Statistics on Family Foundation Giving
by Jessica High

In 2006, family foundation giving jumped 21%. These foundations often are untapped resources so nonprofits need to learn more about the statistics behind these foundations.

In a 2008 report called Key Facts On Foundations, nearly 35,000 family foundations were analyzed. These groups were selected if they had “ “family” or “families” in their name, a living donor with a surname that matches the foundation’s name, or a foundation with at least two trustee surnames that match a living or deceased donor’s name.” This criteria is used because family foundations are not legally distinctive from independent foundations.

 These 35,000 foundations made up 59% of all independent foundations’ giving. However, the report also notes that 49% of these foundations gave below $50,000. There is a broad capacity for funding with these foundations.

 This report found that the types of organizations favored by these foundations were health and education organizations. “Education was the top priority in three of the country’s four main regions,” the report states.

 Many of these foundations are relatively new. 67% of these foundations have been founded since 1990. 27% have been founded since 2000. Since these foundations are newer, most have assets fewer than $1 million. This can be one of the reasons for the lower total giving amounts.

 As these foundations age, their leadership will increase. The report states that “board size tends to increase as foundations age, with the median number of 2006 board members reaching 7 to those established pre-1940 and 3 for those established in the last six years.”

 To read the complete set of statistics, click here

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