For families involved in philanthropy, governance is how they organize themselves to make decisions about their giving and demonstrate accountability to themselves and their community. While governance is too often equated with compliance and boring board meetings, it is, in fact, a dynamic and creative process at the heart of family engagement and impact.
Sharilyn Hale was the Caribbean region editor for the The 2025 Global Philanthropy Environment Index: Caribbean Regional Report.
We are proud to share recent insights from Dr. Sharilyn Hale, a valued advisor at our firm, who recently co-authored a compelling article for Canadian Family Offices. In the piece, titled “Mind the gap: Philanthropy and Canada’s high-net-worth data deficit,” Sharilyn and co-author Keith Sjögren shed light on a critical blind spot within Canada’s charitable sector: the glaring lack of data surrounding high-net-worth (HNW) philanthropists.
For many, family philanthropy presents an opportunity to create a shared experience, unifying the
family by working together toward a lasting legacy of impact. Family philanthropy can also give
participants an opportunity to explore and cultivate their personal—and sometimes separate—
philanthropic passions
Before establishing a family foundation for the purpose of collective giving, it is imperative that families consider their ability to find common purpose and work together productively. A collective approach to giving should build on a foundation of social capital, rather than be a driving tool to create it.
“A thorough and powerful work, Generations of Giving: Leadership and Continuity in Family Foundations demands.
In this episode of the LGA Lighthouse podcast, host Tim Yeung interviews Ashley Blanchard, a Partner at LGA and an expert in family philanthropy. Drawing on her co-authored study with Wendy Ulaszek for the National Center for Family Philanthropy, Ashley shares insights on how families can successfully engage the next generation, balance individual interests with collective purpose, and navigate the journey of professionalizing their philanthropic efforts.
Family philanthropy offers families the opportunity to work together in service of a greater good—and in so doing, strengthen family relationships, transform individual participants, and address pressing social problems. But in today’s evolving landscape, family foundations—particularly more established ones—face a critical internal reckoning. More and more in our work with philanthropic families, we see family members questioning their roles and wondering if their contributions are truly meaningful. This introspection, fueled by a growing emphasis on equity and impact, raises a fundamental question: What is the value of our family in our family philanthropy now?
Family philanthropy offers families the opportunity to work together in service of a greater good—and in so doing, strengthen family relationships, transform individual participants, and address pressing social problems. But in today’s evolving landscape, family foundations—particularly more established ones—face a critical internal reckoning. More and more in our work with philanthropic families, we see family members questioning their roles and wondering if their contributions are truly meaningful. This introspection, fueled by a growing emphasis on equity and impact, raises a fundamental question: What is the value of our family in our family philanthropy now?
Tools for the next generation to approach the retirement conversation tactfully with patience, strategy and smarts.
