice President Susan Price and her daughter Julianna, this indispensable guide provides practical advice, inspiring stories and a variety of other tips, resources, and activities to help adults encourage their kids to share their time, talent, treasure...and ties.