New Research: Balancing Collective and Individual Interests in Family Philanthropy

The families that most successfully perpetuated a collective family foundation over generations established different vehicles for different purposes and had firm boundaries around those earmarked for collaborative giving and those for individual giving. Conversely, the families that struggled had less clearly defined purposes for their philanthropic vehicles–and that ambiguity grew into a source of significant tension over time. At best, it is simply not worth members’ effort to take part; at worst, it creates a contentious environment that worsens family relationships. • Satisfaction with the family foundation is not dependent on it reflecting personal interests or geography. Our research indicates that is not the case: family members were just as satisfied with their experience when the philanthropy reflected their personal interests as when it did not.