Generations of Giving: Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations - Hardcover

Gersick, Kelin E.; Stone, Deanne; Grady, Katherine; Desjardins Michèle; Muson, Howard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0739109243 ISBN 13: 9780739109243

Publisher: Lexington Books, 2004

Synopsis

Using detailed and comprehensive analysis, Generations of Giving: Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations examines continuity and leadership over time within family foundations. Based upon a study of foundations in the United States and Canada that have survived through at least two generations, the authors ask probing questions, including: Why were the foundations started? What did they look like at the beginning? How did the families of the founders come to be involved? And how did they organize themselves to do their work from year to year, decade to decade? Although the foundations in the study are quite diverse in their goals and management, they have all had to confront and survive a common set of challenges. At the core of this volume is the study of two aspects of philanthropy: funding and volunteers_each essential to the survival of a foundation. This study is about the 'why' and the 'how' of these two crucial aspects. The authors give a truly unique perspective, which serves as a powerful tool for readers as they address the specific situations of their own foundations. A thorough and powerful work, Generations of Giving: Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations demands that we must not only appreciate philanthropy, but we must also increase our understanding so that we can do it better.A co-publication with the National Center for Family Philanthropy

About this title

Review:

Generations of Giving draws upon the real-life experiences of thirty families to provide new perspectives on how family foundations achieve sustained success across time and generations. It's a valuable and important resource for philanthropic families at all stages of their evolution.--Tara S. Rockefeller, chair, Rockefeller Family Philanthropy Committee

Generations of Giving combines years of sensitive research and analysis of family systems with the unique gestalt of the family foundation. The result is a comprehensive look at the various approaches to making a family foundation work, or as the case may be, not work. This book is a must-read for anyone who has a family foundation or is considering one. It will also be immensely valuable to advisors who counsel families on their philanthropic options.--H. Peter Karoff, founder and chairman, The Philanthropic Initiative, Inc.

Kelin Gersick has written the authoritative study on family foundations. Based on hundreds of in-depth interviews and case studies, Dr. Gersick and his team of researchers have identified the most important challenges facing family foundations and the fundamental practices that lead to their success. Dr. Gersick's magnificent book is clear, sensitive, and convincing. This is the book that family foundations must read.--John Davis, faculty chair, Families in Business Programs, Harvard Business School

Generations of Giving poses timely questions about how family foundations can survive and thrive as organizations. Based on rigorous research and thoughtful analysis, this valuable book presents important new knowledge about the experiences of families that have traveled the path of philanthropy across generations.--Melissa Berman, president, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

The author's strength lies in using his material to present practical solutions...including the use of professional non-family advisors and suggestions for planning the transition of leadership to the next generation. Such 'how to' elements are a core part of the book's appeal, enabling others to emulate the more positive case studies in which the foundations' work brings the family together 'like a rock' and frienships develop between philanthropic parents and siblings as they 'go on trips together, so site visits and learn together.'--Philanthropy Uk Newsletter

Synopsis:

Using detailed and comprehensive analysis, "Generations of Giving Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations" examines continuity and leadership over time within family foundations. Although the foundations in the study are quite diverse in their goals and management, they have all had to confront and survive a common set of challenges. At the core of this volume is the study of two aspects of philanthropy funding and volunteers each essential to the survival of a foundation. This study is about the why and the how of these two crucial aspects. It is co-published with the National Center for Family Philanthropy.

About this edition

• Publisher: Lexington Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0739109243
• ISBN 13: 9780739109243
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240