A number of CPNS researchers are investigating the particular legal, ethical, governance and emotional needs of family foundations. The size, scope, board composition and grantmaking activities of family foundations vary widely, yet research shows a number of key questions and dilemmas are shared amongst family foundations. We have created this section of the CPNS website to share the resources, useful links and forthcoming seminars and publications on the topic.
*NEW*
Key Facts on Family Foundations (USA)
Page Index
CPNS Issues Paper
For a summary of the issues facing family foundations download the CPNS Issues Paper (PDF, 154kB)
Australian Family Foundations Forum - Monday 20th October 2003, Carlton Crest Hotel, Melbourne
This forum was for family foundation trustees and staff to share insights into the successful development and operation of family foundations. Speakers included representatives of family foundations along with leading financial advisors, representatives of the ATO and academic researchers. This forum provided a unique opportunity to examine the issues of common concern to family foundations.
Download presentations from the forum:John Emerson – Prescribed Private Funds, Overview (PowerPoint, 284kB)
Greg Besomo – Prescribed Private Funds (PowerPoint, 204kB)
Download the full program (PDF, 97kB).
Australian Community Foundations Seminar – 10 August 2004, Sydney
Community foundations have been described as the fastest growing form of philanthropy. The Development of Community Foundations in Australia: Recreating the American Dream by Dr Diana Leat, is a report focusing on the development of community foundations in Australia as one important example of the growth of community foundations world–wide. Influenced by the success of the US foundation model, community foundations, and organisations to support them, began to grow dramatically around the world during the mid/late 1990s. However, social, economic and legislative differences between countries have resulted in differing success and development rates outside the US. The ’American dream’ of community foundations has had some very positive functions in the growth of these foundations in Australia, but, if not fully understood, may have a damaging sting in its tail.
Download Dr Leat and Professor McGregor–Lowndes’ presentations:
Diana Leat – The Development of Community Foundations in Australia (PowerPoint, 45kB)
Myles McGregor–Lowndes – Ancillary Funds (PowerPoint, 74kB)
Prescribed Private Funds Seminar – 10 August 2004, Sydney
This seminar was devoted to the critical issues confronting professional advisors in establishing Prescribed Private Funds. A panel of experts outlined case studies of successful PPF strategies and the legal, accounting, audit, investment and property donation issues confronting professional advisors to donor clients.
Download presentations:
Brian Wilson, Clayton Utz (PowerPoint, 654kB)
Christopher Thorn, Goldman Sachs JBWere (PowerPoint, 52kB)
Greg Besomo, ATO (PowerPoint, 49kB)
Graham Reeve, Myer Family Office (PowerPoint, 948kB)
John Emerson, Freehills (PowerPoint, 288kB)
Australian Family Foundations Forum - 11 March 2005, Brisbane
Friday 11 March 2005 at QUT, Gardens Point Campus, Brisbane
Beginning the Philanthropic Journey
Continuing the Journey
Download program. (PDF, 141kB)
Download presentations:
- Coty Cortese - Getting the base of your foundation right (PowerPoint, 52kB)
- John Emerson - Legal issues in the beginning and continuing on the right track (PowerPoint, 283kB)
- David Ward - A trustees perspective on social and ethical issues (PowerPoint, 67kB)
- Reg Trevaskis - Social and ethical investment (PowerPoint, 163kB)
- John McLeod - Social and ethical investment (PowerPoint, 92kB)
- Myles McGregor-Lowndes - Grant style (PowerPoint, 475kB)
- Wendy Scaife & Kym Madden - Giving Australia project. (PowerPoint, 7,114kB)
- Jane Kenny - AFFF Summary of the day (PDF, 52kB)
Family Foundations Weekly Newsletter
In the lead up to the Australian Family Foundations Forum the CPNS produced a weekly newsletter raising news, views and issues of importance related to family foundations. This newsletter can be emailed directly to you if you join our email discussion list (see below).
CPNS Family Foundations Newsletter Vol 2, Issue 1 (Word, 215kB).
Plus attachments re SNAP: flyer (PDF, 132kB).
Volume 1
CPNS Family Foundations Newsletter Vol 1, Issue 1 (PDF, 52kB).
CPNS Family Foundations Newsletter Vol 1, Issue 2 (PDF, 69kB).
CPNS Family Foundations Newsletter Vol 1, Issue 3 (PDF, 54kB).
CPNS Family Foundations Newsletter Vol 1, Issue 4 (PDF, 63kB).
Family Foundations Resources
CPNS Research bibliography (Word, 30kB) : books, journal articles and other references on the topic of family philanthropy.
Bibliography on Foundations from the Nonprofit Sector Research Fund
Family Foundations Useful Links
Council on Foundations
Institute for Family Foundations
National Center for Family Philanthropy
The Foundation Center
Philanthropy Australia
Charities Aid Foundation (Australia)
Foundation Center releases (US)
- January 2007 - Key Facts on Family Foundations
- 2001: The Foundation Center released detailed breakdowns of 2001 foundation giving patterns in the ’Grant Stats’ area of ’FC Stats’ on their website. These free statistical tables are based on individual records of grants of $10,000 or more awarded by approximately 1,000 of the largest US private and community foundations. ’FC Stats’ features over 1,700 data tables and ranked lists representing the most requested types of summary financial data on foundations and their giving.
(You can also check our general ’useful links’ page for resources on all aspects of philanthropy, charity, volunteering and third sector issues.)
Email discussion list
You can keep up to date with developments in the area of family foundations by joining our email discussion lists. You can join the list when you register your interest with CPNS.
Foundations
(If you are associated with, or know of, a family foundation that is not on our list, please email us with the details.)
Australian family foundations
Besen Family Foundation
Harold Mitchell Foundation
The Myer Foundation
The Pratt Foundation
Reichstein Foundation Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation
Visy Cares
US family foundations:
There are approximately 20,000 family foundations in the United States. Here are just a few:
The Annenberg Foundation
The Helen Bader Foundation
Ruth M. Batson Educational Foundation
The Brown Foundation
Nathan Cummings Foundation
Ford Family Foundation
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
George Gund Foundation
Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
Hall Family Foundation
Harnisch Family Foundation
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Hudson-Webber Foundation
Jacobs Family Foundation
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
W. M. Keck Foundation
Marion I. And Henry J. Knott Foundation
Albert Kundstater Family Foundation
Barbara Lee Family Foundation
Leighty Foundation
Lilly Endowment
McCune Foundation
McKnight Foundation
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
David and Lucille Packard Foundation
William Penn Foundation
Pew Charitable Trusts
Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Scaife Family Foundation
Surdna Foundation
John Templeton Foundation
Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation
Harry and Jeanette Weinberg
Doll Family Foundation
Wayne and Gladys Valley Foundation
Wrather Family Foundation
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