Operational and Strategic Approaches for Growing in Scale and Impact
Peer Learning for Family Philanthropy Leaders
The National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) are pleased to announce a multi-session Learning and Action Cohort for family philanthropies and individual donors who are significantly scaling up their philanthropy. Once a foundation or other form of philanthropy reaches a certain size, more robust practices and approaches are required in order to maximize impact. This program will support and guide families and professional staff as they adopt the necessary organizational changes to support an influx of assets with peer learning, hands-on workshops, consultation, and expert guidance from others who have successfully maneuvered similar transitions.
When faced with a liquidity event or a decision to dedicate considerably more existing resources to philanthropic endeavors, families often struggle with both strategic and operational concerns. How might the focus and priorities of the philanthropy change? What are the structures and processes needed to support an increase in activity? What are the implications for staff size and composition? How might the culture of the organization shift? Moreover, navigating family dynamics often becomes exponentially more challenging as the scale and complexity of giving increases.
This first-of-its-kind Learning and Action Cohort will provide tools, resources, models, expertise, and effective practices to revisit your philanthropic purpose, refine governance practices, expand social impact strategies, reflect on staffing and administrative considerations, and ensure a culture of renewal and assessment. Cohort members will benefit from advice and case studies from organizations that have successfully scaled as well as from peer coaching and learning alongside others on the same path. Finally, the program will empower and guide cohort members in developing and implementing growth plans that will set them up for near and long-term success. To ensure that the sessions address the specific needs of every participant, at least one member of each participating organization will be interviewed before the start of the program.
The sessions will be a mix of virtual and live encounters, beginning in May 2022 and concluding in October at the National Forum on Family Philanthropy in San Francisco. The virtual sessions will be two to three hours, and the live sessions will be full or half-day. Each organization will also benefit from a one-hour, individual consultation with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors during the program, as well as ongoing access to staff support at the National Center for Family Philanthropy.
Submit Your Application Here
This program has limited availability, so interested participants are encouraged to apply early. Applications open on February 1, 2022, and close on April 2022. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with preference given to NCFP Friends and current or past clients of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors; we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Each organization that is accepted will be allowed up to four participants, each of whom should be referenced on the application. We kindly request only one application per family or organization.
Learning Session Dates and Themes: May through October 2022
The details of each session will be customized based on pre-program interviews with the participating organizations. The program, which will include a variety of learning modalities from small group sessions, one-on-one counseling, workshops, self-reflection, and more, will follow the basic framework below.
All sessions are currently scheduled to take place from 12 to 3 pm (EST), unless otherwise indicated below.
- Wednesday, May 11th, 12 to 3 pm (EST): Session #1
- Tuesday, June 7th, 6 pm: Cohort Networking Dinner (optional)
- Wednesday, June 8th, 9 am to 4 pm (EST): Session #2 (IN PERSON – City TBD)
- Wednesday, July 20th, 12 to 3 pm (EST): Session #3
- Wednesday, September 14th, 12 to 3 pm (EST): Session #4
- Tuesday, October 18th, 2 pm to 5 pm (PST): Session #5 (IN PERSON – Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco)
- Tuesday, October 18th, 6 pm: Cohort Network and Wrap-up Dinner (optional)
Participants in the cohort are invited to attend the 2022 National Forum on Family Philanthropy which will take place from October 19-21 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.
Session Topics
Sessions are expected to cover the following topics:
Re-defining your Philanthropic Purpose and Commitment: Motivations, Values, Principles, & Priorities
- Review your organization’s mission, vision, values, and priorities;
- Begin to consider how each of these elements may shift as giving scales up.
Enhancing Governance and Navigating Family Dynamics
- Build tools for how to navigate family dynamics as giving increases;
- Review practical strategies for gauging and garnering agreement;
- Discuss approaches to leadership and governance, including the relationship between family and non-family board members;
- Considerations around next generation participation and leadership.
