How do Family Retreats Improve Philanthropy?
As you think back upon some of your most favorite memories, we’d bet at least some of them involve being with your family members on a special trip when distractions are limited, work is set aside, and time is ample.
What if you could build a powerful memory-making getaway to improve your family foundation? Hoplin Jackson has extensive experience in curating productive yet fun retreats to help family fiduciaries find common ground on the values and goals that underpin their philanthropy.
Scheduling a retreat may be just what your family needs to navigate a thorny situation, reinvigorate your enthusiasm for your foundation’s mission, train new board members, share a specific family legacy, or achieve any number of other goals.
Perhaps you are a part of family that doesn’t always see eye to eye or “robust” conversation leads to a regular stalemate...and getting everyone on the same page seems improbable, if not impossible. Trust us—there’s no judgement here. Finding time to work through complex issues often gets put on the back burner simply to keep up with everyday life.
The intersection of family, foundation, and fiduciary can be tricky with blurred boundaries and extra emotions that can (but shouldn’t!) affect relationships. A strategic getaway for all your family fiduciaries planned by an outside and expert firm like Hoplin Jackson may be just the answer.
A few years ago, a larger private family foundation wanted to establish a pipeline of new family foundation trustees. But, they really didn’t know which family members would be interested, capable, or aligned with donor intent in order to serve in these prestigious positions. The Board made a strategic investment of time and worked with Hoplin Jackson to plan a retreat to bring extended family members together to discuss their family foundation’s priorities—complete with leaders of their favorite nonprofits and unique bonding experiences. They were right! About 50 invited family members traveled to California for a weekend retreat. The combination of special experiences and activities (a visit to an historic Presidential site), sessions & discussions, and shared meals brought clarity to current trustees and inspired future Board members with the family’s goals, values, and priorities.
Another HJ client wants to ensure that, when new trustees join the board, their individual interests are reflected in their foundation’s giving. It’s a family foundation operating in perpetuity that seeks to instill the “art of giving” above all in each of its family members. The foundation reimagines its mission regularly to reflect its changing board. During a family retreat last summer hosted at the lake, newly elected Board members had a chance to work with veteran trustees to draft a new mission statement by working with a professional facilitator. Not only that, but all the family members participated in a scavenger hunt by visiting several of the foundation’s nonprofit partners. From gardens to art centers to music venues, the family members experienced their philanthropy up close together!
Yet another retreat brought several family members—each of whom have their own private foundation—together in the middle of the winter in sunny Florida to discuss their common values and interests. Exceptional nonprofit leaders inspired the family members with innovative ideas. New collaborations were born where compiled resources led to more significant investments and new projects.
Still another client wanted to enhance the “philanthropy IQ” of its youngest family trustees. At a Montana ski resort close to the holidays, the next generation gathered over mugs of hot cocoa for some HJ-led training on conducting nonprofit diligence, understanding the complex private foundation rules of self-dealing and disqualified persons, analyzing an IRS form 990, and their three legal responsibilities as fiduciaries: duties of care, loyalty, and obedience. Unwinding later with some time on the slopes, these young siblings brainstormed ways to be more effective members of their foundation board and got excited about their own giving priorities.
Whether it’s beachside, mountainside, or lakeside, Hoplin Jackson can organize a family retreat for you and your foundation complete with professional facilitation, curated experiences, nonprofit partners, and more. The combination of bonding experiences and time devoted to discuss your philanthropy is a worthwhile investment of your time. Your team at Hoplin Jackson has the experience and skills necessary to navigate complex family dynamics while stewarding your foundation’s unique vision. From the moment you decide to plan a retreat, Hoplin Jackson will handle every last detail, so that you can sit back and look forward to an enjoyable and fulfilling retreat. Reach out here, and we’ll be in touch with you in less than 24 hours: https://hoplinjackson.com/contact.