Navigating Your Family's Philanthropic Future Across Generations 2022

Introduction

Research Methodology

However, research in contemporary philanthropy does not consider distinctive factors of family philanthropy such as an enterprising family’s non-financial goals or its long-term transgenerational orientation. Furthermore, many enterprising families who are successful in business do not always achieve impact in terms of philanthropy. Although they would not willingly admit it, many philanthropists experience failed grants, failed philanthropic projects or processes. They may also be faced with growing conflicts in the family or the fact that they cannot trace or measure the actual impact of their giving. Therefore, through our research, we have attempted to explore possible answers to the following questions:

Data Collection

What leads to impactful family philanthropy? What are the tradeoffs, dilemmas or conundrums of family philanthropy? How do families leverage philanthropy as an integral part of their wider range of activities within the family, ownership group or businesses?

To identify a comprehensive and insightful sample for our study and to capture the diversity of enterprising families’ philanthropic giving, we conducted semi structured interviews with 70 interviewees. This includes both experienced and novice philanthropists, non-foundation managers and some of their beneficiaries. The families were identified in partnership with FBN International, regional and national chapters from around the world as well as through records of families that have visited IMD over the years.

In this report, we share insights collected from leading philanthropic families from around the globe. We have examined their approach to family philanthropy, opportunities and challenges, as well as the impact of their philanthropy on various levels, such as the cause, the family, business, and society at large.

Sample

The primary source of data is information obtained from semi-structured, in-depth interviews. We explored enterprising families’ philanthropic motivations (why?), the scope of their giving (what?), the extent of their engagement (and their family’s) (who?), and the ways in which they organize their philanthropy (how?). As a result, we were able to capture distinct perspectives on family philanthropy frommultiple angles, for example, that of the various generations of the same family, as well as family members from different family branches. Since our interviewees represent more than eight generations (the three oldest enterprising families interviewed are currently in their 12th, 15th and 77th generation), we were also able to capture inter generational differences on how philanthropy is perceived and how it evolved. Our sample represents a balanced group. Most of our interviewees (58%) have a direct involvement with their legacy family business (either as an owner, a board member or an executive). Several families we spoke to no longer own their legacy business and are now active with their family offices. Fifty-six percent of our interviewees were female and 44%male. They represent 30 countries from 6 continents (Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, and Australia).

8

9

Navigating Your Family’s Philanthropic Future Across Generations

Navigating Your Family’s Philanthropic Future Across Generations