“What is perhaps most impressive about family philanthropy,” according to David Malone, author of Institute for Philanthropy’s Tomorrow’s Donors project, “is its ability to create new generations of informed, engaged stakeholders, many of whom will become future catalysts for changes in the world.”
On the other hand, Malone writes, “Put simply, a family foundation cannot develop without new advocates, ready to carry the family mission into the future.”
But creating a sense of collective ownership and enthusiasm for the family foundation is not an easy, one-size-fits-all endeavor. Nurturing, sharing and engaging across generations are pivotal.
In the fall issue of Giving Forum, MCF’s quarterly publication, we interviewed several next-generation family members engaged in their family’s philanthropy. Here are some excerpts:
Noa Staryk, board member, The McKnight Foundation, a fourth-generation family member, shares the advice she would give first-generation founders of family philanthropies:
“I would ask that you write down or clearly communicate why you want your foundation to be a family philanthropy and why you want it (or don’t want it) to go on in perpetuity.
William McKnight did not dictate anything about The McKnight Foundation. In most ways, this is a huge gift. We have the opportunity to honor him and his legacy through our work, for example, in neuroscience, but we are not bound to do so. We can stay flexible and nimble around issues that are pressing in our time.
But, it would have been helpful if the family had some nuggets of advice from him about the foundation continuing in the family and existing in perpetuity. Maybe he intended for us to figure this out, but his insights could provide helpful guideposts.”
Julie Zelle, Marbrook Foundation chair, explains how her family’s foundation is supporting the philanthropic education of its younger family members:
“The Marbrook Foundation sets aside 15 percent of its giving each year for family-directed grants that can be given by each family member over age 21; currently there are 23 eligible family members across the country. With this money, we’re trying to keep non-Minnesotan family members engaged, as well as teach our younger adults how a foundation operates. We have deadlines, and if family members miss them, then they need to wait until the next grant cycle. They need to obtain a 501(c)(3) number from the nonprofit and write a brief letter describing why they’d like to support the organization. There is a certain level of professionalism and follow through that we expect, even if it is their aunt or cousin they’re working with to arrange a grant.”
Stewart Crosby, board member and past chair of The Carolyn Foundation, discusses how the foundation recently completed a six-year transition to a board that is now completely comprised of fourth-generation family members:
“Two factors were key: First, the younger generation, which is substantially larger than the previous generation, was willing and eager to work in the foundation. Equally important, the older generation was confident the younger generation could run the foundation and agreed to establish board term limits. Setting staggered term limits enabled the foundation to keep the experience of one generation on the board during the transition from senior to junior members.”
To read more perspectives by these and other next-generation family philanthropists, view the fall 2010 Giving Forum focusing on how families are deepening connections, building legacies and strengthening shared values through their giving.
– Chris Murakami Noonan, MCF communications associate
