In honor of our association’s 20th anniversary and the passionate leaders who have helped us grow along the way, we are pleased to feature a regular blog series this year dedicated to the reflections of our founders, early board members, and others with long careers in philanthropy. What has changed in the field—and in their giving—over the past decades? What has remained the same? Join us at the 2016 National Conference, September 26-28 in Chicago, to celebrate our 20th anniversary >>

By Nancy Colina, The Colina Foundation

Changes, changes, changes. “The only thing constant is change.” So we must grow and adapt, or become irrelevant. The opposite is stagnation and has no future.

As with most foundations, ours has undergone changes over the past nearly 24 years of our existence—some subtle, some not so subtle. There are three areas into which most of these changes fall: focus, geography, and governance.

Focus. Our mission statement, “Helping Children,” is intentionally broad, which has allowed us much latitude in incorporating evolving interests. When we started in 1992, we addressed largely the educational needs of all children, but particularly those in schools, which meant ages 5-18. The more we studied and learned, the clearer it became that we must start much younger, and that early childhood issues are the key to a healthy population and a stronger nation. Since 85% of the brain development takes place by age 3, we determined to look at how we might promote education, nutrition, and a healthy life for all our citizens, starting early and building a strong base. Strengthening that focus, and concentrating the bulk of our funds to that effort, has been one of the biggest changes we’ve undergone.

Watch Nancy describe a past foundation grant with unintended—and outsized—results:

Geography. We began serving the small geographic area in southeast Michigan in which we live. As the second generation moved away and are no longer part of that community, we realized that their involvement would be strengthened if the foundation addressed needs in their communities as well. Therefore, we instituted Satellite Grants, whereby we designated a percentage of funds to be allocated in communities where our trustees live. (This is separate from our Trustee Designated Grants, which are an opportunity for trustees to donate to a nonprofit of their choice.) Satellite Grants must go to a project that has submitted a proposal that fits within our guidelines and mission. The downside, of course, is that it takes money away from the area of Generation 1. The upside is that it engages the 2nd and 3rd generations in more meaningful ways with the needs of their communities. The bottom line is that the needs of children are still being served, which is our overall mission. We see this as a step toward providing for the long-term viability of the foundation.

Governance. Board composition is the third area where we’ve undergone a change. When we founded our foundation, we named as trustees only those related by blood. That meant specifically, my husband and I as the donor generation, and our two adult daughters. After about one year, it was gently pointed out by our daughter at one of our annual meetings that she and her sister had a hard time getting too interested in the foundation, as meetings and conferences necessitated taking time away from their families; they would go home to families not involved in the foundation; and any conversations held as a foundation would just die there at the meeting.

If spouses were involved, she said, it would be more inclusive, and the term “family foundation” would gain new meaning, as it could be an endeavor by the entire family. Granted, ours is a small family, so we need to muster all the support we can garner. Including spouses has enriched us by adding the skills of two others (in-laws) who bring differing perspectives from their own particular backgrounds. Having sought advice from others who have had spouses on board—and who were presented with a dilemma when a marriage dissolved—we hedged our bets by naming our sons-in-law to the board with one-year renewable terms. Happily, we’ve been able to continue on with our expanded board.

Further, when our eldest grandchild turned 18, he was named as a full trustee. When our only other grandchild turns 18 this year, she too will be made a board member. Prior to their entry onto the board in full standing, we have attempted to include them in each meeting by having a place on the agenda for “Youth Comments,” where they are invited to report on any charitable activities they had undertaken, for which we allocated a $10 per hour sweat equity grant. The benefit of this, in addition to helping the nonprofit involved, is a chance for the youth to participate in a meaningful way and gain familiarity with the workings of the foundation.

So how has the field of philanthropy in general changed over the past quarter century? Certainly there is more openness and more collaboration. As people began to realize that there are big issues involved, and that we can best address them by joining forces, there has been a coming together of funders large and small who all have a role to play in helping make this a better place. Another change is in the willingness to fund general operating expenses, with the realization that sustainability of good organizations is essential for them to do their work. Not glamorous, but essential.

What has stayed the same? The presence of caring people who sincerely want to make the world a better place, the search for better ways of doing things, and the excitement of being a part of finding solutions.

See also: 20 Years: A Great Time for Reflection

The Colina Foundation was founded by John and Nancy Colina and grants primarily in areas where trustees live (Mattawan, Michigan, and Fort Collins, Colorado) and where the foundation originated, Southwestern Wayne County, Michigan.