Staffing For Growth: Building Effective Operations and Management based on Your Philanthropy Framework
- Review different organizational archetypes and operational models;
- Address the questions of: how, when, and why to add professional staff to your organization;
- Discuss examples of how others have structured their budgets and operations to meet their mission.
Refining and Scaling Your Social Impact Strategies
- Evaluate your programs and refine your social impact strategy in the context of your foundation’s growth;
- Explore tools that your philanthropy uses;
- Determine whether and how you might change to ensure continued alignment with the family’s values and goals as giving scales up;
- Discuss practical approaches for scaling equitable grantmaking practices.
Planning for Action: Next Steps for Implementation and Defining Legacy
- In the context of your giving, analyze how legitimacy, accountability, and impact intertwine;
- Review your overall approach, with input from your peers;
- Rearticulate goals for impact;
- Craft a plan for assessment and renewal;
- Outline a plan for succession;
- Affirm next steps, including how to engage moving forward.
Cohort Fees and Benefits
Participation in the cohort is available to all family or family-adjacent philanthropies; no prior relationship to NCFP or RPA is required. The cost to participate in the cohort is $15,000 per organization. Participation fee includes:
- Participation for up to four people per organization, can include both family members and professional staff
- Access to all tools and techniques shared during the cohort, as well as NCFP and RPA resources, including RPA’s Philanthropy Framework Tool and NCFP’s Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy Webinars
- Facilitated small group sessions designed to create accountability and further peer learning
- Ongoing listserv/discussion group exclusive to members to support learnings and help foster action
- Consultation with RPA experts and access to NCFP staff technical support
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend?
This program is intended for donors, board members, and senior staff in a family philanthropy who are expecting, or recently experienced, a significant scale-up of the assets dedicated to philanthropy. Specifically, the workshop will be geared toward philanthropies with assets in the hundreds of millions of US dollars in order to address the unique operational and strategic considerations when giving larger amounts. While this program is open to all, current NCFP Friends and current and former clients of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors will receive priority registration.
Applicants will be accepted and notified on a first-come, first-served basis pending review of individual applications by NCFP and RPA staff. This initial cohort will be limited to 40 individuals, after which registrants will be placed on a wait list.
How do I register?
Registration requires first the completion of the application. Upon receipt of the application, NCFP and RPA will assess eligibility and address any questions you may have on your application.
Upon notification of acceptance, you will receive an email with instructions on how to register for the program, including payment of the registration fee.
The application will open on February 1 and remain open until the cohort slots are filled. Please note that applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with preference given to NCFP Friends and RPA current and former clients. Accordingly, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Applicants will be notified of their acceptance on a rolling basis, and will be contacted with seven days of submission.
What should I expect in the evaluation of my application?
Applications will be reviewed and approved based on several factors including:
- Ability to commit to an intensive, peer-based virtual (and in-person, pending public health guidance) program
- Appropriateness of the program based on levels of existing or planned giving
- Geographic, racial, and issue area diversity across the program
How many people from my family / organization can join?
One to four people per family or organization are able to participate based on one application. Participants can include family members, board members, or staff who have influence and leadership roles respective to operations, staff, and strategy.
May I apply as part of a group from my family/foundation?
Yes, as noted above, you are encouraged to apply and participate in this Learning and Action Cohort with additional family member(s), advisors, and/r senior staff members. Please complete one application form for all expected participants, and list all individuals that are expected to participate as part of your family/foundation group. Note: You are not required to list all individuals who will participate on your initial application.
How much does it cost to participate?
The fee for this program is $15,000 per participating organization, for up to four participants per organization, and will include all sessions, tools, resources, bespoke counseling, and peer support.
What if I can no longer attend the program? Is there a transfer policy for this event?
The deadline for cancellation refunds is May 1, 2022. After this date, no refunds can be issued. Cancellations from paying registrants are subject to a $250 processing fee. All cancellations MUST be submitted in writing and emailed to Michael Goodman at michael.goodman@ncfp.org. Individuals may be able to transfer their registration to another eligible attendee, in which case a cancellation fee will not apply. The substitution deadline is May 9, 2022.
