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The explosion of the use of philanthropic vehicles, coupled with massive intergenerational wealth transfer, means that affluent families are giving in more ways, both collectively and individually. Taking a deeper look, researchers found that as families evolve, they face common dilemmas regarding their philanthropy—most critically, the choices they make about balancing the individual philanthropic priorities of their members with a collective family philanthropic endeavor.

Through a survey and series of interviews with members of 20 U.S.-based, multi-generational family philanthropic systems, researchers found that as families evolve, they face common dilemmas regarding their philanthropy—most critically, the choices they make about balancing the individual philanthropic priorities of their members with a collective family philanthropic endeavor. The study’s standout finding was that the creation of a robust family philanthropy “system” was vital to providing outlets for families’ increasingly diverse philanthropic interests.

Because nearly 90% of all foundations are set up with the intent to exist in perpetuity, their success depends on their ability to prepare for and manage change. The challenge isn’t merely a transition, but also the internal stress of balancing the energy and engagement of new blood with the experience and traditions of its senior members. Based on over a decade of experience supporting over 2,000 foundations, this booklet provides pertinent discussion points for each of these common transitions and what to consider at each juncture.

Some families start a private foundation because they want to give back while others are seeking tax savings. Whatever the impetus, private foundations serve as a powerful and flexible philanthropic vehicle and offer tremendous advantages over giving as an individual donor.

Based on “The Stanford PACS Guide to Effective Philanthropy” and “The Philanthropy Toolkit: An Introduction to Giving Effectively,” this Schwab Charitable Giving Guide provides donors with a comprehensive resource to help maximize the impact of their philanthropic giving. By selecting one or more sections that align with your most immediate needs, you can tailor your experience by the topics that interest you.

Governance, a system for who will make decisions and how, is the guiding framework for your family philanthropy’s long-term success. There are many governance constructs that support an effective board, and different methods to engage family within each construct. But what are the common elements that contribute to an effective board across all governance constructs? In this webcast, learn the “nuts and bolts” of good governance. For more on this topic, watch the short video on strengthening governance and family dynamics.

The quest for nonprofit funding and ways to obtain it continues to evolve while donors want to know the impact of their funds. In this discussion, BPM’s Daniel Figueredo and Tami McInerney explore the tools commonly used by funders and when one of them might be appropriate for your given situation. They also review important accounting and tax implications of each of the funding mechanisms by diving into the following topics:

Beset by economic uncertainty and increasing demand for funding, grantmakers and family foundations find themselves at a pivotal moment as they adapt to a changing environment. With this breakout report, grantmakers will learn how their peers are approaching the challenges ahead of them, including mitigating the effects of inflation, addressing the talent crunch, and investing in technology to increase their agility and flexibility to further help the needs of their grantees.

During this two-part webinar presentation on private foundation succession planning, insights and planning tools are outlined and discussed to help the next generation of decision making. While there are different approaches to succession planning, knowing the donor intention is essential. Other planning elements and considerations include a mission statement, successor decisionmakers, checks and balances, spend-down division, and enhanced flexibility.