Why Families

Families and Philanthropy

The impulse to engage in philanthropy often comes from one family member before it turns into a family project. Philanthropy is plural and the reasons to involve the family are as varied as families themselves. However, more often than not there is a common thread in longing for unity, preserving family traditions and values as well as the desire to learn.

As such, philanthropy can become a common ground, or a sort of neutral ground that can include parents, children, partners, and grandchildren in a project that is not the family business. In other words, it becomes a place for encounters, dialogues, and exchanges of shared altruistic interests. It provides a space to create new conversation topics, especially around intangible values and offers the opportunity for personal growth. In an increasingly rapidly changing cultural, economic and social context, sharing a common family project can bridge geographic distances as well as generational gaps.

Philanthropy can also become a natural expression of personal and spiritual values of family entrepreneurs. The long-term vision and development of their business is anchored in the sustainable creation of value and wealth for the benefit of their descendants and society at large. Philanthropy can translate this desire to give back to society and leave a strong family legacy.

Unifying a family around a philanthropic project is an on-going process. Our experience working with families has shown that many of them raise questions on reoccurring topics throughout this journey. Some of the key issues encountered are:

  • How do we create a legacy for our family?
  • How do we involve the next generation?
  • Who should be included from our family?
  • Is our approach and what we are doing ‘right’?
  • Which structure best fits our needs?
  • What happens at the end of a project?
  • What are the connections between the family and the business and how do we take them into account?

 

Families in Philanthropy is an exclusive event that provides the opportunity to meet other donors and exchange with them.