Family foundations are the fastest-growing segment of the philanthropic sector in the U.S. As private foundations, family foundations enjoy a great deal of freedom in how to meet their civic responsibilities and make a difference for good in the world. In pursuing our mission to strengthen the philanthropic community, The Wells Philanthropic Group offers consulting services to family foundations to strengthen governance and develop board alignment, achieve strategic focus, measure outcomes and impact, and increase effectiveness.
Utilizing the Pursuit of Excellence process and assessment tool developed by the National Center of Family Philanthropy, we guide a family foundation in learning about and reflecting upon its structures and practices regarding its legacy, mission, governance, board dynamics, and administrative procedures.
In an interactive environment, we conduct retreats and workshops to clarify vision and mission, strengthen the Board's leadership role, enhance decision-making processes, establish strategic directions, navigate change, develop and implement a viable action plan and, most importantly, achieve their strategic goals.
A foundation's grantmaking program is the tangible expression of a foundation's charter mandate, mission, and work. The Wells Philanthropic Group brings experience and perspective to assist foundations to sharpen their focus and increase their effectiveness.
How can we know when we succeed? Drawing upon recent advances in performance metrics and evaluation techniques, we offer customized processes for analyzing grantee and stakeholder perceptions, assessing the effectiveness of grantmaking programs, and measuring outcomes.
The Wells Philanthropic Group brings a deep understanding of the history and culture of philanthropy to assist the foundation in interpreting, defining, and building an enduring legacy.