Building Civil Society Through Family Foundations:  Next Generation Contributions

2011 Center for Nonprofits, National Symposium
April 27 and 28, 2011

View video of presentations and slides/articles referenced by speakers.

View symposium photo gallery.

View complete symposium program.

Family foundations across the U.S. are in transition:  some integrating new generations of trustees and others working hard to engage family in the work of their organizations.  New leaders bring opportunities and challenges including questions families must address on granting, the impact of their work and how to address different values as they jointly work to continue their family philanthropic legacy.  

The University of Wisconsin Center for Nonprofits invited participants from across the country to engage in the discussion of “Building Civil Society Through Family Foundations:  Next Generation Contributions”.  Nationally acclaimed experts in the field convened on the University of Wisconsin campus to explore the current state of family foundations particularly as it relates to engaging, integrating and supporting the next generation of family foundation leaders.

Co-Chairs: Julie Bender Silver and David Silver, The Bender Foundation, Inc., Washington, DC

Key Note Sessions:  The Role / Value / Force of Family Foundations

• Steve Gunderson, President and CEO, Council on Foundations:  “The State of Family Foundations – The Critical Component of the Next Generation Contributions”
• Virginia M. Esposito, President, National Center for Family Philanthropy on “The Value of Family Philanthropy.  For The Family?  For Democracy?” 
• Jason Franklin, Executive Director of Bolder Giving, NYC "Giving While Living and Giving Big: Implications for Our Future"

Preparing the Next Generation of Family Foundation Leaders

Panel Discussants:

• Mary Galeti, Vice-Chair of the Tecovas Foundation (serving Cleveland and Columbus Ohio and Amarillo, Texas). 
• Peter Frankel, President, Frankel Family Foundation, Chicago. 
• Jena Belinkie, Junior Board member of the Bender Foundation, Inc.

Breakout Presenters :

• Mollie Bunis, Advisor, Strategic Philanthropy, Chicago.  “Connecting for Impact:  Engaging Multiple Generations in Family Foundation Work”

• Ellen Taylor Powell, Ph.D.   “How Do You Measure Changing the World? Evaluating the Impact of Family Foundation Philanthropic Efforts”

• Virginia Esposito, National Center on Family Philanthropy, Washington DC – –“ Successful Succession:  Strategies for Involving the Next Generation”

• Richard Ruvelson, Tax Director,  Wipfli, LLP, Minneapolis, MN   “Tax Fundamentals for the Family Foundation:  Concerns and Opportunities”

• Adam Wiensch, Attorney, Foley and Lardner  --  “Engaging Your Children and Protecting Your Legacy: Legal Aspects of Next Generation Involvement in Family Foundations"
• Christopher Didier, CFA, Managing Director, Robert W. Baird & Co, Milwaukee, "Get on the Bus: Spending Policy, Investment Strategy and the Next Generation, but, let Mission Drive!"

Location: The first day and evening was held at the new Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery in the heart of the University of Wisconsin. The second day was held at the Fluno Center for Executive Education.

Questions?

If you have questions regarding the symposium, please contact UW Center for Nonprofits Executive Director Jeanan Yasiri, yasiri@wisc.edu