Navigating Family Philanthropy: Defining Your Philanthropic Purpose Guidebook

Family philanthropy can be transformative for both family members and the communities they serve, sometimes with an impact that lasts generations. However, achieving a positive, enduring impact requires purposeful decision making throughout the lifespan of the family’s philanthropic work. This guide contains worksheets that first help you, as an individual or couple, clarify or update your personal philanthropic purpose and plan. Next, there are tips to help your family draft or update a shared purpose and plan which you’ll document in the separate Family Road Map companion to the guide.

Together, these resources by the National Center for Family Philanthropy and Schwab Charitable will help donors involve their family members in a life of shared purpose and a plan for meaningful, effective philanthropy.