By: Darcy Addison, Partner and Advisor As we step into a new year, it’s natural to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future. (Get to the gym more, anyone?) But what if we set intentions for how we show up in our community too? The holidays typically bring a surge of generosity […]

By: Leslie Gross, Senior Advisor A foundation trustee called me last week, voice tight with frustration: “Our strategic plan commits us to equity. Our grantmaking advances equity. But now we’re being told to scrub ‘equity’ from everything we touch. How do we stay true to who we are?” Here’s what I told her and what […]

By: Kaky Grant, Principal and Founder For philanthropic families, ensuring the continuity and vitality of their giving is a profound responsibility. It’s not just about assets; it’s about sustaining and translating a legacy of impact and shared values across generations. In this critical endeavor, one of the most effective succession planning tools is the creation […]

By: Darcy Addison, Partner Thanksgiving is a time of gathering, gratitude, and sharing our abundance. Growing up in Chicago, my family would pile in our car for the exciting, yet brief drive to Milwaukee to see my Grandma Mimi’s side of the family. Dozens of cousins, aunts, uncles, the matriarchs and patriarchs of the family, […]

“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” – Maya Angelou Inheriting or building significant wealth can bring both opportunity and a unique set of pressures, sometimes leaving a family feeling overwhelmed. It calls into question a new set of priorities, how and where to […]

“Skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” – Walter Gretzky (father of celebrated hockey player, Wayne Gretzky) The next chapter of family philanthropy promises to be one of both complexity and opportunity. As the field continues to evolve—driven by the growing influence of women and rising generation, serious […]

At Grant Philanthropic Advisors, we have the privilege of helping philanthropic families set up their charitable giving vehicles and define their values and mission. We also help families pass the torch of leadership from one generation to the next as it relates to family philanthropy. Often, this is from the founding generation to the next.  […]

By: Porter Durham, GPA Partner Funding Quandaries  For any professional, being drawn into a “real life” conversation with folks who don’t know what you do for a living, and then hearing them out on their issues of the day, can be a thought-provoking eye-opener. When it happens in a thoughtful exchange of ideas, the conversation […]

“What is my life’s purpose? How do I use my resources and talents to live into my purpose?” In our work with philanthropic families, we’ve noticed a desire for families to engage in meaningful conversations around this topic. It is more than a conversation about wealth preservation—the bigger conversation is grounded in how to use […]

As we’ve observed significant pullbacks in government funding from the nonprofit sector, we’re hearing comments and questions grounded in fear and also genuine curiosity.  “Whose job is it anyway to care for the most vulnerable in our country?” “Philanthropy will never be able to fill the gaps of large scale government assistance and interventions – […]

“As our case is new, so must we think anew and act anew.” Abraham Lincoln Lincoln was right of course. And were he with us today, he might say something similar, not about an impending civil war, but about how family philanthropies can adjust positively to a new “case.” As we reported in Part I […]

Philanthropic decision-making is more complex and critical than ever. Donors are asking deeper questions, grantees are navigating urgent challenges, and impact requires more than good intentions. It requires clarity, coordination and a strategic approach. That’s why we built Stratlas: a digital tool designed exclusively for our clients to bring structure, insight and geographic visibility to […]

I have been in the business of philanthropy for 24 years and I have never observed such seismic shifts in the sector. Some shifts we have seen coming for a long time, like the Great Wealth Transfer and passing of the baton of family leadership from Baby Boomers to Gen X and Millennials. Other shifts […]

In philanthropy, data isn’t just numbers—it’s about people, lives, communities, and impact. As family foundations and philanthropists increasingly focus on outcomes, transparency, and strategic giving, how that data is understood becomes just as important as what the data says. Your giving data may be meticulously tracked in a spreadsheet, but without visual storytelling, the tracked […]

“What will happen to our family foundation when our parents, aunts and uncles don’t want to lead it anymore? I am not sure I know how to govern our family foundation.” “Can my children properly steward our family foundation to lead it well into the future? They’re not ready yet; they need a roadmap to […]

How long should your family’s philanthropic mission and impact exist? Should you focus your giving efforts while you’re alive to maximize impact? Should your philanthropic mission extend beyond you for a set number of years to be managed by your family or close family advisors? Does your philanthropic strategy lend itself to a perpetual model? […]

“If you’ve seen one family foundation, you’ve seen one family foundation.” This maxim accurately captures the complexity and uniqueness of family philanthropy. Acknowledging this, there are common threads in the typical evolution of family foundations. Families face similar points of inflection as they gain experience in their grantmaking and their own families change shape through […]

“How much is enough to leave my children and grandchildren?” This is a common question posed in the estate planning process and it is not an easy one to answer. You want to keep your family hungry to find their purpose in life while also providing a cushion for your family to take risks and […]

Adding a new professional into the mix of a family foundation can be a complex process. Having a search firm lead the process can be the difference maker in finding the right executive for your foundation. Considerations in successful hiring include a probable shift in staff culture and building a healthy rapport with the family […]

