Navigating Family Philanthropy—Video Series

While every philanthropic journey is unique, there are points at which all families must make decisions. This series of seven short videos offers a comprehensive introduction and refresher to critical concepts to consider at each stage of your family philanthropy—from philanthropic purpose and selecting giving vehicles, to operations, succession, and legacy. Additional resources and insights are provided on each topic to further help you navigate your philanthropic giving and strengthen your family engagement. 

1. Defining Your Philanthropy Purpose. Why do you and your family want to give? Your answers will illuminate your identity, passion, and desired legacy—and uncover your shared philanthropy purpose. See also Understanding Your Philanthropic Purpose, Motivations, and Values.
2. Choosing Your Philanthropic Vehicles. Philanthropy takes many forms. The selection of a social impact vehicle is an important consideration in the pursuit of effective philanthropy. See also the Family Giving Primer: Impact Vehicles and Structures.
3. Strengthening Governance and Family Dynamics. Governance, a system for who will make decisions and how, is the means by which you and others—your family or non-family stakeholders—can strive together to achieve long-term philanthropic success. See also The Essentials of Good Governance: Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy.
4. Choosing Your Social Impact Strategies. At its core, grantmaking brings your objectives to life to create good for others. Your philanthropic strategy is the roadmap to achieve your desired social impact. See also the Family Giving Primer: Impact Strategies and Tools.
5. Assessment & Learning. Effective philanthropy is a process of continual learning. A structured learning agenda and assessment plan will strengthen your philanthropic purpose, strategy, impact, and family engagement. See also the Family Giving Primer: Assessment and Learning, Identifying Methods to Measure Success.
6. Operations & Management. From tracking budgets and expenses, hiring and exploring investment opportunities to bookkeeping and working with advisors, philanthropy requires varying levels of administration. See also the Family Giving Primer: Operations and Management.
7. Planning for Legacy and Succession. It is helpful to consider legacy and succession early in the lifecycle of your philanthropy, with an understanding that your views will no doubt evolve over time. What is the significance of your philanthropy? See also the Legacy in Family Philanthropy: A Modern Framework Workbook.