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Philanthropy

Think of your family foundation as a family business

July 1, 2004

Some business-owning families believe that family success in philanthropy is much easier than family success in business. Not so. A family foundation still has to pass through the generational stages of involvement and control – with all the associated issues

John L Ward is the Wild Group Professor of Family Business at IMD (Switzerland) and Co-Director of the Center for Family Enterprises at Kellogg School of Management (USA). He serves on the boards of four family companies in Europe and the USA.

Financial corporate governance

January 1, 2003

Good corporate governance should extend to all areas of a family business, including its philanthropic ventures

Robert R Patterson is a member of FBN in Lausanne and is a Principal of ASC Advisory Group, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.

Note: The article is based on several real-life cases, but names have been changed.

Good corporate governance should extend to all areas of a family business, including its philanthropic ventures

Succession, social responsibility and success

January 1, 2003

The FBN conference presented many opportunities for delegates to learn about issues affecting family businesses

Sabine Klein is a Research Fellow at INSEAD Fontainebleau, teaching family business at the University of Trier, and an associate with The Family Business Consulting Group, Marietta, GA, USA.

Justin Craig is a Postgraduate Research Fellow in the Department of Entrepreneurship and Family Business and an Associate of the Australian Centre for Family Business at Bond University in Australia.

Ken Moores is the founding and current Research Director of the Australian Centre for Family Business, Bond University, Australia.

Microfinance: responsible investment for family business

September 1, 2002

Globalisation has revealed the widening gap between the wealthy and the poor of the world. But instead of pouring yet more aid into poverty-stricken areas, responsible investment, in particular the provision of financial services to poor entrepreneurs, has been found to be a more effective social and economic development tool – and a great way for family businesses to give back to society

Melchior de Muralt is Vice President, Blue Orchard Finance Ltd and Partner at Pury Pictet Turrettini &Cie Ltd. Jean-Philippe de Schrevel is Director of Blue Orchard Finance Ltd.

Philanthropy: a revival of private initiative

September 1, 2002

Voluntary contributions to society – philanthropy – is one of the oldest ways an individual can communicate with others. Historically, the role of the state may have seen a gradual decline, but private initiative has now become more important than ever and family businesses should realise the significance of establishing their own philanthropic institutions

Rupert Graf Strachwitz has worked as a consultant to philanthropists and foundations for over 15 years after a career in the not-for-profit sector. In 1989 he founded Maecenata Management, the first consultancy to specialise in this area in Germany. Since 1997, he has been the director of a research institution, the Maecenata Institute for Non-profit Studies. He currently sits on the German Federal Parliamentary Commission on Civic Engagement and serves on the board of a number of foundations at home and abroad.

How entrepreneurial vision can impact philanthropy

April 1, 2002

Many family business owners use their entrepreneurial skills and vision in their philanthropic endeavours. As a result, these ‘philanthropic entrepreneurs’ have challenged traditional charity and set up some of the most successful foundations in the world

Many family business owners use their entrepreneurial skills and vision in their philanthropic endeavours. As a result, these 'philanthropic entrepreneurs' have challenged traditional charity and set up some of the most successful foundations in the world

The AMM Foundation

February 1, 2002

Philanthropy plays a large role in the lives of many family businesses. Through their foundation’s schools and hospitals, the Murugappa family has demonstrated their commitment to Indian society

Why do business-owning families engage in philanthropic activities, and why do such activities take on such importance? When the Murugappa family accepted the IMD Distinguished Family Business Award at the gala dinner celebration in Rome in October 2001, fourth generation Mr Murugu explained: