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Strategic
Planning Services
To secure the value of the family foundation, we provide
essential strategic planning services to founders, family members and
boards of directors.
We will:
- Assist the founder(s) in developing the mission, vision and values
that best reflect his or her core values and philanthropic philosophy,
creating the cornerstone of the foundation and the framework that
gives impetus to the foundation.
- Design the foundation governance, operational plan and succession
strategy. The foundation needs to build a structure that will be effective
and efficient, honoring the legacy of the founder(s) by encouraging
the flexibility, creativity and energy of future generations.
- Develop the guidelines, criteria and procedures of the foundation's
grant-making activities. This is the business of the foundation. Doing
it well assures the greatest impact on the community and greatest
pleasure for the family.
- Provide a family forum to discuss critical issues related to wealth,
values, responsibility and public service. We design and facilitate
one-on-one training and consultations, as well as family retreats
and workshops.
- Facilitate and coordinate the services of the founder's professional
advisors, to assure the consistency of financial, tax and estate planning
strategies with the founder's philanthropic goals.
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Grants Management
Services
The Family and Independent Foundations Division provides experienced administrative support
to make the business of the foundation easier and more enjoyable. To facilitate
this, we:
- Build systems and procedures for in-house grants management.
For those foundations that want to handle the grant making activities
internally, we help identify, compare and design grants administration
and financial accounting software, develop appropriate record keeping
and file maintenance, establish grant monitoring, and assure fiduciary
standards and compliance.
- Offer out-sourcing for grants management and compliance. For
those foundations that prefer not to handle the day-to-day operations,
we are available to respond to inquiries (written, electronic or telephonic),
screen and process grant requests and applications, conduct applicant
site visits, communicate with grantees, monitor pending and completed
grants, and maintain permanent records.
- Provide 24/7 account access. Each foundation can access its account
via our secure, password-protected, and daily-updated Web site. The
account reflects daily asset values, pending and completed grants,
minimum distribution requirements, grant criteria, favorite charities
and other important information available only to foundation-approved
representatives.
- Promote collaboration. We help identify the most worthy projects
within the foundation's scope and focus, coordinate with other foundations
that are providing similar support, and facilitate collaborative grant
making.
- Develop criteria for measuring and monitoring the effectiveness
of grants. Most foundations understand the importance of monitoring
and evaluating their investment results, but few apply this approach
to the performance of their grants. We believe that most foundations
want to impact their community through grants that make a difference.
We help create the systems that demonstrate the results.
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Reporting and
Compliance
Because all foundations are required to report to state and federal agencies,
we are available to manage that responsibility, eliminating the burden
on the family. We will:
- Provide tax information for the foundation's accountant to prepare
state and federal tax returns. Prepare reports for filing with
the appropriate Attorney General and/or Secretary of State of the
state in which the foundation operates.
- Host annual and/or periodic foundation board meetings, and prepare
the necessary minutes of meetings or reports of the board.
- Provide notices, reports and other communications as required for
board members, committee members, affiliated organizations or related
charities.
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Fiduciary Advisory
Services
Foundation directors or trustees have a fiduciary obligation to manage the
assets prudently, impartially and in the best interest of the foundation.
We understand the unique requirements of foundation investments and their
relationship to family wealth. It is good business and good management
to assure compliance and adherence to sound investment policies and procedures.
While we do not manage the foundation's assets, we:
- Assist the board in developing investment policies clarifying investment
objectives, defining risk parameters and determining appropriate strategies.
- Help the board identify and interview investment professionals,
including investment consultants, asset managers, as well as custodians.
- Provide independent and impartial advice to boards and managers,
consistent with written investment policies, as well as state and
federal law.
- Teach board members and family the principles of investments, fiduciary
standards and accountability.
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