You may find yourself at a crossroads; the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors are rapidly changing. Changes in policy, funding streams and community needs make for challenging circumstances for effective philanthropy. Whether you are part of a philanthropic or a foundation staff seeking to maximize impact, navigating the philanthropic landscape has never been more complex. A […]

Effective philanthropy doesn’t happen in a vacuum. For individuals and families looking to align their giving with their financial and legacy goals, collaboration among key advisors is essential. At Grant Philanthropic Advisors, we take a holistic approach, working closely with wealth advisors, tax and estate planning attorneys, and CPAs to ensure that philanthropy is integrated […]

In reflecting on women’s history month, I have been thinking a lot about my grandmother. She was a guiding light for me and my sister. She personified grace, intellectual curiosity and selflessness. Her conversations with us revolved around current events and community needs. She encouraged me and my sister to think critically, to speak our […]

One thing is abundantly clear, we are living in the middle of major economic and policy disruption affecting the nonprofit sector which ties directly into the philanthropic community. Everyday, I look at the news and learn about new policy changes impacting our sector and corresponding legal action. How do you make sense of it all […]

Why does Due Diligence matter? Building a strategic nonprofit portfolio requires more than just selecting causes that resonate with personal values. To ensure long-term impact, donors must conduct thoughtful due diligence to assess whether organizations are well-governed, financially stable, and delivering meaningful results. A strong philanthropic strategy is built on informed decision-making—one that goes beyond […]

Philanthropy is most effective when guided by strategy, intentionality, and a deep understanding of the organizations being supported. For philanthropists looking to maximize their impact, curating a well-rounded nonprofit portfolio is essential. Imagine a funnel—there are thousands of local nonprofits working to make the world a better place. Creating a strategic philanthropic portfolio requires funders […]

Philanthropy has the power to transform lives, communities, and the world. However, as philanthropists navigate the complexities of giving, particularly during times of change or growth, they often discover the need for expert guidance to make their impact as effective and meaningful as possible. This is where a philanthropic advisor comes in. A Partner in […]

Philanthropy is more than writing a check or making a donation. It’s a deeply personal journey that reflects your values, passions, and vision for change. However, achieving meaningful and lasting impact requires more than good intentions. It calls for a thoughtful, well-crafted philanthropic strategic plan. Giving vehicles are growing at a tremendous rate as well […]

Our role in raising kind, empathetic kids today has never been harder. As parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, mentors, it can be a challenge to pull a kid outside of themselves to build understanding of the outside world.  We, at GPA, are of the mind that it is never too early to start building muscles […]

As a philanthropist, you have the exhilarating opportunity to maximize your impact with your charitable dollars, your time and your connections. Early on in the planning phase, you may consider: Should I focus on a specific issue or a specific place to drive my philanthropic efforts? Or maybe it is a combination of the two. […]

In 2019, I had a kernel of an idea to help philanthropists in their strategic decision making. Today, we’ve served dozens of clients and grown to a team of 8 to provide an objective, independent point of view on philanthropy advising. You have been critical in our journey as a firm – thank you! Today, the need […]

When natural disasters like Hurricane Helene strike, the devastation can be overwhelming. Communities face displacement, businesses suffer losses, and infrastructure can be crippled. In times like these, companies have a unique opportunity to step up, providing crucial resources and leadership in disaster response and recovery efforts. An inspiring example is The Biltmore Estate’ response to […]

What is a Learning Journey? A learning journey is a series of intentionally planned experiences with thought leaders in the field of philanthropy. It is more than just going on site visits. You may want to go deeper in understanding your role as an effective funder in a specific area. How can you work smarter […]

In a world that often prioritizes individual success, the concept of family legacy and philanthropy stands as a beacon of inspiration. By embracing philanthropy as a core element of their legacy, families can create a ripple effect of positive change that spans generations. Spending time to define what your legacy is and means to you […]

Regular connection with the nonprofit community is critical to being an effective philanthropist. One of the most immersive ways to be effective is to conduct site visits at nonprofit organizations. These visits provide a firsthand look at how nonprofits operate, the communities they serve, and the tangible outcomes of their programs.  Site visits can broaden […]

Aristotle once said, “To give money away is an easy matter and in any man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how much, and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man’s power nor an easy matter.” This question has been posed since the dawn of time. […]

When is the right time to engage a philanthropic advisor to achieve effective and lasting results? You and your family may be exploring estate and tax planning strategies with your advisors. Philanthropy and social impact are likely a part of the conversation. You are asking big questions about legacy planning and how to take care […]

Why do you want to invest your time working with an independent philanthropic advisor? As the great wealth transfer is taking place, working with an independent philanthropic advisor can help accelerate an effective philanthropic process as assets are changing hands. Advisors work collaboratively with you and your advising team to reach your collective financial goals. […]