Client Stories

STRENGHTENING PHILANTHROPY

Moving Forward Together
A family foundation in New England had effectively made the transition from the founders' generation to the second generation of leadership, however the board was concerned about the apparent disengagement of one branch of the family. CHP&M worked with the board as it framed a set of strategic questions about the future of the foundation and about the family's expectations for involvement. A group of five board members conducted telephone interviews with each member of the family. CHP&M summarized the interview findings and worked with the board leaders to develop a retreat agenda that raised the tough issues: Did the family want to sustain the foundation and, if so, what level of engagement and involvement should be expected of family members? The retreat discussion surfaced the commitment of family members to the work of the foundation, as well as the reasons for low participation of some members. The discussion also resulted in the decisions to continue the work of the foundation, to provide opportunities for family members to participate at different levels of engagement, and to re-focus the foundation's giving primarily in the founder's home community.

Spanning Generations
This year CHP&M worked with a number of foundations that wanted to explore the family dynamics involved in the transition from one generation to the next. In one instance, the husband and wife, founders and managers of the foundation, were ready to retire and wanted to explore whether or not their children were interested in assuming leadership roles. At a retreat, CHP&M facilitated discussions about individual family members' interests and goals for the foundation. The result was a transition plan that reorganized the foundation and brought the children into leadership positions. A revised mission statement and strategic goals blended the children's and parents' interests.