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In this Executive Summary of the Trends 2020 survey report, conducted by the National Center for Family Philanthropy, it shares the updated trends on the governance and management practices of U.S. family foundations, and includes new questions relevant to ongoing changes in the field including issues of equity, place-based giving, transparency, the role of the donor, and the question of spend down versus perpetuity.

In this Trends 2020 survey report, it focuses on the family foundation, the most common philanthropic vehicle for families seeking more structure, control, flexibility, next generation engagement, and visibility. The study reveals a shift in grantmaking strategies, an increasing use of impact investing, and a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What might your best stock holding, a piece of real estate, shares in a privately held company, interests in private equity, venture or hedge funds, fine art, collectibles, and bitcoin have in common? Whether you purchased them for love or investment purposes, they could be among the best items to give to your favorite charities to realize maximum tax benefits. Before you sell them, it's vital to understand how appreciated non-cash assets can be to a philanthropic wealth management strategy.

Every new leader faces challenges. But for those who are breaking barriers within nonprofits or family foundations, the challenges are even more pronounced. The new leaders must find their footing and navigate cultures that either overtly or subtly remind them that they are different, whether they are the first person of color, first woman, or first LGBTQ person to serve in a prominent role. The good news is there are now enough examples of trailblazing leaders to begin to see patterns, including key traits to take into leadership roles.

By fostering the idea of giving from a young age, children can learn the value and joy in helping, sharing, and giving to those who have less than them. Instilling the core ideals of philanthropy in your children's lives can also help them develop a sense of purpose and self. The key is to educate and give them something to emulate.

A trend from an earlier study on family foundations revealed that foundations based on a commitment to a particular region remain committed to the hometown over generations while sustaining both effective grantmaking and family involvement. As a follow-up to that finding, an in-depth study was conducted to provide insights on place-based giving. The study includes common challenges, opportunities, and strategies for place-based family philanthropy.

Demographic shifts are poised to bring about significant changes in the philanthropic market, and this evolution is being accelerated by the emergence of newer, more dynamic models for giving as Generation X and millennials take over the charitable giving from their parents and grandparents. With a new generation of philanthropists seeing themselves as social investors, non-profits must also redefine their philanthropic mission and strategies toward a “for-purpose” path.

Jeff Raikes, co-founder of the Raikes Foundation, and Fred Kaynor, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Schwab Charitable, discuss a strategy that can help donors increase their charitable impact. Jeff outlines three important tenets:

There is a passionate and growing effort among funders to focus less on change that is short-term or only at the project or program level; such funders are instead using models that reach across different sectors and approaches and dig deep into root causes, leading to more structural, systemic change. Aiming their efforts at more transformational progress on the challenges facing society today, family foundations and funders are moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A historic agreement was reached in 2015 when member states of the United Nations came together and signed “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” which included a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs charted a way forward to a just, secure, and sustainable future for people and the planet.